Deck 1: The Earths Atmosphere

Question 1

Which of the following is an example of condensation?

A) water vapor formation
B) cloud droplet formation
C) photosynthesis
D) ice formation

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Average atmospheric CO₂ concentrations have ____ over the past 100 years.

A) slightly decreased
B) remained constant
C) significantly decreased
D) increased

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Atmospheric concentrations of ____ can vary significantly depending on time and location.

A) hydrogen
B) water vapor
C) helium
D) argon

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Tiny solid or liquid suspended atmospheric particles of various composition are called ____.

A) aerosols
B) carcinogens
C) greenhouse gases
D) chlorofluorocarbons

Question 5

The earth's first atmosphere (approximately 4.6 billion years ago) was most likely composed of ____.

A) nitrogen and oxygen
B) hydrogen and helium
C) carbon dioxide and nitrogen
D) oxygen and carbon dioxide

Question 6

The primary source of water vapor and carbon dioxide to the earth's early atmosphere was most likely ____.

A) photosynthesis
B) ozone reactions
C) outgassing
D) nitrogen chemical reactions

Question 7

Which gases in the upper atmosphere shields the earth's surface from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays?

A) nitrogen
B) methane
C) ozone
D) chlorofluorocarbons

Question 8

A radiosonde ____.

A) measures particulate matter in the atmosphere
B) monitors surface weather conditions in remote areas
C) measures the vertical distribution of atmospheric temperature, pressure, and humidity
D) uses radio waves to determine the height of the ionosphere

Question 9

Jet streams are found within the ____.

A) thermosphere
B) tropopause
C) stratopause
D) exosphere

Question 10

Which gas is responsible for the temperature inversion in the stratosphere?

A) carbon dioxide
B) nitrogen
C) ozone
D) argon

Question 11

The vertical profile of ____ is variable in each layer of the earth's atmosphere.

A) air temperature
B) air pressure
C) altitude
D) air density

Question 12

The only substance found naturally in the lower atmosphere that can exist as a solid, a liquid, and a gas is ____.

A) carbon dioxide
B) water
C) methane
D) ozone

Question 13

Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere through the process of ____.

A) fuel combustion
B) respiration
C) volcanic activity
D) photosynthesis

Question 14

All of the weather we are familiar with on the earth occurs in the ____.

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

Question 15

The most abundant gases in the earth's present day atmosphere (by volume) are ____.

A) carbon dioxide and nitrogen
B) oxygen and water vapor
C) nitrogen and oxygen
D) oxygen and helium

Question 16

The greenhouse effect is directly enhanced by ____.

A) photosynthesis
B) energy absorption by atmospheric water vapor particles
C) chemical weathering
D) carbon dioxide dissolution in the oceans

Question 17

Air molecules are held near the earth's surface by ____.

A) solar radiation
B) gravity
C) cloud cover
D) moisture
E) temperature

Question 18

The "ozone hole" is observed above ____.

A) the equator
B) Australia
C) Antarctica
D) Asia
E) the Arctic

Question 19

In a temperature inversion, air temperature ____.

A) increases with increasing height
B) decreases with increasing height
C) increases with decreasing height
D) remains constant with increasing height

Question 20

Near the earth's surface, ____ occupies about 78% and ____ about 21% of the total volume of dry air.

A) nitrogen; oxygen
B) hydrogen; oxygen
C) oxygen; hydrogen
D) nitrogen; water vapor
E) hydrogen; helium

Question 21

Lines of latitude on a map represent the ____.

A) distance east or west from the prime meridian
B) distance north or south from the equator
C) distance north or south from the prime meridian
D) distance east or west from the equator

Question 22

The boundary that separates sharp changes in temperature, humidity, and wind direction is known as a(n) ____.

A) front
B) anticyclone
C) posterior ridge
D) anterior ridge

Question 23

A towering cloud, or cluster of clouds, accompanied by thunder, lightning, strong gusty winds, and heavy rain is called a(n)____.

A) hurricane
B) cyclone
C) thunderstorm
D) tornado

Question 24

Middle-latitude cyclonic storm systems are also known as____.

A) anticyclones
B) hurricanes
C) extratropical cyclones
D) tornadoes

Question 25

Clouds often form in the ____.

A) rising air in the center of a low pressure area
B) rising air in the center of a high pressure area
C) sinking air in the center of a low pressure area
D) sinking air in the center of a high pressure area

Question 26

What pattern is most likely associated with clear skies and fair weather?

A) high pressure regions
B) low pressure regions
C) a cold front
D) a warm front

Question 27

The latitude of the equator is ____.

A) 90°N
B) 0°
C) 90°S
D) 125°W

Question 28

Areas of high atmospheric pressure are also known as ____.

A) hurricanes
B) anticyclones
C) troughs
D) tornadoes

Question 29

The exosphere is ____.

A) where jet streams are found
B) the ozone layer
C) the upper limit of our atmosphere
D) where air density is greatest

Question 30

The letters H and L on a surface weather map refer to regions of high and low ____.

A) temperature
B) winds
C) pressure
D) latitude

Question 31

In the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, surface winds tend to blow ____ and ____ around an area of surface low pressure.

A) clockwise; inward
B) clockwise; outward
C) counterclockwise; inward
D) counterclockwise; outward

Question 32

What is the weather element that involves the horizontal movement of air?

A) air temperature
B) air pressure
C) wind
D) humidity

Question 33

Extratropical cyclones are found ____.

A) inside the tropics
B) outside the tropics
C) at the equator
D) both inside and outside the tropics

Question 34

A tropical storm system with winds in excess of 74 mi/hr is called a(n) ____.

A) anticyclone
B) tornado
C) extratropical cyclone
D) hurricane

Question 35

You are facing north and the wind is blowing in your face. This wind would be called a(n) ____.

A) south wind
B) east wind
C) north wind
D) southerly wind

Question 36

Air density is greatest in the ____.

A) heterosphere
B) thermosphere
C) ionosphere
D) homosphere

Question 37

The majority of atmospheric ozone (about 97%) is found in the ____.

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

Question 38

What is a region in the atmosphere where air temperature remains constant with height?

A) temperature inversion
B) jet stream
C) isothermal zone
D) hypoxic zone

Question 39

The word "weather" is defined as____.

A) the frequency of precipitation or other events
B) any type of falling precipitation
C) the condition of the atmosphere at any particular time and place
D) the general climate of a region

Question 40

The thermosphere is where charged particles from the sun interact with air molecules to produce ____.

A) ozone
B) auroras
C) radio waves
D) humidity

Question 41

The earth's atmospheric pressure always ____________________ with increasing height.

Question 42

Plant photosynthesis increased the concentration of ____________________ in the earth's early atmosphere.

Question 43

Scientists pose hypotheses, or informed predictions about how our natural world will behave, using the ____________________ method.

Question 44

Instructions: Choose one answer from each pair of selections. The burning of coal and oil can release SULFUR | NITROGEN gases into the atmosphere that may transform into acid rain.

Question 45

If the weather forecast predicts the arrival of a warm front to your area for the weekend, should you expect RAIN or CLEAR SKIES?

Question 46

Instructions: Choose one answer from each pair of selections. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) cause destruction to ozone through the release of SULFURIC ACID | CHLORINE.

Question 47

The basis for dividing the earth's atmosphere into layers is the change of ____________________ with altitude.

Question 48

Methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are greenhouse gases.

Question 49

Instructions: Choose one answer from each pair of selections. Peak ozone (O₃) concentrations are found in the stratosphere near 25 km altitude. Would you expect to find the highest molecular oxygen (O₂) concentrations at HIGHER or LOWER altitude?

Question 50

Molecular oxygen (O₂) in the earth's early atmosphere probably originated from the splitting of water vapor (H₂O) into hydrogen and oxygen.

Question 51

Instructions: Choose one answer from each pair of selections. Air density is greatest in the UPPER | LOWER atmosphere.

Question 52

Would you expect wind speeds to DECREASE or INCREASE when a frontal system passes?

Question 53

Instructions: Choose one answer from each pair of selections. Atmospheric water vapor concentrations are typically higher in TROPICAL | POLAR regions.

Question 54

All weathercasters in the media are required to be professional meteorologists.

Question 55

____________________ radar is a tool used by meteorologists to observe the winds and precipitation intensities associated with severe thunderstorms.

Question 56

Instructions: Choose one answer from each pair of selections. Sea level pressure is determined by the WEIGHT | HEIGHT of the atmosphere.

Question 57

On a cloudless day, the tropopause is easily visible with the naked eye.

Question 58

The air pressure at the summit of Mount Everest is higher than the air pressure at sea level.

Question 59

Instructions: Choose one answer from each pair of selections. Would you expect to find the strongest vertical air motions in the TROPOSPHERE or in the STRATOSPHERE?

Question 60

Instructions: Choose one answer from each pair of selections. Clear skies occurs in high pressure regions where the air is RISING | SINKING.

Question 61

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Question 62

Describe how deforestation affects the concentration of CO₂ in the earth's atmosphere.

Question 63

Explain why oxygen-breathing equipment would be needed in mesospheric air even though it contains the same composition of gases that is found at the earth's surface.

Question 64

Explain the differences in air motion within a low pressure system and a high pressure system.

Question 65

Explain how ozone (O₃) can play both a beneficial and a detrimental role in the earth's atmosphere.