Deck 3: Introduction to the Atmosphere

Question 1

Which of the following can be found lowest in the atmosphere?

A) exosphere
B) tropopause
C) thermosphere
D) ionosphere
E) ozone layer

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following is true of CFCs?

A) They are now the most dominant gases in the stratosphere.
B) They are now banned by international treaty.
C) They are not able to exist for long in the atmosphere.
D) They have disappeared in the atmosphere.
E) They are very toxic to humans.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

It is really improper to discuss or classify climate with any record less than _ .

A) 100 years
B) several weeks
C) several decades
D) 1 year
E) 5 years

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT associated with particulates?

A) sunlight reflection
B) breakdown of the ozone layer
C) cause clouds to form
D) may remain suspended for months or years
E) sunlight absorption

Question 5

The source of heating in the thermosphere is the absorption of _ .

A) visible energy from the Sun
B) light rays reflected from the Earth
C) infrared rays from the Earth
D) ultraviolet rays from the Sun
E) infrared rays from the Sun

Question 6

If one were 30 kilometers above sea level, one would be in the part of the atmosphere known as the

A) mesosphere.
B) heterosphere.
C) stratosphere.
D) exosphere.
E) troposphere.

Question 7

Nitrogen is the component of the atmosphere in terms of volume.

A) main
B) third
C) second
D) fifth
E) fourth

Question 8

The middle latitudes are dominated by wind flows which are mainly from the _ .

A) north
B) west
C) south
D) Arctic
E) east

Question 9

About 10,000 kilometers above the surface is the upper limit of the .

A) homosphere
B) troposphere
C) thermosphere
D) atmosphere
E) none of the above

Question 10

Vertical mixing and turbulence are most characteristic of the .

A) thermosphere
B) mesosphere
C) troposphere
D) exosphere
E) stratosphere

Question 11

Which of the following is an important source of particles in the atmosphere?

A) soot from fires
B) volcanic eruptions
C) emissions from engines
D) salt from the sea
E) all of the above

Question 12

"Weather" and "climate"

A) differ in that "weather" is studied in Geography and "climate" is not.
B) refer to the atmosphere as studied on different time scales.
C) describe the day- to- day state of the atmosphere.
D) are synonymous terms.
E) are terms which cannot be used in science.

Question 13

The main impact of ozone on life on the Earth's surface is to .

A) serve as nucleus for cloud formation
B) act as a lid preventing gases from escape
C) reduce ultraviolet solar radiation
D) provide oxygen for the atmosphere
E) to initiate violent storms

Question 14

is (are) a source of chlorofluorocarbons.

A) Air conditioning
B) Aerosol sprays
C) Human- produced chemicals
D) Manufacture of plastics
E) all of the above

Question 15

Oxygen (O2) is being added to the atmosphere by

A) animal decomposition.
B) vegetation.
C) solar radiation.
D) the burning of coal.
E) meteorites.

Question 16

A variable gas in the atmosphere nearly absent from the higher elevations is .

A) water vapor
B) sulfur dioxide
C) carbon dioxide
D) carbon monoxide
E) ozone

Question 17

The smallest atmospheric particles can remain suspended in the atmosphere for a period of

A) days.
B) seconds.
C) years.
D) minutes.
E) hours.

Question 18

The segment of the atmosphere in which gases maintain an approximately uniform composition is the .

A) exosphere
B) stratosphere
C) ionosphere
D) troposphere
E) homosphere

Question 19

In terms of atmospheric change, which of the following is TRUE?

A) The carbon dioxide problem is now solved.
B) Humans are adding impurities to the atmosphere at a rate previously unknown.
C) International treaties have been able to halt climate change.
D) The ozone hole problem is now solved.
E) Change has never occurred.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT gaseous in the atmosphere?

A) helium
B) argon
C) water vapor
D) clouds
E) neon

Question 21

Clouds owe their existence to the presence of atmospheric .

A) oxygen
B) carbon dioxide
C) argon
D) sunlight
E) particles

Question 22

Which of the following statements about the atmosphere is TRUE?

A) Temperature decreases uniformly with height.
B) Pressure increases with elevation.
C) Most of its mass is relatively close to the ground.
D) It has a sharply defined top called the atmopause.
E) It is well- mixed from bottom to top

Question 23

Which of the following substances is closely associated with the breakdown of the ozone layer?

A) chlorofluorocarbons
B) water vapor
C) nitrogen oxides
D) carbon dioxide
E) infrared radiation

Question 24

The part of the atmosphere that contains "weather" and supports life

A) is very shallow.
B) extends about as high above the Earth as the distance from Earth's surface to its center (radius).
C) consists of a chemical called "air".
D) is the hottest part of the atmosphere.
E) consists largely of oxygen.

Question 25

The most important feature of ozone in the ozone layer is .

A) it purifies the air's contents of pollutants
B) its role in cloud formation
C) it absorbs ultraviolet energy
D) it is the source of atmospheric oxygen
E) it reflects sunlight

Question 26

The approximate outer boundary of the atmosphere extends outward at least kilometers above the surface.

