Question 1

Over the earth as a whole,one would expect to observe the smallest variation in temperature from day to day and from month to month

Accepted Answer

Small islands near the equator experience minimal temperature variation due to the moderating influence of the ocean and the consistent solar angle throughout the year.

Question 2

At what time during a 24-hour day would a radiation temperature inversion best be developed?

Accepted Answer

Radiation temperature inversions occur when the ground loses more heat to space than it gains from the sun, resulting in a colder layer of air near the surface. This typically happens during clear, calm nights, when the ground can release a large amount of heat. Therefore, the best time for a radiation temperature inversion to develop is near sunrise when the air is the coolest and the ground has had the most time to radiate heat.

Question 3

Hypothermia is most common in

Accepted Answer

Hypothermia is a condition in which the body loses heat faster than it can produce. It is most common in cold, wet weather, as the wetness increases heat loss from the body.

Question 4

On a clear,calm night,the ground and air above cool mainly by which process?

Accepted Answer

On a clear, calm night, the ground and air above cool mainly by radiation, which is the emission of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. Without clouds or wind, there is little to no convection or conduction occurring, and reflection does not play a significant role in heat loss. Evaporation may contribute to cooling, but it is not the main process on a clear night.

Question 5

Two objects,A and B,have the same mass but the specific heat of A is larger than B.If both objects absorb equal amounts of energy,

Accepted Answer

The object with the smaller specific heat (B) will experience a greater temperature increase when absorbing the same amount of energy compared to the object with a larger specific heat (A).

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a reason why water warms and cools much more slowly than land?

Accepted Answer

Water has a higher heat capacity than soil, meaning it takes more heat to raise the temperature of water by 1°C than it does for soil, not the other way around.

Question 7

If tonight's temperature is going to drop into the middle 20s (°F)and a fairly stiff wind is predicted,probably the best way to protect an orchard against a hard freeze is to (assume that cost is not a factor)

Accepted Answer

The answer of If tonight's temperature is going to drop...

Question 8

The daily minimum temperature is usually observed

Accepted Answer

The answer of The daily minimum temperature is usually observed
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Question 9

When a liquid thermometer is held in direct sunlight,

Accepted Answer

When a liquid thermometer is held in direct sunlight, it will measure a much higher temperature than that of the air because the thermometer is absorbing radiant heat from the sun as well as conducting heat from the surrounding air. Therefore, the reading on the thermometer will be higher than the actual air temperature.

Question 10

An important reason for the large daily temperature range over deserts is

Accepted Answer

Deserts have little water vapor in the air, which means there is less greenhouse effect to trap heat during the day and release it at night. As a result, desert temperatures can swing dramatically between hot and cold.

Question 11

The greatest variation in daily temperature usually occurs

Accepted Answer

The greatest variation in daily temperature typically occurs at the ground level due to direct exposure to solar radiation during the day and rapid heat loss at night.

Question 12

The lag in daily temperature refers to the time lag between the

Accepted Answer

The lag in daily temperature refers to the delay between when the maximum solar radiation is received and when the maximum temperature is actually observed. This occurs because the Earth continues to absorb and then slowly release heat, causing the highest temperatures to occur after solar radiation peaks.

Question 13

Ideal conditions for a strong radiation inversion are a

Accepted Answer

A strong radiation inversion occurs when the ground rapidly loses heat through radiation under clear and calm conditions. Winter nights are typically cooler and drier, which further enhances the inversion. Moist conditions, either from high humidity or precipitation, tend to limit the strength of radiation inversions. Cloudy conditions can also limit the strength of the inversion by reducing the amount of radiation that can escape into space. Windy conditions can mix the air and disrupt the inversion. Therefore, choice A, clear, calm, dry, winter night, is the best option for strong radiation inversion.

Question 14

One would expect the lowest temperatures to be found next to the ground on a

Accepted Answer

Clear, dry, and calm conditions allow for better radiative cooling, which leads to the lowest temperatures being found next to the ground. Damp and windy conditions can disrupt this process, while cloud cover can trap heat and prevent radiative cooling. Rainy nights also tend to have higher humidity, which can limit radiative cooling.

Question 15

In clear weather,the air next to the ground is usually ____ than the air above during the night and ____ than the air above during the day.

Accepted Answer

During the night, the ground radiates heat to space, cooling the air in contact with it. This causes the air next to the ground to be colder than the air above it. During the day, the ground is heated by the sun, which warms up the air in contact with it, causing it to rise and be replaced by cooler air from higher altitudes. As a result, the air next to the ground is generally warmer than the air above during the day.

Question 16

During the afternoon,the greatest temperature difference between the surface air and the air several meters above occurs on a

Accepted Answer

On a clear, calm afternoon, the sun heats the surface more effectively, leading to a greater temperature difference between the surface air and the air several meters above.

Question 17

Suppose yesterday morning you noticed ice crystals (frost)on the grass,yet the minimum temperature reported in the newspaper was only 35°F.The most likely reason for this apparent discrepancy is that

Accepted Answer

Temperature readings taken in instrument shelters are typically placed 5 feet above the ground. This means that the temperature at ground level could be colder than what is reported by the thermometer in the shelter. Therefore, it is possible for frost to form on the grass even if the reported minimum temperature is above freezing.

Question 18

The wind-chill factor

Accepted Answer

The wind-chill factor is a measure of the perceived decrease in air temperature felt by the body due to the flow of air over it. It relates body heat loss with wind to an equivalent temperature with no wind.

Question 19

In a hilly region,the best place to plant crops that are sensitive to low temperatures is

Accepted Answer

Hillsides are less prone to frost compared to valley floors, where cold air settles, and hilltops, which can be exposed to harsh winds.

Question 20

In July,at middle latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere,the day is ____ long and is ____ with each passing day.

Accepted Answer

In July, the Northern Hemisphere is past the summer solstice, so days are more than 12 hours long but are getting shorter as it moves towards the autumn equinox.

Quiz 3: Seasonal and Daily Temperatures