Deck 3: Seasonal and Daily Temperatures

Question 1

Which latitude below would experience the fewest hours of daylight on December 22?

A)60 degrees S
B)20 degrees S
C)0 degrees (Equator)
D)20 degrees N
E)60 degrees N

Answer 1

E

Question 2

During summer near the North Pole, the Sun is above the horizon a shorter period of time than in the mid-latitudes.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The Sun is directly overhead at Mexico City (latitude 19 degrees N)____.

A)once a year
B)twice a year
C)four times a year
D)never
E)every month

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Cold, rainy days often feel warmer than dry days because air conducts heat away from the body better than water.

Question 5

Water warms and cools much more slowly than land, because it takes more heat to raise the temperature of a given amount of soil 1 degree Celsius than it does to raise the temperature of water 1 degree Celsius.

Question 6

In the Northern Hemisphere, summers are warmer than winters, because Earth is closer to the Sun in July.

Question 7

In the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing mountain slopes normally have a smaller diurnal range in temperature than north-facing slopes.

Question 8

In the Northern Hemisphere, which day has the fewest hours of daylight?

A)Summer solstice
B)Winter solstice
C)Vernal equinox
D)Autumnal equinox
E)Spring solstice

Question 9

During an equinox, the days and nights are of equal length except at the poles.

Question 10

Because water has a high heat capacity, it cools more slowly than dry soil, and so the surface does not become as cold as it would if it were dry.

Question 11

The winter solstice marks the shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Question 12

Even though the poles have 24 hours of sunlight during the summer, the average summer temperature there is nonetheless below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Question 13

Valley bottoms are not only colder, but are also more frequently polluted than nearby hillsides.

Question 14

If clouds arrive at 2 a.m. in the middle of a calm, clear night, it is uncommon to see temperatures rise after 2 a.m.

Question 15

If two cities have the same mean annual temperature, it means that their temperatures throughout the year are always similar.

Question 16

Incoming solar radiation in middle latitudes is less in winter than in summer because the Sun's rays slant more and spread their energy over a larger area.

Question 17

Corn varieties are typically rated in terms of "days to maturity." The reason this system works well is that corn always takes the same number of days to mature, independent of the growing location.

Question 18

Each day past the winter solstice the noon Sun is a little higher above the southern horizon.

Question 19

The north-facing side of a hill in a mountainous region in the United States tends to be a better location for a ski run than the south-facing side.

Question 20

The combination of heating and cooling degree days gives a practical indication of the energy requirements over the year.

Question 21

Although the polar regions radiate away more heat energy than they receive by insolation in the course of a year, they are prevented from becoming progressively colder each year by the ____.

A)conduction of heat through the interior of Earth
B)concentration of Earth's magnetic field lines at the poles
C)circulation of heat by the atmosphere and oceans
D)the insulating properties of snow
E)release of latent heat to the atmosphere when polar ice melts

Question 22

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.

A)hotter; more humid
B)colder; less humid
C)warmer; colder
D)warmer; warmer
E)colder; warmer

Question 23

Ideal conditions for a strong radiation inversion are a ____.

A)clear, calm, dry, winter night
B)clear, calm, moist, summer night
C)cloudy, calm, moist, winter night
D)cloudy, windy, moist, summer night
E)clear, windy, dry, summer night

Question 24

The greatest variation in daily temperature usually occurs ____.

A)at the ground
B)about 5 feet above the ground
C)at the top of a high-rise apartment complex
D)at the level where thermals stop rising
E)on top of a mountain

Question 25

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

A)use helicopters
B)use wind machines
C)sprinkle the crops with water
D)put orchard heaters to work
E)pray for clouds

Question 26

The most important reason why summers in the Southern Hemisphere are not warmer than summers in the Northern Hemisphere is that ____.

A)Earth is closer to the Sun in January
B)Earth is farther from the Sun in July
C)over 80 percent of the Southern Hemisphere is covered with water
D)the Sun's energy is less intense in the Southern Hemisphere
E)ice from Antarctica prevents it from getting very hot

Question 27

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

A)on the valley floor
B)along the hillsides
C)on the top of the highest hill
D)in any dry location
E)near streams and rivers

Question 28

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

A)At sunset
B)Near sunrise
C)Toward the end of the morning
D)Between 3 and 5 p.m. when the air temperature reaches a maximum
E)At noon

Question 29

Using sprinklers to prevent crop damage from cold air works best when ____.

A)the air is fairly humid
B)the air is fairly dry
C)the air is dry and hot
D)the air is dry and cold
E)it's over 30 degrees Celsius

Question 30

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

A)temperature readings are taken in instrument shelters more than 5 feet above the ground
B)the thermometer was in error
C)the newspaper reported the wrong temperature
D)the thermometer was read before the minimum temperature was reached for that day
E)the thermometer was read incorrectly

Question 31

Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. If the amount of tilt were increased to 40 degrees, we would expect in middle latitudes ____.

