Deck 22: The Atmosphere of Earth

Question 1

Earth's atmosphere is composed chiefly of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

The atmospheric heating produced by the absorption of solar radiation and reemission of infrared radiation is called the greenhouse effect.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The oceans contain much more carbon dioxide than does Earth's atmosphere.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Normal atmospheric pressure is enough to support a column of mercury approximately

A)29.9 cm high.
B)76.0 cm high.
C)101 cm high.
D)760 cm high.

Question 5

When air is saturated, there is a balance between the rates of evaporation and condensation.

Question 6

The temperature of the atmosphere decreases steadily with increasing altitude.

Question 7

The majority of the Sun's radiation output occurs as

A)yellow light.
B)ultraviolet light.
C)infrared radiation.
D)gamma radiation.

Question 8

The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide is regulated by

A)removal from the atmosphere by green plants.
B)exchanges between the ocean and atmosphere.
C)chemical reactions between the atmosphere and rocks.
D)All of the above.

Question 9

The greenhouse effect results in warmer temperatures near the surface because

A)clouds trap infrared radiation near the surface.
B)some of the energy that would ordinarily escape is re-radiated toward the surface.
C)carbon dioxide and water vapor trap infrared radiation.
D)carbon dioxide molecules do not permit radiation to escape.

Question 10

Your ears "pop" when your plane descends because

A)air is moving from the outside into behind your eardrum.
B)air is moving from your eardrum to the outside.
C)the air pressure in the plane decreases.
D)the fluid in your Eustachian tubes exerts pressure on your eardrums.

Question 11

An airplane flying at 35,000 feet is above what percent of Earth's atmosphere?

A)50%
B)75%
C)90%
D)99%

Question 12

The solar radiation that does reach Earth's surface

A)is eventually radiated back into space.
B)shows up as an increase in temperature.
C)is re-radiated by Earth largely in the infrared.
D)All of the above.

Question 13

The principle components of Earth's atmosphere are nitrogen, oxygen, and

A)carbon dioxide.
B)argon.
C)water vapor.
D)hydrogen.

Question 14

The upward movement of warmer, less dense air produces a "lifting effect" that results in higher pressure at the surface.

Question 15

The space above the liquid mercury in a barometer is filled with air.

Question 16

The "sea breeze" is the movement of cooler, more dense air from over water toward the land.

Question 17

When a glass filled with a cold beverage "sweats," water evaporating from the surface of the beverage condenses on the cold glass surface.

Question 18

A psychrometer measures

A)atmospheric pressure.
B)altitude.
C)relative humidity.
D)ultraviolet light intensity.

Question 19

Nearly 1400 watts/meter² of solar energy reaches the outermost atmosphere.What fraction of this energy on average actually reaches Earth's surface?

A)20%
B)33%
C)50%
D)67%

Question 20

The capacity of the air to hold water vapor depends on the temperature.

Question 21

Frost is more likely to form

A)on a cloudy night.
B)under a tree.
C)on objects with greater surface area.
D)None of the above.

Question 22

The interaction between ultraviolet light and ozone takes place in the

A)troposphere.
B)stratosphere.
C)exosphere.
D)ozonosphere.

Question 23

Dew is more likely to form

A)on a clear night.
B)in an open field.
C)when the wind is not blowing.
D)All of the above.

Question 24

The wind chill factor

A)is the cooling power of the wind in winter.
B)increases as the wind speed increases.
C)is the temperature at which water vapor begins to condense.
D)is the product of the temperature (in ˚C) and the relative humidity.

Question 25

The wind chill factor

A)measures the effect of low temperature and wind on humans.
B)increases as the wind speed increases.
C)is the temperature at which water vapor begins to condense.
D)is the product of the temperature (in ˚C) and the relative humidity.

Question 26

On a clear, calm night, you would expect the air in a valley to be

A)cooler than that on a hillside.
B)warmer than the air on a hillside.
C)less dense than that in surrounding areas.
D)the same temperature as that in surrounding areas.

Question 27

Hot air rising from the equatorial regions cools and descends to form

A)a belt of moist, low-pressure air.
B)a belt of dry, high-pressure air.
C)the jet stream.
D)a Chinook.

Question 28

The chief difference between fog and a cloud is

A)the water droplets are smaller in clouds.
B)the humidity is greater in fog.
C)fog forms only at night.
D)the altitude of the tiny water droplets.

Question 29

In still air at constant pressure, the rate of evaporation depends on the

A)surface area of the liquid exposed to the atmosphere.
B)air and water temperature.
C)relative humidity.
D)All of these.