Question 1

A poleward moving (northward moving in the Northern Hemisphere) ocean current is:
A) a cold current.
B) a warm current.
C) either a warm or a cold current.
D) warm in summer and cold in winter.

Accepted Answer

Poleward moving currents carry warm water away from the equator towards higher latitudes, making them warm currents.

Question 2

Where is the best location to place a thermometer for an accurate air temperature reading?
A) two to three inches above the ground in a shady place
B) as close to a building as possible
C) in full sunlight so that it gets full exposure
D) inside a shelter painted white

Accepted Answer

Placing a thermometer inside a shelter painted white will protect it from direct sunlight and other external factors that might affect its accuracy.

Question 3

How is the daily maximum temperature affected by the presence of clouds?
A) warmer
B) warmer during day, cooler at night
C) cooler
D) no conclusive effect

Accepted Answer

The presence of clouds usually leads to cooler temperatures as they block some of the sun's radiation from reaching the Earth's surface. This is why partly cloudy or cloudy days tend to be cooler than sunny days.

Question 4

A windward coast can expect:
A) a greater daily temperature range than a comparable continental location.
B) a temperature range similar to that of comparable continental locations.
C) unpredictable daily temperature ranges.
D) a moderate daily temperature range compared to similar continental locations.

Accepted Answer

Windward coasts experience the moderating influence of the ocean, leading to more moderate daily temperature ranges compared to similar continental locations.

Question 5

The Fahrenheit scale is considered to be the LEAST useful temperature scale for scientific purposes because: A) the original fixed points for the scale were arbitrarily (and poorly) chosen, giving 0°F no real meaning. B) the Celsius scale was created first, and so has a longer tradition with the scientific community. C) the modern Fahrenheit scale does not properly identify the steam point of water. D) it is too difficult to convert Fahrenheit data into the Celsius scale.

Accepted Answer

The Fahrenheit scale was originally based on arbitrary and imprecise fixed points, meaning that 0°F has no real physical significance. In contrast, both the Celsius and Kelvin scales are based on fixed points that are directly related to the behavior of water, making them more useful for scientific purposes.

Question 6

Assume that there is a linear relationship between the number of heating degree- days and fuel consumption. If the number of heating degree- days tripled from one month to the next for a building, we would expect the fuel bill to:
A) stay the same.
B) double.
C) triple.
D) be one- third as much.
E) be half as much.

Accepted Answer

Since there is a linear relationship between heating degree-days and fuel consumption, if the former triples, we would expect the latter to triple as well. Therefore, the fuel bill would also triple.

Question 7

The annual temperature range at most latitudes in the southern hemisphere is much smaller than in the northern hemisphere. Why?
A) There is more area covered by water in the southern hemisphere.
B) There is less desert area in the southern hemisphere.
C) Rainfall and cloudiness are greater in the southern hemisphere.
D) Earth is closer to the Sun during southern hemisphere summer.
E) There is more mountainous area in the southern hemisphere.

Accepted Answer

The southern hemisphere has a larger proportion of its area covered by oceans compared to the northern hemisphere. Oceans have a moderating effect on temperatures, leading to smaller annual temperature ranges.

Question 8

The most important cause of temperature variations is:
A) cloud cover and albedo.
B) altitude.
C) differential heating of land and water.
D) differences in receipt of solar radiation.
E) ocean currents.

Accepted Answer

The most important cause of temperature variations is differences in receipt of solar radiation, meaning that some areas receive more direct sunlight than others due to factors such as latitude and time of day. Other factors listed may contribute to temperature variations, but the differential heating caused by solar radiation is the primary cause.

Question 9

The lag of extreme temperatures with respect to minimum or maximum values of solar radiation is due to:
A) absorption within the atmosphere.
B) the elliptical orbit of the earth.
C) the rotational motion of the earth.
D) the earth being covered mostly by water.
E) the influence of the total radiation balance.

Accepted Answer

The lag in extreme temperatures is primarily due to the influence of the total radiation balance, where the earth's surface and atmosphere take time to absorb and re-radiate solar energy, leading to a delay in temperature changes.

Question 10

The lag of the maximum is exhibited when: A) the maximum temperature during a year does not occur until autumn. B) the highest levels of solar radiation are not received until late afternoon. C) the warmest annual mean temperature occurs in the year following maximum CO₂ emissions. D) the maximum temperature for the day occurs several hours after maximum solar radiation receipt.

Accepted Answer

The lag of the maximum refers to the delay between the peak of solar radiation receipt and the peak temperature. Option D states that the maximum temperature for the day occurs several hours after maximum solar radiation receipt, which indicates a lag in the temperature peak. Therefore, option D is the best choice.

Question 11

The specific heat of water is high; what does this mean? A) Water has a high density. B) Water absorbs a higher percentage of solar energy than land does. C) Water must gain or lose large amounts of energy when its temperature changes. D) Water will always be warmer than other materials for the same energy gain or loss.

Accepted Answer

The specific heat of water being high means that water requires a large amount of energy to increase or decrease its temperature compared to other materials. This is because a lot of energy is required to break the strong hydrogen bonds within water molecules. As a result, water will gain or lose larger amounts of energy before its temperature changes.

Question 12

Over a one year period, how thick a layer in the oceans is subject to heating and cooling as the seasons change?
A) 10 centimeters
B) 15 - 100 meters
C) 200- 600 meters
D) 1 meter
E) less than 6 meters

Accepted Answer

The mixing layer, where water is subject to heating and cooling as the seasons change, typically extends from the surface down to a depth of 200-600 meters.

