Deck 17: The Air We Breathe: Introducing Earths Atmosphere

Question 1

According to researchers, the increase in atmospheric oxygen can be explained primarily by

A)the appearance of cyanobacteria.
B)a decrease in volcanic activity.
C)an increase in biomass.
D)a decrease in carbon dioxide.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Atmospheric pressure is __________ at sea level than at the top of Mt. Everest.

A)lower
B)higher
C)the same
D)more stagnant

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Atmospheric pressure and air density

A)increase with an increasing elevation.
B)decrease with a decreasing elevation.
C)decrease with an increasing elevation.
D)do not change as the elevation changes.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The rate of change of temperature with elevation is a quantity known as the__________ rate, and it varies_________ from place to place and time to time.

A)environmental lapse; little
B)environmental lapse; substantially
C)stratosphere; substantially
D)vertical structure rate; little

Question 5

What type of characteristics would be best used to describe wind?

A)direction and speed
B)cloud cover and dew point
C)updraft and downdraft
D)high pressure and low pressure

Question 6

To best convey a sense of how damp the air can feel relative to humans, meteorologists characterize the air's moisture content by specifying its

A)saturation vapor pressure.
B)elevation.
C)relative humidity.
D)Meteorologists don't yet have a way to convey how damp the air feels to humans.

Question 7

Which atmospheric gases were most abundant when Earth first formed 4.54 billion years ago?

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

Question 8

The addition of ozone to our atmosphere helped life thrive on land because ozone

A)provides a protective shield by reflecting ultraviolet radiation.
B)contributes to atmospheric warming.
C)provides a protective shield by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation.
D)is absorbed by organisms to aid in respiratory function.

Question 9

Air temperature represents the average speed the air molecules move. When the average speed of air molecules__________, then the temperature will__________.

A)increase; increase
B)decrease; increase
C)stays the same; decrease
D)increase; decrease

Question 10

What are some of the common atmospheric properties meteorologists use to describe the current weather conditions?

A)temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure, cloud cover, and visibility
B)atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen content
C)temperature, wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure, cloud cover, and visibility
D)Meteorologists are not responsible for reporting the weather conditions.

Question 11

If atmospheric oxygen were to rise higher than 35%, it is possible that

A)extreme storms would consume all the nitrogen-producing land plants.
B)burning would take place very rapidly in the oxygen-poor air.
C)humans would not be affected.
D)immense wildfires would consume oxygen-producing land plants.

Question 12

A __________ is used to measure __________.

A)rain gauge; temperature
B)thermometer; wind direction
C)wind vane; precipitation
D)barometer; atmospheric pressure

Question 13

Look closely at the wind map below. The winds are represented by the swirling lines. The __________lines indicate a __________ wind speed.

A)closely spaced thin; slower
B)farther-spaced thick; slower
C)closely spaced thick; faster
D)farther-spaced thin; faster

Question 14

An atmospheric scientist would like to explain the concept of dew point to someone who is unfamiliar with the concept. They could best illustrate this atmospheric characteristic by explaining that dew point is the

A)same as relative humidity.
B)highest temperature to which air can be heated at a constant pressure before liquid droplets will appear.
C)lowest temperature to which air can be cooled at a constant pressure before the air becomes dry.
D)lowest temperature to which air can be cooled at a constant pressure before liquid droplets will appear.

Question 15

Compared with warm air, cold air holds __________ water vapor.

A)more
B)less
C)the same amount of
D)unpredictable amounts of

Question 16

How is atmospheric pressure different from a directed force?

A)Directed force acts equally in all directions.
B)Atmospheric pressure acts equally in all directions.
C)Directed force and atmospheric pressure act the same.
D)Atmospheric pressure is directional by nature.

Question 17

In Earth's present atmosphere, an average sample of dry air consists of mainly

A)nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
B)argon and oxygen.
C)nitrogen and oxygen.
D)carbon dioxide and ozone.

Question 18

According to the geologic record, our planet's surface cooled below the temperature at which water vapor condenses into liquid by 3.85 Ga. This surface cooling led to the

A)collection of liquid water.
B)formation of glacial ice.
C)decrease in volcanic outgassing.
D)increase in chemical weathering.

Question 19

When scientists discuss the great oxygenation event, they are referring to a time when

A)carbon dioxide began to accumulate in the atmosphere at more than trace quantities.
B)free oxygen began to diminish in the atmosphere.
C)free nitrogen began to diminish in the atmosphere.
D)free oxygen began to accumulate in the atmosphere at more than trace quantities.