A) 2,500
B) 5,000
C) 6,000
D) 1,000
E) 10,000

Question 27

The normal percent of water vapor in dry air is percent.

A) 5- 10
B) 0- 4
C) 45- 50
D) 15- 20
E) 25- 30

Question 28

The Montreal Protocol of 1987 was an international treaty to halt the production of

A) water vapor
B) chlorofluorocarbons
C) carbon dioxide
D) automobiles
E) nuclear weapons

Question 29

On the average, the tropopause is highest above the surface over the .

A) Arctic Circle
B) North Pole
C) Equator
D) South Pole
E) Antarctic Circle

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT considered a climatic control?

A) general circulation of oceans
B) latitude
C) temperature
D) distribution of land and water
E) topographic barriers

Question 31

The lower 80 kilometers or so in the atmosphere in which gases are found in uniform proportions is the .

A) stratosphere
B) ionosphere
C) heterosphere
D) homosphere
E) exosphere

Question 32

Ozone is destroyed by CFCs because the _ in the CFCs combines with oxygen.

A) chlorine
B) flourine
C) carbon dioxide
D) liquids
E) dust

Question 33

Which atmospheric layer is directly above the tropopause?

A) exosphere.
B) mesosphere.
C) troposphere.
D) thermosphere.
E) stratosphere.

Question 34

Most surface winds in the Tropics .

A) originate in the Sahara
B) originate in the Australian desert
C) come from the east
D) originate in the Amazon basin
E) come from the west

Question 35

The influence on climate of carbon dioxide is mainly due to its ability to absorb .

A) water
B) helium
C) infrared radiation
D) argon
E) ions

Question 36

The warm zone near the top of the stratosphere is the result of heating from

A) atmospheric pollution.
B) thermal infrared emissions from clouds.
C) the output of volcanoes.
D) the rise of air.
E) the absorption of solar energy.

Question 37

Which of the following is a major source of nitrogen in the atmosphere?

A) photosynthesis
B) chlorofluorocarbons
C) the breakdown of ozone
D) decay of organic matter
E) meteorite collisions

Question 38

Which of the following is NOT a "weather element"?

A) temperature
B) moisture
C) latitude
D) wind
E) pressure

Question 39

Which is a danger of increased ultraviolet exposure at the Earth's surface?

A) The diminishing of yields in many crops.
B) The killing of microorganisms on the ocean surface.
C) The increase of skin cancer in humans.
D) The suppression of the human immune system.
E) all of the above

Question 40

Air is best described as a(n)

A) chemical compound.
B) colloid.
C) mixture.
D) element.
E) particulate.

Question 41

Ozone is actually

A) more healthy to breathe than is oxygen.
B) a form of carbon dioxide.
C) three- atomed oxygen.
D) a pollutant caused by the burning of fossil fuels.
E) the most common substance in the troposphere.

Question 42

is(are) crucial to the formation of clouds in the atmosphere.

A) Lightning
B) Argon
C) Ozone
D) Particulates
E) Neon

Question 43

The coldest temperature in the atmosphere can be found at the .

A) exopause
B) thermopause
C) mesopause
D) tropopause
E) stratospause

Question 44

The stratosphere derives its name from which property?

A) It is the layer closest to the ground.
B) It is a layer with little vertical mixing.
C) It is the coldest layer of the atmosphere.
D) It is the layer with the most clouds.
E) It is the hottest layer of the atmosphere.

Question 45

The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is

A) approximately 75%.
B) approximately 50%.
C) a small fraction of 1%.
D) approximately 10%.
E) approximately 30%.

Question 46

Water vapor is nearly absent .

A) in the atmosphere over sea surfaces
B) in the atmosphere over land surfaces
C) in the troposphere
D) in the lower reaches of the atmosphere
E) in the upper reaches of the atmosphere

Question 47

The homosphere includes the lowest kilometers of the atmosphere.

A) 0.8
B) 800
C) 80
D) 8,000
E) 8

Question 48

One half of the atmosphere lies below the elevation of kilometers.

A) 5.6
B) 5,600
C) 56
D) 0.56
E) 560

Question 49

It is thought that the Earth's climate is being changed rapidly by

A) increased oxygen content.
B) human- caused releases of impurities.
C) dust from volcanoes.
D) natural sources of change.
E) decreases in carbon dioxide.

Question 50

Mountains act as major climatic barriers with the sheltered or _ side receiving less moisture than the exposed side.

A) leeward
B) struck
C) windward
D) Coriolis
E) north

Question 51

is (are) responsible for placing oxygen in the atmosphere.

A) Plants
B) Chlorofluorocarbons
C) Automobile exhaust
D) Lightning strikes
E) Burning

Question 52

Which of the following exists highest in the atmosphere?

A) troposphere.
B) mesopause.
C) stratosphere.
D) tropopause.
E) stratopause.