Question 13

How is the annual mean temperature calculated? A) It is the average of the warmest and the coldest monthly mean temperatures. B) It is the average of all the daily mean temperatures for the year. C) It is the average of the warmest and the coldest temperatures recorded during that year. D) It is the average of all 12 monthly mean temperatures.

Accepted Answer

The annual mean temperature is calculated by finding the average of all 12 monthly mean temperatures for the year. This provides a more accurate representation of the temperature throughout the year, rather than just using the warmest and coldest months or temperatures.

Question 14

Two cities are located at the same latitude (40 degrees). City A is in the Southern Hemisphere and City B is in the Northern Hemisphere. Assume the two cities reflect the general characteristics of the hemispheres where they are located. Which city should have the warmer winter temperatures?
A) City A
B) City B
C) Both cities should have nearly identical winter temperatures.

Accepted Answer

City A should have the warmer winter temperatures because it is located in the Southern Hemisphere, where winter occurs during June, July, and August. During these months, the Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, resulting in more direct sunlight and warmer temperatures. On the other hand, City B is located in the Northern Hemisphere, where winter occurs during December, January, and February. During these months, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, resulting in less direct sunlight and colder temperatures.

Question 15

Since the equator- to- pole temperature contrast is the major cause of atmospheric circulations, you would expect wind speeds to be slowest in the:
A) winter.
B) autumn.
C) spring.
D) summer.

Accepted Answer

Wind speeds are slowest in the summer because the temperature contrast between the equator and the poles is the smallest during this season, resulting in weaker atmospheric circulations.

Question 16

The temperature data application that could help you to predict when your corn crop will be ready to harvest is:
A) the growing degree day.
B) the monthly mean temperature during the growing season.
C) the average harvest temperature.
D) the heating degree day.

Accepted Answer

The growing degree day (GDD) is a measure of heat accumulation used by farmers to predict the growth and development of crops during the growing season. It takes into account both the maximum and minimum temperatures and can help determine when a particular crop, like corn, will be ready to harvest. Therefore, it is the best choice for predicting harvest readiness.

Question 17

The daily mean temperature in a particular place is 83. How many cooling- degree days were accumulated?
A) 18 cooling degree days
B) 83 cooling degree days
C) 74 cooling degree days
D) 148 cooling degree days

Accepted Answer

Cooling degree days are calculated by subtracting the base temperature (usually 65°F) from the daily mean temperature, provided the mean is above the base. Here, 83 - 65 = 18 cooling degree days.

Question 18

The annual temperature range is quite small near the equator. This is true primarily because:
A) solar radiation is nearly uniform all year.
B) wind speeds tend to be always slow.
C) the earth emits more infrared energy at these locations.
D) low pressure systems are almost never present.
E) the elevation of most land areas there is near sea level.

Accepted Answer

Near the equator, the solar radiation is nearly uniform all year, resulting in a small annual temperature range. This is because there is little seasonal variation in the amount of sunlight received, as the angle of the sun's rays is nearly perpendicular to the Earth's surface year-round.

Question 19

A primary reason for drawing isotherms on a map of temperature values is to allow: A) determination of temperature ranges. B) elimination of extreme values. C) calculation of mean values. D) recognition of temperature patterns.

Accepted Answer

Drawing isotherms on a map of temperature values allows for recognition of temperature patterns by visually depicting areas of similar temperature values, which can reveal patterns such as temperature gradients, differences between regions, and climatic zones. The other options (determination of temperature ranges, elimination of extreme values, calculation of mean values) are potential purposes of analyzing temperature data, but not specifically related to using isotherms on a map.

Question 20

Reduction of Arctic sea ice is expected to:
A) decrease the amount of solar radiation absorbed by surfaces in the Arctic.
B) lead to a further increase in air temperatures in the Arctic region.
C) cause the Arctic to cool as the cold meltwater enters warmer waters.
D) increase the average surface albedo across the Arctic region.

Accepted Answer

Reduction of Arctic sea ice leads to less sunlight being reflected back into space (since ice is more reflective than open water), resulting in more solar energy being absorbed by the ocean. This absorption of solar energy causes further warming in the Arctic region, a phenomenon known as the ice-albedo feedback.

Quiz 3: Temperature

A poleward moving (northward moving in the Northern Hemisphere) ocean current is:

Where is the best location to place a thermometer for an accurate air temperature reading?

How is the daily maximum temperature affected by the presence of clouds?

A windward coast can expect:

The Fahrenheit scale is considered to be the LEAST useful temperature scale for scientific purposes because:

Assume that there is a linear relationship between the number of heating degree- days and fuel consumption. If the number of heating degree- days tripled from one month to the next for a building, we would expect the fuel bill to:

The annual temperature range at most latitudes in the southern hemisphere is much smaller than in the northern hemisphere. Why?

The most important cause of temperature variations is:

The lag of extreme temperatures with respect to minimum or maximum values of solar radiation is due to:

The lag of the maximum is exhibited when:

The specific heat of water is high; what does this mean?

Over a one year period, how thick a layer in the oceans is subject to heating and cooling as the seasons change?

How is the annual mean temperature calculated?

Two cities are located at the same latitude (40 degrees) . City A is in the Southern Hemisphere and City B is in the Northern Hemisphere. Assume the two cities reflect the general characteristics of the hemispheres where they are located. Which city should have the warmer winter temperatures?

Since the equator- to- pole temperature contrast is the major cause of atmospheric circulations, you would expect wind speeds to be slowest in the:

The temperature data application that could help you to predict when your corn crop will be ready to harvest is:

The daily mean temperature in a particular place is 83. How many cooling- degree days were accumulated?

The annual temperature range is quite small near the equator. This is true primarily because:

A primary reason for drawing isotherms on a map of temperature values is to allow:

Reduction of Arctic sea ice is expected to: