Deck 14: Atmosphere Resources and Climate Change

Question 1

What three elements make up most of the atmosphere?

A) nitrogen, oxygen, and argon
B) hydrogen, helium, and oxygen
C) water, oxygen, and argon
D) nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen
E) neon, argon, and helium

Answer 1

A

Question 2

What is true about pure nitrogen?

A) is commonly shipped in a cold, liquid state
B) is the dominant element in the atmosphere
C) can be used to preserve food
D) can be used to freeze biological specimens
E) all of the above

Answer 2

E

Question 3

O₃ is known as:

A) oxygen.
B) ozone.
C) oxide.
D) methane.
E) carbon dioxide.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Why is ozone important?

A) it is the dominant gas in the atmosphere
B) it protects the Earth from harmful greenhouse gases
C) it protects the Earth from damaging UV rays from the sun
D) it can clean the air in the troposphere
E) all of the above

Question 5

Which of the following are greenhouse gases?

A) carbon dioxide
B) nitrogen oxides
C) methane
D) chlorofluorocarbons
E) all of the above

Question 6

There is no top to the atmosphere as the gas molecules gradually decrease into space.

Question 7

Which of the following is a factor that has an influence on climate?

A) the intensity of the sun
B) the distribution of water and land masses
C) ocean circulation
D) wind circulation
E) all of the above

Question 8

What are some common pollutants?

A) oxygen and nitrogen
B) volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides
C) argon and helium
D) water vapor and xenon
E) All are pollutants.

Question 9

Where do volatile organic compounds (VOCs) come from?

A) paint thinners and solvents
B) in the stratosphere
C) from the sun
D) from the ozone layer
E) we release it when we breathe

Question 10

The "new car smell" is most likely:

A) nitrous oxide.
B) sulfur dioxide.
C) a volatile organic compound.
D) ozone.
E) carbon dioxide.

Question 11

"Laughing gas" is most likely:

A) nitrous oxide.
B) sulfur dioxide.
C) a volatile organic compound.
D) ozone.
E) carbon dioxide.

Question 12

What is a source of carbon monoxide?

A) charcoal burners
B) kerosene
C) gasoline-powered generators
D) exhaust from cars
E) all of the above

Question 13

Carbon dioxide is considered a pollutant.

Question 14

Match the following options to its correct definition.
-smog

A) chemicals like benzene, toluene, butane, and propane
B) hydrocarbon compounds that contain chlorine and fluourine; were widely used in refrigerators are coolants
C) family of nitrogen and oxygen compounds that are greenhouse gases
D) a combination of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide and water
E) a combination of smoke and fog

Question 15

Match the following options to its correct definition.
-acid rain

A) chemicals like benzene, toluene, butane, and propane
B) hydrocarbon compounds that contain chlorine and fluourine; were widely used in refrigerators are coolants
C) family of nitrogen and oxygen compounds that are greenhouse gases
D) a combination of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide and water
E) a combination of smoke and fog

Question 16

Match the following options to its correct definition.
-VOCs

A) chemicals like benzene, toluene, butane, and propane
B) hydrocarbon compounds that contain chlorine and fluourine; were widely used in refrigerators are coolants
C) family of nitrogen and oxygen compounds that are greenhouse gases
D) a combination of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide and water
E) a combination of smoke and fog

Question 17

Match the following options to its correct definition.
-CFCs

A) chemicals like benzene, toluene, butane, and propane
B) hydrocarbon compounds that contain chlorine and fluourine; were widely used in refrigerators are coolants
C) family of nitrogen and oxygen compounds that are greenhouse gases
D) a combination of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide and water
E) a combination of smoke and fog

Question 18

Match the following options to its correct definition.
-NOx

A) chemicals like benzene, toluene, butane, and propane
B) hydrocarbon compounds that contain chlorine and fluourine; were widely used in refrigerators are coolants
C) family of nitrogen and oxygen compounds that are greenhouse gases
D) a combination of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide and water
E) a combination of smoke and fog

Question 19

The tilt of Earth's axis has changed throughout geologic time.

