Question 1

In comparison to deeper waters, surface oceanic waters are
A) colder.
B) saltier.
C) less dense.
D) Both a and b

Accepted Answer

Surface oceanic waters are generally warmer and less dense compared to deeper waters, which are colder and denser.

Question 2

High productivity in the open ocean would most likely be found in
A) polar cells.
B) the South Pacific.
C) the Labrador current.
D) upwelling zones.

Accepted Answer

Upwelling zones bring nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean to the surface, supporting high productivity.

Question 3

Some models of climate change suggest that the Gulf Stream may become weaker as global temperature increases. Such a weakening in the Gulf Stream would most likely result in
A) warming in Seattle.
B) warming in London.
C) cooling in Seattle.
D) cooling in London.

Accepted Answer

The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current that influences the climate of Western Europe, including London. If it weakens, it could lead to cooler temperatures in London.

Question 4

Which statement about oceanic currents is false?
A) Deep oceanic currents meet surface currents at zones of upwelling.
B) Because they move so slowly, oceanic currents contribute little to the exchange of heat between the tropics and the polar regions.
C) Oceanic currents can have profound effects on the climates of regions where they flow.
D) Dense downwelling currents move to the equator.

Accepted Answer

Oceanic currents play a significant role in the exchange of heat between the tropics and polar regions, despite their slow movement. They help distribute heat around the planet, influencing climate and weather patterns.

Question 5

Refer to the map.
 The map shows annual seasonal temperature variation (in °C). Which region shows the greatest temperature variation?
A) Region A, in the Sahara Desert
B) Region B, in Siberia
C) Region C, in Japan
D) Region D, in Mexico

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the map.
 The map shows...

Question 6

Refer to the map.
 The map shows annual seasonal temperature variation (in °C). Consider the temperature in Chicago (marked with the yellow star on the map). Suppose the average temperature in Chicago in January, the coldest month of the year, is -5$\degree$C. Based on the map, what should the average temperature be in July, the warmest month?
A) 10 $\degree$ C
B) 25 $\degree$ C
C) 40 $\degree$ C
D) 45 $\degree$ C

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the map.
 The map shows...

Question 7

Boston, Massachusetts, and Albany, New York, are at about the same latitude, but Albany is farther inland. Based on this, you would expect Albany to have _______ humidity and _______ variation in temperature than Boston.
A) less; more
B) less; about the same
C) more; less
D) more; more

Accepted Answer

Albany, being farther inland, is less influenced by the moderating effects of the ocean, leading to lower humidity and greater temperature variation compared to coastal Boston.

Question 8

What is measured by the lapse rate?
A) The decline in temperature as one moves away from the equator
B) The decline in temperature as one moves up in altitude
C) The decline in atmospheric pressure as one moves up in altitude
D) The amount of water that air can hold as temperature changes

Accepted Answer

The lapse rate measures the rate at which air temperature decreases with an increase in altitude.

Question 9

Which continent shows precipitation patterns closest to what would be predicted based on the positions of the Hadley, Ferrell, and polar circulation cells?
A) Africa
B) Asia
C) Europe
D) North America

Accepted Answer

Africa's precipitation patterns closely align with the theoretical model of atmospheric circulation cells, with the equatorial region experiencing high rainfall due to the Hadley cell, and the subtropical regions being drier.

Question 10

Refer to the figure.
 The figure illustrates the rain-shadow effect. Which of the following descriptions of what is being illustrated here is correct?
A) The prevailing winds are blowing from the right side of the figure, accumulating moisture as they move up the slope, leaving the air on the right side of the mountain very dry, and then depositing the moisture as precipitation on the left side of the mountain.
B) The prevailing winds are blowing from the left side of the figure, accumulating moisture as they move up the slope, depositing the moisture at the crest of the mountain, and then leaving the air descending the slope on the right side very dry.
C) The prevailing winds are blowing from the left side of the figure, depositing moisture as the air moves up the slope and cools, leaving the air descending the slope on the right side of the figure very dry.
D) The prevailing winds are blowing from the left side of the figure, depositing moisture as the air moves up the slope and warms, leaving the air descending the slope on the right side of the figure very dry.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the figure.
 The figure illustrates...

Question 11

Vegetation patterns affect the reflectance of solar radiation. The capacity of a land surface to reflect solar radiation is known as its
A) albedo.
B) evapotranspiration rate.
C) Hadley index.
D) lapse rate.

Accepted Answer

Albedo is the term used to describe the reflectivity of a surface, specifically how much solar radiation it reflects.

Question 12

Deforestation in the tropics should result in a(n) _______ in the land's ability to reflect solar energy and _______ latent heat transfer.
A) increase; increased
B) increase; decreased
C) decrease; increased
D) decrease; more variable

Accepted Answer

Deforestation increases the land's albedo, leading to more reflection of solar energy, and reduces latent heat transfer due to less vegetation and moisture.

Question 13

Re-foresting tropical areas that have been deforested would result in a(n) _______ in the area's albedo and a(n) _______ in the area's evapotranspiration rates that should cause the area to recover from the slightly _______ regional climate that is a result of tropical deforestation.
A) decrease; increase; drier
B) decrease; increase; wetter
C) increase; decrease; drier
D) increase; decrease; wetter

Accepted Answer

Re-foresting tropical areas decreases albedo because forests are darker and absorb more sunlight. It increases evapotranspiration, which adds moisture to the atmosphere, helping to alleviate the drier climate caused by deforestation.

