Question 1

Which factor is the most important when explaining variations in global temperatures?&#10;A) elevation&#10;B) longitude&#10;C) latitude&#10;D) cloudiness&#10;E) distance from oceans

Accepted Answer

Latitude is the most important factor when explaining variations in global temperatures. This is because regions closer to the equator receive more direct sunlight and heat than regions further away, resulting in higher average temperatures.

Question 2

When an unsaturated air parcel rises in the atmosphere, it cools at a constant rate called ____.&#10;A) the constant lapse rate&#10;B) the saturated adiabatic lapse rate&#10;C) the dry adiabatic lapse rate&#10;D) the environmental lapse rate

Accepted Answer

The cooling rate of an unsaturated air parcel as it rises in the atmosphere is called the dry adiabatic lapse rate, which is a constant rate of approximately 10°C per 1000 meters. The constant lapse rate and the saturated adiabatic lapse rate are not applicable to unsaturated air parcels, and the environmental lapse rate varies depending on atmospheric conditions.

Question 3

What is the name of the process when heat is released into the environment and water changes phases?&#10;A) evaporation&#10;B) condensation&#10;C) melting&#10;D) vaporization

Accepted Answer

The process described is condensation, where water vapor releases heat into the environment to change phases into liquid water.

Question 4

The lower atmosphere is considered very stable when there is _____.&#10;A) surface heating&#10;B) upper air cooling&#10;C) a temperature inversion&#10;D) growing clouds

Accepted Answer

A temperature inversion occurs when the temperature in the lower atmosphere increases with height instead of decreasing. This can create a stable atmospheric condition because the warm air acts like a lid or barrier, preventing pollutants and moisture from rising and mixing with the upper atmosphere. Surface heating, upper air cooling, and growing clouds can all lead to instability and atmospheric turbulence.

Question 5

The urban heat island occurs when:&#10;A) the city center is warmer than the surrounding rural areas&#10;B) the surrounding rural areas are warmer than the urban center&#10;C) there is more dust in the city than the rural surroundings&#10;D) the city is surrounded by cooler water

Accepted Answer

The urban heat island occurs when the city center is warmer than the surrounding rural areas due to factors such as buildings, roads, and increased human activity that trap heat and increase surface temperatures.

Question 6

When the environmental lapse rate is greater than the dry adiabatic lapse rate, the atmosphere is considered:&#10;A) absolutely stable&#10;B) conditionally stable&#10;C) conditionally unstable&#10;D) absolutely unstable

Accepted Answer

When the environmental lapse rate is greater than the dry adiabatic lapse rate, the atmosphere is absolutely unstable because rising air parcels will continue to rise as they are warmer and less dense than the surrounding air.

Question 7

When water freezes into ice, it releases stored energy called:&#10;A) latent heat&#10;B) sensible heat&#10;C) cold fusion&#10;D) radiational heat

Accepted Answer

When water freezes into ice, it releases stored energy called latent heat. This heat is released because molecules in liquid water are more energetic and have greater movement than those in solid ice. As water freezes, the molecules slow down and give off this latent heat.

Question 8

During winter in the Northern Hemisphere, isotherms bend _____over continents.&#10;A) northward&#10;B) westward&#10;C) southward&#10;D) eastward&#10;E) erratically

Accepted Answer

During winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the continents are colder than the oceans due to their lower heat capacity. As a result, the isotherms bend southward over continents, reflecting the colder temperatures.

Question 9

The Gulf Stream causes isotherms to bend further ____ over the North Atlantic.&#10;A) northward&#10;B) westward&#10;C) southward&#10;D) eastward

Accepted Answer

The Gulf Stream causes warmer water to move northward towards the North Atlantic, which in turn causes the isotherms (lines of equal temperature) to bend further northward as well. This is due to the heat transfer from the Gulf Stream into the atmosphere, creating a warmer climate in certain areas of the North Atlantic.

Question 10

Land (continents) heats and cools faster than water (ocean) because:&#10;A) the specific heat of water is greater than that of land&#10;B) land heats by conduction while water heats by convection&#10;C) water is transparent to sunlight while land is opaque to sunlight&#10;D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

All the statements contribute to the reason why land heats and cools faster than water. Water's higher specific heat means it requires more energy to change temperature. Heating by conduction in land is a more direct and quicker process than the convective heating in water. The transparency of water allows sunlight to penetrate deeper, distributing the heat over a larger volume and thus taking longer to warm up compared to land, which absorbs heat directly on its surface.

Question 11

A temperature inversion is when temperature decreases with increasing height.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A temperature inversion is when temperature decreases...

Question 12

In a stable atmosphere:&#10;A) an air parcel displaced vertically moves farther away from its original position&#10;B) an air parcel displaced vertically moves back toward its original position&#10;C) an air parcel displaced vertically remains at its new position&#10;D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a stable atmosphere:&#10;A) an air parcel...

Question 13

Air pollution potential is greatest in summer of much of California due to:&#10;A) more cars traveling on roads in summer&#10;B) more vacationers and visitors cause increased auto emissions in summer&#10;C) there tends to be low winds and almost daily inversions during the summer&#10;D) summer winds tend to move pollution over California in summer

Accepted Answer

The answer of Air pollution potential is greatest in summer...

Question 14

At nearly the same latitude, San Francisco, CA has a smaller range of annual temperatures than St. Louis, MO.

Accepted Answer

The answer of At nearly the same latitude, San Francisco,...

Question 15

The atmosphere is stable when there is a temperature inversion near the ground.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The atmosphere is stable when there is...

Question 16

The north-south temperature gradient over the U.S. is greater in summer than winter.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The north-south temperature gradient over the U.S....

Deck 7: Temperatures of the Lower Atmosphere