Question 53

Over warm oceans, water vapor comprises about percent of the volume of the atmosphere.

A) 4
B) 10
C) 1
D) 50
E) 25

Question 54

Which of the following makes up more than 10% of the mass of the atmosphere?

A) Water vapor
B) Hydrogen
C) Argon
D) Nitrogen
E) Helium

Question 55

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of air?

A) It is tasteless.
B) It is colorless.
C) It is mostly packed close to the Earth's surface.
D) It is a chemical compound.
E) It is odorless.

Question 56

Some particulates absorb the water vapor around them. They are said to be .

A) hydrophobic
B) heavy
C) hygroscopic
D) precipitation
E) gases

Question 57

The is the layer of the atmosphere where electrified atoms are plentiful.

A) stratosphere
B) troposphere
C) ionosphere
D) thermosphere
E) exosphere

Question 58

Which of the following best describes the atmosphere at any single location on a day- to- day basis?

A) Particulates are constant.
B) The major components vary widely.
C) Water vapor is constant.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 59

The main component of the lower atmosphere by total volume is _ .

A) argon
B) oxygen
C) helium
D) nitrogen
E) water vapor

Question 60

The climatic controls include all but which of the following?

A) the general circulation of the ocean currents
B) altitude
C) latitude
D) the distribution of land and water
E) the plane of the Equator

Question 61

A "hole" in the ozone layer was first discovered over

A) Antarctica
B) Hollywood
C) the Equator
D) the United States
E) Africa

Question 62

Chlorine in the stratosphere will turn ozone directly into

A) chlorofluorocarbons.
B) smog.
C) oxygen (O2).
D) nitrogen.
E) air.

Question 63

A main absorber of ultraviolet radiation in the atmosphere is .

A) argon
B) dust
C) ozone
D) neon
E) carbon dioxide

Question 64

The present atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide is approximately 380 .

A) parts per billion
B) parts per hundred
C) parts per million
D) parts per thousand
E) parts per trillion

Question 65

Argon is the most plentiful gas in the atmosphere.

A) fifth
B) fourth
C) third
D) second
E) single

Question 66

The side of a mountain sheltered from prevailing winds is the .

A) coriolis
B) windward
C) sunnier
D) meridional
E) leeward

Question 67

The atmospheric layer in which gases do not maintain a uniform composition is the .

A) troposphere
B) ionosphere
C) heterosphere
D) homosphere
E) none of the above

Question 68

In the atmosphere, the temperature decreases with increasing altitude in the and the .

A) thermosphere, mesosphere
B) mesosphere, stratosphere
C) stratosphere, troposphere
D) troposphere, mesosphere
E) mesosphere, stratosphere

Question 69

At an elevation of 16 kilometers (in the lower stratosphere), atmospheric pressure is approximately one- of what it is at the surface.

A) thousandth
B) quarter
C) hundredth
D) half
E) tenth

Question 70

With the exception of water vapor, is the most plentiful of the variable gases in the atmosphere.

A) sulfur dioxide
B) carbon dioxide
C) ozone
D) argon
E) carbon monoxide

Question 71

Which of the following climatic controls can be considered to be the "most important"?

A) longitude
B) latitude
C) storms
D) distribution of land and water
E) elevation

Question 72

Which of the following would be most variable at your location on a day- to- day basis?

A) water vapor
B) nitrogen
C) oxygen
D) carbon dioxide
E) They all vary.

Question 73

The exosphere marks the outward limit of the _.

A) atmosphere
B) thermosphere
C) stratosphere
D) troposphere
E) geosphere

Question 74

The segment of the atmosphere which blends into interplanetary space is called the .

A) troposphere
B) stratosphere
C) thermosphere
D) mesosphere
E) exosphere

Question 75

A major characteristic of the troposphere is the _ .

A) increase of pressure with altitude
B) decrease of temperature with increasing altitude
C) total absence of water vapor
D) the hottest temperatures in the atmosphere
E) presence of the ozone layer

Question 76

Which of the following is an important function of Earth's atmosphere?

A) supplies the oxygen for life
B) screens out much of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation
C) maintains a water supply
D) insulates the surface against temperature extremes
E) all of the above

Question 77

The "hole" in the Antarctic ozone

A) should disappear very soon.
B) was never proven to have existed.
C) is invisible to satellite observations.
D) persists longer and longer each year.
E) has now disappeared.

Question 78

Which of the following is NOT a natural characteristic of the troposphere?

A) is the lowest layer of the atmosphere
B) contains most of the atmospheric water vapor
C) has the hottest temperatures in the atmosphere
D) is the layer associated with "weather"
E) has the highest pressures in the atmosphere

Question 79

Oxygen is the component of the atmosphere in terms of volume.

A) fifth
B) fourth
C) main
D) second
E) third

Question 80

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the atmosphere?

A) It is poorly mixed in the heterosphere.
B) It is not readily compressed.
C) It is very well mixed near the Earth's surface.
D) It has clouds which float in it.
E) It contains water vapor.