Question 14

The Connecticut River valley in western New England is an area of lowlands in between hills on both its west and east sides. During the fall and winter, the river valley will most likely be cooler than the surrounding hill towns
A) when it is raining.
B) during late afternoon.
C) on windy days.
D) on clear, calm nights.

Accepted Answer

On clear, calm nights, the lack of cloud cover allows heat to escape more easily, and the calm conditions prevent mixing of air layers, leading to cooler temperatures in the valley due to radiational cooling.

Question 15

During _______, Earth is closest to the sun. This occurs during the month of _______.
A) aphelion; January
B) aphelion; July
C) perihelion; January
D) perihelion; April

Accepted Answer

Earth is closest to the sun during perihelion, which occurs in early January.

Question 16

If the tilt of Earth's axis were to decrease,
A) seasonality at the poles would increase.
B) seasonality at the poles would decrease.
C) the Intertropical Convergence Zone would move more.
D) Both a and c

Accepted Answer

A decrease in Earth's axial tilt would lead to less variation in solar radiation received at the poles throughout the year, thus decreasing seasonality at the poles.

Question 17

Refer to the figure.
 Which statement is true?
A) Position "A" represents the June solstice, when locations in the southern hemisphere are in darkness for more hours than any other day of the year.
B) Position "B" represents the June solstice, when locations in the southern hemisphere are in darkness for more hours than any other day of the year.
C) Position "C" represents the December solstice, when locations in the southern hemisphere are in darkness for more hours than any other day of the year.
D) Position "D" represents the December solstice, when locations in the southern hemisphere are in darkness for more hours than any other day of the year.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the figure.
 Which statement is...

Question 18

Refer to the figure.
 Although tropical regions do not experience strong seasonality as far as temperature, they do commonly experience seasonality as far as rainfall due to a shift across the year of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). According to the figure, which of the following locations is in the southern hemisphere and why?
A) Locality A because precipitation is highest during the time of the year when it is tilted away from the sun.
B) Locality B because precipitation is highest during the time of the year when it is tilted away from the sun.
C) Locality A because precipitation is highest during the time of the year when it is tilted toward the sun.
D) Locality B because precipitation is highest during the time of the year when it is tilted toward from the sun.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the figure.
 Although tropical regions...

Question 19

Which statement about ice is true?
A) It is less dense than liquid water.
B) It has a higher albedo than open water has.
C) Ice formation at the surface of ponds prevents warming of the waters below.
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Ice is less dense than liquid water, which is why it floats. It also has a higher albedo, meaning it reflects more sunlight than open water. Additionally, ice formation on the surface of ponds acts as an insulating layer, preventing the water below from warming.

Question 20

During the summer, temperatures and plankton activity in temperate lakes are highest in the _______. This is also the period of _______ lake stratification.
A) epilimnion; highest
B) epilimnion; lowest
C) thermocline; highest
D) thermocline; lowest

Accepted Answer

During the summer, temperatures and plankton activity in temperate lakes are highest in the epilimnion, which is the upper layer of the lake that is warmed by the sun. This is also the period of highest lake stratification, when the lake is divided into three layers: the epilimnion, the thermocline (a middle layer with a rapid temperature change), and the hypolimnion (the bottom layer).

Quiz 2: The Physical Environment

In comparison to deeper waters, surface oceanic waters are

High productivity in the open ocean would most likely be found in

Some models of climate change suggest that the Gulf Stream may become weaker as global temperature increases. Such a weakening in the Gulf Stream would most likely result in

Which statement about oceanic currents is false?

Refer to the map. The map shows annual seasonal temperature variation (in °C) . Which region shows the greatest temperature variation?

Boston, Massachusetts, and Albany, New York, are at about the same latitude, but Albany is farther inland. Based on this, you would expect Albany to have _ humidity and _ variation in temperature than Boston.

What is measured by the lapse rate?

Which continent shows precipitation patterns closest to what would be predicted based on the positions of the Hadley, Ferrell, and polar circulation cells?

Refer to the figure. The figure illustrates the rain-shadow effect. Which of the following descriptions of what is being illustrated here is correct?

Vegetation patterns affect the reflectance of solar radiation. The capacity of a land surface to reflect solar radiation is known as its

Deforestation in the tropics should result in a(n) _ in the land's ability to reflect solar energy and _ latent heat transfer.

Re-foresting tropical areas that have been deforested would result in a(n) ___ in the area's albedo and a(n) _ in the area's evapotranspiration rates that should cause the area to recover from the slightly _____ regional climate that is a result of tropical deforestation.

The Connecticut River valley in western New England is an area of lowlands in between hills on both its west and east sides. During the fall and winter, the river valley will most likely be cooler than the surrounding hill towns

During _, Earth is closest to the sun. This occurs during the month of _.

If the tilt of Earth's axis were to decrease,

Refer to the figure. Which statement is true?

Which statement about ice is true?

During the summer, temperatures and plankton activity in temperate lakes are highest in the _. This is also the period of _ lake stratification.