Deck 1: Earth and Its Atmosphere

Question 1

Sayings about the weather, such as "red sky at morning, sailor take warning; red sky at night, sailor's delight" are based on the scientific method.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

​Water vapor can best be described as a

A) ​gas.
B) ​cloud droplet.
C) ​rain drop.
D) ​snowflake.
E) ​liquid.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Fronts are a sharp change in temperature, humidity, and wind direction.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The weight of all the air around Earth is a staggering 2000 trillion tons, or about 2 x 10¹⁸ kg.

Question 5

The most abundant gases in Earth's atmosphere by volume are​

A) ​carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
B) ​oxygen and water vapor.
C) nitrogen and oxygen.
D) ​oxygen and helium.
E) ​oxygen and ozone.

Question 6

Someone who says that "the wind direction today is south" likely means that the wind is blowing toward the south.

Question 7

Ultraviolet light from the sun destroys nitrous oxide.

Question 8

Soil dust, salt from ocean waves, forest fire smoke, volcanic ash particles, and pollutants are some of the aerosols found in the atmosphere.

Question 9

Earth's second atmosphere was more dense than its first atmosphere (which formed some 4.6 billion years ago), and developed through the impact of a series of meteorites.

Question 10

Weather in the middle latitudes tends to move from east to west.​

Question 11

Storms rank in size from largest to smallest, as follows: middle-latitude cyclonic storm, hurricane, thunderstorm, tornado.

Question 12

​Photodissociation is a process that splits water vapor into oxygen and hydrogen atoms.

Question 13

Of the four most abundant gases in our atmosphere, water vapor shows the greatest variation at Earth's surface?

Question 14

A decrease in stratospheric ozone would be beneficial for plants, animals, and humans.

Question 15

​Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring component of the atmosphere.

Question 16

​The ozone hole is an actual hole in the atmosphere, a region of complete vacuum.

Question 17

Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and its phenomena. The term itself goes back to a Roman emperor who, about 12 B.C., wrote a book on natural philosophy entitled Meteorologica.

Question 18

On average, temperature increases from the surface to the tropopause (around 10 km, then decreases to the stratopause (around 50 km), then decreases to the mesopause (around 90 km), then increases through the thermosphere.

Question 19

The lowest average air temperature can be found in the thermosphere.​

Question 20

On the basis of temperature, the layers of the atmosphere from the lowest layer to the highest are the thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, and troposphere.

Question 21

​The temperature of the tropopause

A) ​is close to the temperature at Earth's surface.
B) ​is much colder than the temperature at Earth's surface.
C) ​has never been measured.
D) ​is much warmer than the temperature at Earth's surface.
E) ​is nearly the same as the sun's temperature.

Question 22

​Earth's atmosphere is divided into named layers based on the vertical profile of

A) ​air pressure.
B) ​air temperature.
C) ​air density.
D) ​wind speed.
E) ​chemical composition.

Question 23

​Which weather element ALWAYS decreases as we climb upward in the atmosphere?

A) ​Wind
B) ​Temperature
C) ​Pressure
D) ​Moisture
E) ​dew point

Question 24

​The most abundant greenhouse gas in Earth's current atmosphere is

A) ​carbon dioxide (CO₂).
B) ​nitrous oxide (N₂O).
C) ​water vapor (H₂O).
D) ​methane (CH₄).
E) ​chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Question 25

​In a volume of air near Earth's surface today, ____ occupies 78 percent and ____ nearly 21 percent.

A) ​nitrogen; oxygen
B) ​hydrogen; oxygen
C) ​oxygen; hydrogen
D) ​nitrogen; water vapor
E) ​hydrogen; helium

Question 26

​In a temperature inversion, air temperature

A) ​increases with increasing height.
B) ​decreases with increasing height.
C) ​remains constant with increasing height.
D) ​is warmer at night than during the day.
E) ​is warmer during winter than during summer.

Question 27

​Since 1958, CO₂ in the atmosphere has

A) ​increased in concentration by 30%.
B) ​decreased in concentration by 30%.
C) ​remained at about the same concentration from year to year.
D) ​disappeared entirely.
E) ​has doubled in concentration.

Question 28

​The gas that absorbs most of the harmful ultraviolet radiation in the stratosphere is

A) ​water vapor.
B) ​nitrous oxide.
C) ​carbon dioxide.
D) ozone.​
E) ​chlorofluorocarbons.

Question 29

​The only substance near Earth's surface that is found naturally in the current atmosphere as a solid, liquid, and a gas is

A) ​carbon dioxide.
B) ​water.
C) ​molecular oxygen.
D) ​ozone.
E) ​carbon.

Question 30

​Most of the ionosphere is found in what atmospheric layer?

A) ​Troposphere
B) ​Stratosphere
C) ​Mesosphere
D) ​Thermosphere
E) ​homosphere

Question 31

​Water vapor molecules

A) ​are invisible.
B) ​color the sky blue.
C) ​make clouds white.
D) ​are very small drops of liquid water.
E) ​can exist in the frozen state.