A)hotter summers and colder winters than at present
B)cooler summers and milder winters than at present
C)hotter summers and milder winters than at present
D)cooler summers and colder winters than at present
E)no appreciable change from present conditions

Question 32

One would expect the LOWEST temperatures to be found next to the ground on a ____.

A)clear, damp, windy night
B)cloudy night
C)clear, dry, calm night
D)clear, dry, windy night
E)rainy night

Question 33

The world's hottest officially measured temperature was at ____.

A)Dallol, Ethiopia
B)Mitzbah, Kuwait
C)El Azizia, Libya
D)Death Valley, California, United States
E)Yuma, Arizona, United States

Question 34

When it is July and summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is ____ and ____ in the Southern Hemisphere.

A)January; summer
B)January; winter
C)July; winter
D)July; summer
E)March; spring

Question 35

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

A)clear, calm afternoon
B)clear, windy afternoon
C)cloudy, calm afternoon
D)cloudy, windy afternoon
E)cold, windy afternoon

Question 36

Our seasons are caused by ____.

A)the amount of cloud cover during the different parts of the year
B)the angle at which sunlight reaches Earth
C)the proximity to the poles
D)the constellation of Earth, Sun, and Moon
E)differences in altitude

Question 37

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

A)time of maximum solar radiation and the time of maximum temperature
B)time of minimum temperature and the time of maximum solar radiation
C)minimum and maximum temperature for a day
D)minimum and maximum solar energy received at the surface for a given day
E)sunrise and sunset

Question 38

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

A)Evaporation
B)Reflection
C)Convection
D)Conduction
E)Radiation

Question 39

For maximum winter warmth, in the Northern Hemisphere, large windows in a house should face ____.

A)north
B)south
C)east
D)west
E)any direction

Question 40

When would you expect the warmest weather in middle latitudes in the summer in the Northern Hemisphere?

A)March 20
B)June 21
C)September 22
D)December 21
E)July or August

Question 41

In the Northern Hemisphere, a solar panel should be placed on the side of the roof facing ____.

A)east
B)west
C)north
D)south
E)any of these directions

Question 42

Hypothermia is most common in ____.

A)hot, humid weather
B)cold, wet weather
C)hot, dry weather
D)cold, dry weather
E)cold, dry weather

Question 43

If the cold occurs over a widespread area for a long enough time to damage certain crops, the extreme cold is called (a)____.

A)frost
B)dew frost
C)freeze
D)dew
E)nip

Question 44

When a liquid thermometer is held in direct sunlight, ____.

A)it will accurately measure the air temperature
B)it will measure a much higher temperature than that of the air
C)it will measure a much lower temperature than that of the air
D)it will measure the temperature of the Sun rather than the air
E)it can overheat and explode

Question 45

Fruit trees are particularly vulnerable to cold weather ____.

A)when they are fruit-bearing
B)when they are bare
C)right after fruit have been picked
D)when they are blossoming
E)when the first leaves show up

Question 46

Which of the following latitudes is closer to Earth's axis?

A)0 degrees N
B)15 degrees N
C)40 degrees N
D)60 degrees N
E)90 degrees N

Question 47

A growing degree day for a particular crop is defined as a day on which the mean daily temperature is ____ degree(s)above the base temperature (also known as the zero temperature )-the minimum temperature required for growth of that crop.

A)one
B)two
C)three
D)four
E)five

Question 48

At one time, corn varieties were rated in terms of "days to maturity." Why was this rating system unsuccessful?

A)Incorrect implementation by farmers
B)Corn matures more quickly than other crops.
C)Inaccurate meteorological theories
D)Inaccurate meteorological equipment
E)In actual practice, corn took considerably longer in some areas than others.

Question 49

What about the Southern Hemisphere somewhat offsets the extra insulation received due to a closer proximity to the sun?

A)Shorter fall and winter
B)Longer fall and winter
C)Shorter spring and summer
D)Longer spring and summer
E)Additional rainfall

Question 50

Heating degree days are determined by subtracting the ____ temperature for the ____ from 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

A)coldest; year
B)mean; year
C)warmest; week
D)coldest; day
E)mean; day

Question 51

Because air temperatures normally decrease with increasing height, trees found on the cooler north-facing side of mountains are often those that usually grow ____.

A)at lower elevations
B)near the Arctic circle
C)in arid climates
D)near the equator
E)at higher elevations

Question 52

On the winter solstice, the highest position of the noonday Sun is located ____.

A)near the North Pole
B)in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere
C)in the mid-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere
D)near the South Pole
E)near the equator

Question 53

At any given time, ____ of Earth is illuminated by the Sun.

A)one-fourth
B)one-third
C)one-half
D)two-thirds
E)three-quarters

Question 54

Farmers use an index called ____ as a guide to planting and for determining the approximate dates when a crop will be ready for harvesting.