Question 20

Atmospheric pressure affects the density of atmospheric gases. Therefore, if atmospheric pressure__________, then the atmospheric gases will__________, becoming less dense.

A)decreases; contract
B)decreases; expand
C)increases; expand
D)increases; stay the same

Question 21

What are the different sources of atmospheric aerosols and where might they be found?

A)Aerosols found over land are salts and sulfates, whereas aerosols found over the ocean come from windblown dust, fires, and human activities.
B)Aerosols found over the ocean include salts and sulfates, whereas aerosols found over land come from windblown dust, fires, and human activities.
C)Common sources for atmospheric aerosols include respiration and asphyxiation and can be found wherever there are humans.
D)All atmospheric aerosols are the same and all are created in urban areas.

Question 22

Meteorologists classify cloud type using the following characteristics; the ability to produce precipitation,__________, and__________.

A)shape; altitude
B)shape; color
C)color; size
D)size; density

Question 23

The ionosphere __________ , which facilitates human communication.

A)plays an important role in radio transmissions
B)absorbs FM radio frequencies
C)transmits radio waves toward outer space
D)reflects visible light

Question 24

What type of fog is shown in the figure below?

A)radiation fog
B)evaporation fog
C)advection fog
D)cumulus fog

Question 25

How do researchers differentiate between the heterosphere and homosphere?

A)The heterosphere is a well-mixed layer, whereas the homosphere is stratified.
B)There is no way to differentiate between the two.
C)The homosphere is a well-mixed layer, whereas the heterosphere is stratified.
D)The homosphere and the heterosphere are both homogenous atmospheric layers.

Question 26

Which atmospheric layer prevents most of ultraviolet radiation from reaching Earth's surface?

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

Question 27

The shape of a cloud depends on the

A)amount of water vapor available.
B)amount of water vapor available, the nature of the lifting mechanism, the troposphere's temperature, and wind velocity.
C)nature of the lifting mechanism and the wind velocity.
D)amount of water vapor available and the nature of the lifting mechanism.

Question 28

Water held in the atmosphere is a__________ , whereas water in the form of snow, ice, or hail is a_________.

A)liquid; solid
B)vapor; solid
C)vapor; aerosol
D)solid; gas

Question 29

What type of clouds are shown in the figure below?

A)cumulonimbus
B)stratus
C)lenticular clouds
D)altostratus

Question 30

A phase change happens when water in one state converts to another. When a __________ changes into a __________, the phase change is called __________.

A)solid; liquid; melting
B)solid, liquid; sublimation
C)liquid; solid; evaporation
D)solid; gas; deposition

Question 31

Photochemical smog forms when exhaust from vehicles reacts with air in the presence of sunlight to produce an ozone-rich brown haze. Without government regulation,

A)the frequency and occurrence of photochemical smog may decrease, leading to improved atmospheric quality.
B)photochemical smog is not an issue now, therefore should not be regulated.
C)photochemical smog would no longer be an issue.
D)the frequency and occurrence of photochemical smog may increase, leading to poor atmospheric quality.

Question 32

What important role do deposition nuclei play in the formation of a snowflake?

A)When temperatures are above freezing, aerosols serve as deposition nuclei. Water molecules attach to it and grow into a composite of ice crystals.
B)Deposition nuclei do not play any role in the formation of a snowflake.
C)When temperatures are below freezing, aerosols serve as deposition nuclei. Water molecules can attach to it and grow into a composite of ice crystals.
D)Deposition nuclei serve as a layer in Earth's atmosphere.

Question 33

When aerosols capture water molecules in the air then dissolve in the water to form microscopic droplets,__________ is produced, resulting in a decrease in overall visibility.

A)fog
B)smog
C)haze
D)water vapor

Question 34

At which altitude do cirrus clouds develop in the troposphere?

A)between 3 and 6 km (10,000-20,000 ft)
B)above 6 km (20,000 ft)
C)below 3 km (10,000 ft)
D)between 0 and 6 km (0-20,000 ft)

Question 35

What is happening at certain elevations where the direction of temperature change reverses from decreasing to increasing or vice versa?

A)These boundaries are unrelated to temperature change.
B)These elevations represent the changes in pressure.
C)These elevations represent the boundary between the homosphere and the heterosphere.
D)These elevations delineate boundaries that separate the distinct layers of Earth's atmosphere.

Question 36

Atmospheric aerosols can be both organic and inorganic. Inorganic aerosols include mineral dust, salts, sulfates, fine ash, and soot, whereas organic aerosols can include bacteria, molds, viruses, detritus and

A)haze.
B)smoke.
C)carbon.
D)pollen.

