Question 1

The amount of solar radiation reflected off a surface on Earth is called:&#10;A) albedo&#10;B) insolation&#10;C) diffusivity&#10;D) emissivity&#10;E) color quotient

Accepted Answer

Albedo is the amount of solar radiation reflected off a surface on Earth. It is an important factor in determining the Earth's energy balance and has significant impacts on climate and weather patterns. Insolation refers to the amount of solar radiation that reaches a given area, diffusivity is the ability of a substance to scatter light, emissivity is the ability of a material to emit radiation, and color quotient is not a technical term in this context.

Question 2

Greenhouse gases are most efficient at absorbing ________ wavelengths of energy.&#10;A) visible&#10;B) ultraviolet&#10;C) infrared&#10;D) microwave&#10;E) shorter

Accepted Answer

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, are most efficient at absorbing infrared wavelengths of energy. This is because infrared radiation is in the range of frequencies that can cause the bonds between atoms to vibrate, which leads to the absorption and retention of heat in the Earth's atmosphere.

Question 3

The planetary albedo of the Earth is about _____ percent.&#10;A) 10&#10;B) 17&#10;C) 33&#10;D) 45&#10;E) 50

Accepted Answer

The planetary albedo of the Earth is about 33% which means that about one-third of the solar radiation that falls on Earth is reflected back to space. This includes both the direct reflection of sunlight by the Earth's surface and atmosphere as well as the scattering and absorption of solar radiation by clouds, aerosols, and gases. This albedo plays an important role in regulating the Earth's climate and global energy balance.

Question 4

The greenhouse gas most effective at absorbing heat is:&#10;A) carbon dioxide&#10;B) methane&#10;C) water vapor&#10;D) CFCs

Accepted Answer

Water vapor is the most effective greenhouse gas because it makes up a significant portion of the atmosphere and can absorb a wide range of wavelengths of radiation, including those at the peak of the Earth's thermal emission spectrum. While carbon dioxide and methane are also potent greenhouse gases, their concentrations in the atmosphere are much lower than water vapor. CFCs are long-lasting synthetic gases that have a high global warming potential, but their production has been phased out due to their harmful effects on the ozone layer.

Question 5

Much of the Earth's heat escapes between the wavelengths of 8.5 and 13 micrometers, which is also called:&#10;A) the gap&#10;B) the atmospheric window&#10;C) the atmosphere's door&#10;D) ozone hole

Accepted Answer

This area where most of the Earth's heat escapes is known as the atmospheric window because it is open, or transparent, to specific wavelengths of outgoing radiation.

Question 6

The solar constant is:&#10;A) the total energy emitted by the sun&#10;B) the total solar energy absorbed by the Earth's surface&#10;C) the total solar energy reaching the top of the atmosphere&#10;D) none of these

Accepted Answer

The solar constant is the amount of solar energy reaching the top of Earth's atmosphere per unit time and per unit area. It is typically measured in watts per square meter (W/m²). Therefore, it is the total solar energy reaching the top of the atmosphere, not the total energy emitted by the sun or the total solar energy absorbed by the Earth's surface.

Question 7

The Earth's re-radiation of heat back towards space is mostly in the ____ wavelengths.&#10;A) visible&#10;B) ultraviolet&#10;C) infrared&#10;D) microwave&#10;E) radio

Accepted Answer

The Earth's re-radiation of heat back towards space is mostly in the infrared wavelengths, as this wavelength is most effective in transferring the heat energy from the Earth's surface out into space. Visible, ultraviolet, microwave, and radio wavelengths do not efficiently transfer heat energy and are not as effective in the process of re-radiation.

Question 8

If it was not for the greenhouse effect, the Earth's average temperature would be about ____.&#10;A) -20&#176;F&#10;B) 0&#176;F&#10;C) 32&#176;F&#10;D) 50&#176;F&#10;E) 65&#176;F

Accepted Answer

The answer of If it was not for the greenhouse...

Question 9

To be in perfect equilibrium, the Earth's net radiation must be:&#10;A) -10% of the solar constant&#10;B) 0% of the solar constant&#10;C) 10% of the solar constant&#10;D) 25% of the solar constant

Accepted Answer

When the Earth is in perfect equilibrium, the amount of incoming solar radiation must be equal to the amount of outgoing radiation from the Earth. This means that the net radiation must be 0%, which is option B.

Question 10

Global net radiation is:&#10;A) positive in the tropics, negative in the polar regions&#10;B) positive in the polar regions, negative in the tropics&#10;C) positive at all latitudes&#10;D) zero at all latitudes

Accepted Answer

Global net radiation is the difference between incoming solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial radiation. The tropics receive more solar radiation than they emit, resulting in a positive net radiation, while the polar regions receive less solar radiation than they emit, resulting in a negative net radiation. Therefore, option A is the best choice as it describes the distribution of net radiation across latitudes.

Question 11

When heat is transferred between warm and cooler layers of soil in contact with one another, it is termed:&#10;A) convection&#10;B) conduction&#10;C) radiation&#10;D) sensible heat

Accepted Answer

The answer of When heat is transferred between warm and...

Question 12

An increase in Earth's albedo would lead to:&#10;A) an increase in global temperature&#10;B) a decrease in global temperature&#10;C) no change in global temperature

Accepted Answer

The answer of An increase in Earth's albedo would lead...

Question 13

More incoming energy is used at the Earth's surface for ______ at an ocean surface.&#10;A) sensible heat&#10;B) latent heat&#10;C) heating the subsurface&#10;D) cooling the subsurface

Accepted Answer

The answer of More incoming energy is used at the...

Question 14

Heat is transferred from lower latitudes toward higher latitudes mainly by:&#10;A) atmospheric winds&#10;B) oceanic currents&#10;C) both (a) and (b)&#10;D) neither (a) and (b)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Heat is transferred from lower latitudes toward...

Question 15

In colder climates during winter, heat is conducted:&#10;A) from the surface downward&#10;B) from the air towards the ground&#10;C) from the subsurface towards the surface&#10;D) neither upward nor downward below the surface

Accepted Answer

The answer of In colder climates during winter, heat is...

Deck 5: Radiation and the Heat Balance of Planet Earth