A)heating degree days
B)harvesting degree days
C)growing degree days
D)cooling degree days
E)ripening degree days

Question 55

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

A)there is little water vapor in the air to absorb and re-radiate infrared radiation
B)the light-colored sand radiates heat very rapidly at night
C)dry air is a very poor heat conductor
D)free convection cells are unable to form above the hot desert ground
E)the ozone content of desert air is very low

Question 56

The wind-chill factor ____.

A)relates body heat loss with wind to an equivalent temperature with no wind
B)indicates the temperature at which water freezes on exposed skin
C)takes into account humidity and air temperature in expressing the current air temperature
D)tells farmers when to protect crops from a freeze
E)determines how low the air temperature will be on any given day

Question 57

The term heating degree day is used during ____ weather.

A)warm
B)cold
C)freezing
D)humid
E)any

Question 58

Because the west side of a house warms rapidly in the afternoon, rooms facing that direction should have ____ windows in order for them to act as a thermal buffer.

A)small
B)larger
C)medium-size
D)no
E)many

Question 59

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

A)at the North Pole
B)in the center of a large land mass
C)along the Pacific coast of North America
D)high in the mountains in the middle of a continent
E)on a small island near the equator

Question 60

An ideal shelter for housing a temperature-measurement instrument should be ____.

A)white
B)black
C)in the shade
D)both white and in the shade
E)both black and in the shade

Question 61

Another name for an infrared sensor is ____.

A)thermistor
B)radiosonde
C)light thermometer
D)radiometer
E)thermocouple

Question 62

Because water heats and cools more slowly than land, the lag in daily temperature over water is usually much ____________________ than that experienced over land.

Question 63

Mechanical thermographs are gradually being replaced by ____.

A)radiosondes
B)data loggers
C)electrical thermometers
D)mercury thermometers
E)wind-chill measurement devices

Question 64

If you wish to obtain a highly accurate temperature measurement, you should use which of the following thermometers?

A)Maximum
B)Minimum
C)Liquid-in-glass
D)Electrical
E)Rotary

Question 65

Maximum and minimum thermometers are ____________________ after and before each measurement.

Question 66

This type of thermometer has a glass bulb attached to a sealed, graduated tube about 25 cm (10 in.)long. A very small opening, or bore, extends from the bulb to the end of the tube. A liquid in the bulb (usually mercury or red-colored alcohol)is free to move from the bulb up through the bore and into the tube. When the air temperature increases, the liquid in the bulb expands, and rises up the tube. When the air temperature decreases, the liquid contracts, and moves down the tube. Hence, the length of the liquid in the tube represents the air temperature.

A)Liquid-in-glass thermometer
B)Mercury thermometer
C)Maximum thermometer
D)Minimum thermometer
E)Thermistor

Question 67

During the Northern Hemisphere's summer, the daylight hours in northern latitudes are ____________________ than in middle latitudes.

Question 68

The maximum in daytime surface temperature typically occurs ____________________ Earth receives its most intense solar radiation.

Question 69

In July, at middle latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, the day is more than ____________________ hours long and is getting ____________________ with each passing day.

Question 70

Considering each hemisphere as a whole, seasonal temperature variation in the Southern Hemisphere is ____________________ that in the Northern Hemisphere.

Question 71

In Pennsylvania and New York, wine grapes are planted on the side of ____________________ rather than in valleys.

Question 72

The first sign of hypothermia is ____.

A)stupor
B)dehydration
C)exhaustion
D)collapse
E)frostbite

Question 73

In many areas of the far western United States, only sparse vegetation grows on ____________________-facing slopes.

Question 74

In cold weather, when the air is calm, the temperature we perceive-called the sensible temperature-is often ____ a thermometer might indicate.

A)lower than
B)higher than
C)the same as
D)a fraction of what
E)at least twice as high as

Question 75

In the northern hemisphere, south-facing hillsides have a(n)____________________ growing season than north-facing hillsides.

Question 76

On a warm summer day, one city experienced a daily range of 22 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit), whereas another had a daily range of 10 degrees Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit). One of these cities is located in New Jersey and the other in New Mexico. The highest daily range probably occurred in ____________________ where relatively dry summer air allows for large daily temperature ranges. The lowest daily range more than likely occurred in ____________________ where the humid summer air keeps the daily temperature range small.

Question 77

A(n)____ thermometer consists of two different pieces of metal (usually brass and iron)welded together to form a single strip.

A)thermograph
B)bilateral
C)electrical
D)thermoresistant
E)bimetallic

Question 78

The daily (diurnal)range of temperature is greatest next to the ____________________.

Question 79

If it is winter and January in New York City, the season in Sydney, Australia is ____________________.

Question 80

Maximum daily temperatures under hazy skies are typically ____________________ than those under clear skies.