Question 32

​Which of the following is considered a variable gas in Earth's atmosphere?

A) ​water vapor
B) ​nitrogen
C) ​oxygen
D) ​argon
E) ​helium

Question 33

​Almost all of Earth's weather occurs in the

A) ​exosphere.
B) ​stratosphere.
C) ​mesosphere.
D) ​thermosphere.
E) ​troposphere.

Question 34

​The atmospheric layer in which we live is called the

A) ​troposphere.
B) ​stratosphere.
C) ​thermosphere.
D) ​ionosphere.
E) exosphere.​

Question 35

​The rate at which temperature decreases with increasing altitude is known as the

A) ​temperature slope.
B) ​lapse rate.
C) ​sounding.
D) ​thermocline.
E) ​sudden temperature drop.

Question 36

​The primary source of oxygen for Earth's atmosphere during the past half billion years or so appears to be

A) ​volcanic eruptions.
B) ​photosynthesis.
C) ​radiant heat.
D) ​exhalations of animal life.
E) ​transpiration.

Question 37

​The unit of pressure most commonly found on a surface weather map is

A) ​inches of mercury (Hg).
B) ​millibars or hectopascals.
C) ​pounds per square inch.
D) ​millimeters of mercury (Hg).
E) ​kilograms per square meter.

Question 38

​Typically, water vapor occupies about what percentage of the air's volume near Earth's surface?

A) ​about 78 percent
B) ​about 21 percent
C) ​close to 10 percent
D) ​less than 4 percent
E) ​less than 1 percent

Question 39

​Which process acts to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?

A) ​Lightning
B) ​deforestation
C) ​photosynthesis
D) ​burning fossil fuels
E) ​volcanic eruptions

Question 40

​The most abundant gas in the stratosphere is

A) ​oxygen (O₂).
B) ​nitrogen (N₂).
C) ​carbon dioxide (CO₂).
D) ​ozone (O₃).
E) ​chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Question 41

​When applying the scientific method to investigating the atmosphere, scientists study

A) ​the chemistry and physics of water samples.
B) ​the chemistry and physics of air.
C) ​animal behavior in different climates.
D) ​human behavior in different climates.
E) ​the chemical composition of plants occurring in different climates.

Question 42

​The word "weather" is defined as

A) ​the average of the weather elements.
B) ​the climate of a region.
C) ​the climate averaged over a year's time.
D) ​any type of falling precipitation.
E) ​the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place.

Question 43

​Much of the carbon dioxide found in earlier atmospheres is currently locked up in

A) ​granite.
B) ​volcanic rocks.
C) ​sandstone.
D) ​shale.
E) ​carbonate rocks.

Question 44

​The difference in atmospheric density is greatest in the layer bounded by

A) ​1 mb and 10 mb.
B) ​101 mb and 110 mb.
C) ​1001 mb and 1010 mb.
D) ​10001 mb and 10100 mb.
E) ​10101 mb and 11000 mb.

Question 45

​Which atmospheric layer contains the most mixing and overturning of air?

A) ​stratosphere
B) ​troposphere
C) ​mesosphere
D) ​exosphere
E) ​ionosphere

Question 46

​Middle latitude cyclonic storms are also known as

A) ​anticyclones.
B) ​hurricanes.
C) ​extratropical cyclones.
D) ​tornadoes.
E) ​blizzards.

Question 47

​Weather maps with isobars have been utilized in meteorology since

A) ​1799.
B) ​1950.
C) ​1843.
D) ​1920.
E) ​1869.

Question 48

​Which statement relates to weather rather than climate?

A) ​The average temperature for the month of January is 28 $\degree$ F.
B) ​The lowest temperature ever recorded in Frozenlake, Minnesota is -57 $\degree$ F.
C) ​The foggiest month of the year is December.
D) ​I like the warm, humid summers.
E) ​It is cloudy and snowing outside.

Question 49

​Wind direction is

A) ​the direction from which the wind is blowing.
B) ​the direction to which the wind is blowing.
C) ​always directly from high toward low pressure.​
D) ​always directly from low toward high pressure.
E) ​the vertical displacement of air.

Question 50

​There are considerably more air molecules near Earth's surface than higher up, which means, in comparison, air near the surface

A) ​is less dense.
B) ​has the same density.
C) ​is more dense.
D) ​has no density.
E) ​is only half as dense.

Question 51

​Which of the following is MOST likely associated with fair weather?

A) ​high pressure area
B) ​low pressure area
C) ​a cold front
D) ​a warm front
E) ​large storm systems

Question 52

​With regard to natural disasters, most people die from

A) ​lightning.
B) ​earthquakes.
C) ​tornadoes.
D) ​flash floods and flooding.
E) ​droughts.

Question 53

​Most human-made impurities found in the atmosphere present a health and environmental hazard. These are called

A) ​nutrients.
B) ​pollutants.
C) ​aerosols.
D) ​dust.
E) ​particles.