Question 20

Our sun's luminosity has not changed since it formed millions of years ago.

Question 21

The Earth's climate has not really changed much over geologic time.

Question 22

Types of rocks that geologists study for past climate include all except:

A) tillite.
B) quartz.
C) deep sea sediment cores.
D) fossiliferous limestone.
E) evaporates.

Question 23

Which of the following is an isotope of oxygen?

A) O-16
B) O-18
C) O₃
D) O₂
E) All are isotopes.

Question 24

What is a driver of climate?

A) a type of isotope that can be used to understand climate change
B) large winds that blow north of the equator
C) a force that creates changes in the Earth's climate
D) a time in Earth's history when it was much colder than today
E) a type of pollutant

Question 25

President Obama's goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by ________ by 2050.

A) 10%
B) 25%
C) 50%
D) 80%
E) 100%

Question 26

Match the following options to its correct definition.
-carbon sequestration

A) time of maximum extent of the ice sheets in the past
B) a method for determining what gases are present in the atmosphere
C) type of soil generated by ice sheets
D) a process that captures and stores carbon dioxide
E) the relationships and influences between different drivers of climate

Question 27

Match the following options to its correct definition.
-cryogenic distillation

A) time of maximum extent of the ice sheets in the past
B) a method for determining what gases are present in the atmosphere
C) type of soil generated by ice sheets
D) a process that captures and stores carbon dioxide
E) the relationships and influences between different drivers of climate

Question 28

Match the following options to its correct definition.
-feedback mechanism

A) time of maximum extent of the ice sheets in the past
B) a method for determining what gases are present in the atmosphere
C) type of soil generated by ice sheets
D) a process that captures and stores carbon dioxide
E) the relationships and influences between different drivers of climate

Question 29

Match the following options to its correct definition.
-glacial maximum

A) time of maximum extent of the ice sheets in the past
B) a method for determining what gases are present in the atmosphere
C) type of soil generated by ice sheets
D) a process that captures and stores carbon dioxide
E) the relationships and influences between different drivers of climate

Question 30

Match the following options to its correct definition.
-tillite

A) time of maximum extent of the ice sheets in the past
B) a method for determining what gases are present in the atmosphere
C) type of soil generated by ice sheets
D) a process that captures and stores carbon dioxide
E) the relationships and influences between different drivers of climate

Question 31

The most complex models for the Earth's climate are called:

A) the Kyoto Protocol.
B) Global Climate Models (GCMs).
C) Feedback mechanisms.
D) Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC).
E) eccentricity and procession models.

Question 32

In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) indicated that most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century were very likely due to the increase in man-made greenhouse gas concentrations.

Question 33

In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) indicated that scientific evidence shows that global average air and ocean temperatures are increasing.

Question 34

Paleoclimatology uses all except ________ to understand past climate.

A) sea level history
B) geo-sequestration
C) oxygen isotopes from trapped air pockets in glacial ice
D) sedimentary rocks
E) fossils in the rock record

Question 35

Where is the ozone layer in our atmosphere? How do CFCs interact with the ozone layer? What are some sources of CFCs?

Question 36

Describe how greenhouse gases warm our atmosphere.

Question 37

What gases are considered pollutants? Where do they come from? Do you use any of their sources on a regular basis?

Question 38

List and describe the factors that control climate. Do you think humans have the dominant control on the Earth's climate? Why or why not?

Question 39

What is the Kyoto Protocol? How does it attempt to regulate climate? Describe U.S. participation in the protocol.

Question 40

How are glaciers used to understand the Earth's climate? List at least 3 ways. Find out more information about a specific glacier (ie., Columbia glacier, Baltoro glacier, Malaspina Glacier). What makes this glacier important or interesting?

Question 41

How can you reduce your greenhouse gas emissions? Can you help to prevent global warming?

Question 42

How will a warming climate affect you? What are some consequences of a warmer climate in U.S.?