Question 37

The boundary where two contrasting air masses meet is called a(n)

A)front.
B)uplift.
C)aurora.
D)deposit.

Question 38

Identify the thermal layers of Earth's atmosphere in the figure below.

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

Question 39

Why would a government agency monitor and regulate the aerosol concentrations in the atmosphere?

A)To inform the public when hazardous atmospheric conditions are taking place only.
B)Government agencies do not monitor or regulate aerosol concentrations.
C)To better understand the relationship between air quality and human health only.
D)To inform the public when hazardous atmospheric conditions are taking place and to better understand the relationship between air quality and human health.

Question 40

Which characteristics do researchers use to classify Earth's atmospheric layers?

A)temperature and composition
B)temperature, composition, and electrical charge
C)temperature, composition, and pressure
D)composition, electrical charge, and pressure

Question 41

List the three laws that govern the behavior of blackbody radiation.

Question 42

How are electromagnetic waves characterized?

A)transmission and frequency
B)wavelength and frequency
C)emission and radiation
D)magnetism and electricity

Question 43

Meteorologists define warm-cloud precipitation as precipitation that has an air temperature that stays

A)below 0°C (32°F).
B)above 32°C (90°F).
C)at precisely 0°C (32°F).
D)above 0°C (32°F).

Question 44

In order for Earth to be in equilibrium, __________ radiation that the Earth receives from the Sun must equal the __________ radiation that the Earth emits to space.

A)longwave; longwave
B)longwave; shortwave
C)shortwave; shortwave
D)shortwave; longwave

Question 45

How does a mercury barometer work? How do meteorologists use it to describe atmospheric pressure?

Question 46

Water __________ latent heat when it changes from liquid to solid, and it __________latent heat when it changes from solid to liquid.

A)releases; absorbs
B)reflects; emits
C)absorbs; releases
D)condenses; saturates

Question 47

Although the Earth itself acts like a blackbody, its atmosphere does not. Rather, each atmospheric gas absorbs and emits radiation selectively, meaning that it absorbs only certain wavelengths and emits only certain wavelengths. Why does the atmosphere exhibit this behavior?

Question 48

The energy driving the process of precipitation, wind, and phase changes in atmospheric water vapor comes from the

A)Sun.
B)Earth.
C)Moon.
D)ocean.

Question 49

Hypothesize why someone would feel hotter on a steamy, humid day in Mississippi than on a hot, bone-dry day in the Mojave Desert.

Question 50

Define the word mirage. What are the similarities and differences between an inferior mirage and a superior mirage?

Question 51

Why does air become locally supersaturated? Describe the mechanisms that play a role in the supersaturation of air.

Question 52

The atmospheric greenhouse effect is responsible for

A)hospitable surface temperatures.
B)inhospitable surface temperatures.
C)Earth's seasons.
D)Earth's tilt.

Question 53

Earth has had three atmospheres since its formation 4.54 Ga years ago. Distinguish Earth's first atmospheric gases from Earth's current atmosphere.

Question 54

Because various atmospheric gases have different absorption and emission characteristics, Earth's atmosphere is transparent to only two wavelength ranges. The two ranges of wavelengths that can pass between Earth's surface and space through an atmospheric window are __________ and __________ wavelengths.

A)radio; visible
B)ultraviolet; infrared
C)visible; infrared
D)radio; ultraviolet

Question 55

Label the cloud types in the images below using the word bank provided.

cumulonimbus cumulus congestus
stratus cirrocumulus
cirrus altocumulus
cumulus nimbostratus

Question 56

Explain the role and process the ionosphere plays in radio transmission.

Question 57

What role does the stratosphere play in allowing life to exist on Earth? Hypothesize what life might be like without the global regulation of chemicals that react and break up the ozone molecules.

Question 58

When sunlight passes through the atmosphere during a sunset, the distance through the atmosphere that a beam of sunlight must travel to reach our eyes __________ . As a result, the __________ wavelengths scatter back into space, whereas the __________ wavelengths can pass through the atmosphere.

A)increases; longer; shorter
B)increases; shorter; longer
C)decreases; longer; shorter
D)decreases; shorter; longer

Question 59

If there was no atmosphere, the daytime temperature of Earth's surface would be

A)the same.
B)like Mercury's.
C)like Saturn's.
D)like Neptune's.

Question 60

When a person sees a rainbow, where are the Sun and rain relative to the person?

A)The Sun and the rain are both behind the person.
B)The Sun is above the person and the rain is below the person.
C)The Sun is in front of the person and the rain is behind the person.
D)The Sun is behind the person and the rain is in front of the person.