Question 54

​Ozone in the stratosphere

A) ​is a health hazard for people with respiratory illnesses.
B) ​protects life from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
C) ​is one of the main ingredients of photochemical smog.
D) ​provides healthy levels of vitamin D to humans.
E) ​is an aerosol found in the ionosphere.

Question 55

​Earth's earliest atmosphere was most likely composed of

A) ​water vapor and nitrogen.
B) ​carbon dioxide and helium.
C) ​hydrogen and helium.
D) ​hydrogen and oxygen.
E) ​noble gases.

Question 56

​Meteorology is the study of

A) ​landforms.
B) ​the oceans.
C) ​the atmosphere.
D) ​outer space.
E) ​extraterrestrial meteoroids that enter the atmosphere.

Question 57

​On a weather map, sharp changes in temperature, humidity, and wind direction are marked by

A) ​a front.
B) ​an anticyclone.
C) ​a ridge.
D) ​blowing dust.
E) ​a low.

Question 58

​On weather maps cold fronts are drawn

A) ​in blue, with arrowheads showing the front's general direction of movement.
B) ​in red, with arrowheads showing the front's general direction of movement.
C) ​in blue, with arrowheads pointing away from the front's general direction of movement.
D) ​in black, with arrowheads showing the front's general direction of movement.
E) ​in red, with arrowheads pointing away from the front's general direction of movement.

Question 59

​A geostationary satellite takes pictures of

A) ​the moon as it is seen from Earth.
B) ​other planets as they are seen from Earth.
C) ​different areas on Earth when it is stationary.
D) ​one area on Earth as it moves at the same rate as Earth's spin.
E) ​any recurring geologic event on Earth.

Question 60

​At night, when the weather is extremely cold and dry, atmospheric pressure in the trophosphere

A) ​increases with increasing altitude.
B) ​remains constant with increasing altitude.
C) ​decreases with increasing altitude.
D) ​first increases, then decreases with increasing altitude.
E) ​stays the same, then drops suddenly.

Question 61

​Over the last 100 years or so, Earth's surface temperature has increased by

A) ​1.4 degrees Fahrenheit
B) ​5.4 degrees Fahrenheit
C) ​0 degrees Fahrenheit
D) ​3.0 degrees Fahrenheit
E) ​2.1 degrees Fahrenheit

Question 62

In the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, surface winds tend to blow ____________________ and ____________________ around an area of surface low pressure.

Question 63

​The average surface temperature on Earth is

A) ​59 degrees Fahrenheit.
B) ​55 degrees Fahrenheit.
C) ​50 degrees Fahrenheit.
D) ​61 degrees Fahrenheit.
E) ​57 degrees Fahrenheit.

Question 64

The average or standard ____________________ in the troposphere is about 6.5°C for every 1000 m or about 3.6°F for every 1000 ft rise in elevation.

Question 65

intermolecular forces.​Air molecules are held near Earth through

A) ​intermolecular forces.
B) ​chemical reactions.
C) ​air pressure.
D) ​winds in the atmosphere.
E) ​gravity.

Question 66

The standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is 1013.25 ____________________ (specify the units).

Question 67

The ozone hole is located over ____________________.

Question 68

____________________ describes conditions averaged over a region or over a time period, whereas ____________________ describes the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place.

Question 69

​Falling rain and snow is called

A) ​condensation.
B) ​evaporation.
C) ​sublimation.
D) ​crystallization.
E) ​precipitation.

Question 70

Wind blows ____________________ around low-pressure areas, and ____________________ around high-pressure areas in the Northern Hemisphere.

Question 71

​____________________, ____________________, ____________________, and water vapor are the four most abundant gases in today's atmosphere.

Question 72

​Recorded temperatures on Earth range from

A) ​-40 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
B) ​-55 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
C) ​-100 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
D) ​-111 to 159 degrees Fahrenheit.
E) ​-121 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

Question 73

​Chinook winds are

A) ​cold winds observed in Alaska.
B) ​warm, dry winds that blow downslope in mountainous areas.
C) ​tropical storms that are most common in Asia.
D) ​the precursors of cyclones.
E) ​cold winds found anywhere in the world.

Question 74

"The summers here are warm and humid" describes the ____________________, whereas "cumulus clouds presently cover the entire sky" describes the ____________________.

Question 75

The two most abundant greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere are ____________________ and ____________________.

Question 76

​Weather and climate affect human lives in many ways, but the most immediate effect is related to

A) the ​economy.
B) ​the environment
C) ​comfort.
D) ​health.
E) ​infrastructure.

Question 77

The concentration of ____________________ is close to 21 percent (by volume) in the upper stratosphere (the same concentration as in the trophosphere), but without proper breathing apparatus you would not be able to survive there.

Question 78

The atmosphere protects inhabitants at Earth's ____________________.

Question 79

The ____________________ contains all of our weather.

Question 80

​The Sun is surrounded by Earth, and how many other planets?

A) ​five
B) ​ten
C) ​eight
D) ​twelve
E) ​seven