Question 1

Which one of the following statements is true about the equinoxes?
A) They occur in June and December.
B) The Sun's vertical rays are striking either the Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn.
C) Days and nights are equal in length everywhere.
D) The length of daylight at the Arctic and Antarctic Circles is 24 hours.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 2

At noon on February 21, the Sun is overhead ________.
A) at the equator
B) at some point between the Tropic of Capricorn and the equator, heading southward
C) at some point between the Tropic of Cancer and the equator, heading northward
D) at some point between the Tropic of Capricorn and the equator, heading northward

Accepted Answer

On February 21, the Sun is moving northward from the Tropic of Capricorn towards the equator, as it approaches the vernal equinox in March.

Question 3

The storage of heat in the lower layer of the atmosphere produced by certain heat absorbing gases is called the ________.
A) adiabatic effect
B) greenhouse effect
C) grey-body effect
D) photon effect

Accepted Answer

The storage of heat in the lower layer of the atmosphere produced by certain heat absorbing gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, is called the greenhouse effect. This effect is named after the way in which a greenhouse traps heat, as these gases allow sunlight to pass through but prevent the escape of heat, thus leading to a warming of the atmosphere.

Question 4

Ozone is concentrated in the ________.
A) troposphere
B) mesosphere
C) stratosphere
D) ionosphere

Accepted Answer

Ozone is mainly concentrated in the stratosphere, which is the layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere and extends from about 10 to 50 kilometers above the Earth's surface. The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which plays a key role in absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Question 5

The triatomic form of oxygen (O₃) is known as ________. A) argon B) ozone C) chlorofluorocarbon D) molecular oxygen

Accepted Answer

The triatomic form of oxygen is known as ozone. Argon is a different element, molecular oxygen refers to the diatomic form of oxygen, and chlorofluorocarbons are synthetic chemicals that contain carbon, fluorine, and chlorine.

Question 6

The wavelengths of radiation emitted by Earth are ________.
A) longer than those emitted by the Sun
B) shorter than those emitted by the Sun
C) about the same as those emitted by the Sun
D) none of these

Accepted Answer

Earth emits radiation in the infrared range, which has longer wavelengths compared to the visible and ultraviolet radiation emitted by the Sun.

Question 7

Which one of the gases listed below is more important meteorologically (that is, is more important in weather processes) than the others?
A) oxygen
B) argon
C) carbon dioxide
D) nitrogen

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide is more important meteorologically because it is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, influencing weather and climate patterns.

Question 8

The normal lapse rate in the troposphere is about ________ per kilometer.
A) 3.5˚C
B) 6.5˚C
C) 1.5˚C
D) 9.5˚C

Accepted Answer

The normal lapse rate in the troposphere is about 6.5˚C per kilometer. This means that for every kilometer you go up in the troposphere, the temperature decreases by 6.5˚C. This is a result of the decrease in atmospheric pressure as altitude increases.

Question 9

Fifty percent of the gases making up the atmosphere are found below ________.
A) 10 miles (16.2 km)
B) 6 ½ miles (10.4 km)
C) 3 ½ miles (5.6 km)
D) 8 miles (12.8 km)

Accepted Answer

The majority of atmospheric gases are concentrated in the lower layers, with 50% of the atmosphere's mass found below approximately 3 ½ miles (5.6 km) due to the gravitational pull of the Earth.

Question 10

The longest wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum are ________.
A) gamma
B) ultraviolet
C) radio
D) infrared

Accepted Answer

The longest wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum are radio waves, which fall under the radio section of the spectrum. Gamma, ultraviolet, and infrared waves have shorter wavelengths than radio waves.

Question 11

On the average, how much of the Sun's energy that is intercepted by Earth is reflected back to space?
A) 10%
B) 20%
C) 30%
D) 40%

Accepted Answer

About 30% of incoming solar radiation is reflected back to space by Earth's atmosphere and surface. This is known as the albedo effect. The remaining 70% of solar radiation is absorbed by Earth's surface and atmosphere, which drives weather processes and is ultimately radiated back out to space as infrared radiation.

Question 12

Ozone filters out most of the ________ radiation in sunlight.
A) infrared
B) gamma
C) ultraviolet
D) microwave

Accepted Answer

Ozone filters out most of the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight.

Question 13

Air may best be described as ________.
A) an element
B) a compound
C) a mixture
D) none of these

Accepted Answer

Air is a mixture of different gases including nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases. It is not a pure substance like an element or compound, therefore C is the best choice.

Question 14

On the AVERAGE, for every 1 km increase in altitude in the troposphere, the air temperature ________.
A) drops about 6.5˚C
B) rises about 6.5˚C
C) remains constant
D) rises only during the day

Accepted Answer

On the average, for every 1 km increase in altitude in the troposphere, the air temperature drops about 6.5˚C. This is known as the environmental lapse rate.

Question 15

With which of the following is dust in the atmosphere associated?
A) reflection of solar energy
B) optical phenomena such as a red sky at sunset
C) condensation and cloud formation
D) all of these

Accepted Answer

Dust particles in the atmosphere can contribute to the reflection of solar energy, which can lead to optical phenomena like a red sky at sunset. Additionally, dust can also play a role in condensation and cloud formation. Therefore, all of the given options are correct.

Question 16

The lowest layer of the atmosphere is the ________.
A) troposphere
B) mesosphere
C) stratosphere
D) ionosphere

Accepted Answer

The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending from the Earth's surface up to about 7-20 kilometers (depending on latitude and season). It is where most of the weather occurs and where we live and breathe.

Question 17

Practically all clouds and storms occur in this layer of the atmosphere.
A) troposphere
B) mesosphere
C) stratosphere
D) ionosphere

Accepted Answer

The answer of Practically all clouds and storms occur in...

Question 18

Which one of the following latitudes best represents the location where the Sun is directly overhead at noon on April 21?
A) 0˚
B) 8˚S
C) 8˚N
D) 23.5˚N

Accepted Answer

On April 21, the Sun is directly overhead at noon at a latitude of approximately 8˚N, as it moves northward from the equator towards the Tropic of Cancer (23.5˚N) during the spring equinox period.

Question 19

Which one of the following is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere?
A) oxygen
B) argon
C) carbon dioxide
D) nitrogen

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen makes up approximately 78% of the Earth's atmosphere, making it the most abundant gas. Oxygen, argon, and carbon dioxide are also present, but in much lower amounts.

Question 20

The tropopause is the boundary between ________
A) the troposphere and stratosphere
B) tropical and polar air masses
C) the troposphere and mesosphere
D) two layers of high ozone concentration

Accepted Answer

The tropopause is the boundary between the troposphere (the lowest layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs) and the stratosphere.

Quiz 16: The Atmosphere: Composition, Structure, and Temperature

Which one of the following statements is true about the equinoxes?

At noon on February 21, the Sun is overhead ________.

The storage of heat in the lower layer of the atmosphere produced by certain heat absorbing gases is called the ________.

Ozone is concentrated in the ________.

The triatomic form of oxygen (O3) is known as ________.

The wavelengths of radiation emitted by Earth are ________.

Which one of the gases listed below is more important meteorologically (that is, is more important in weather processes) than the others?

The normal lapse rate in the troposphere is about ________ per kilometer.

Fifty percent of the gases making up the atmosphere are found below ________.

The longest wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum are ________.

On the average, how much of the Sun's energy that is intercepted by Earth is reflected back to space?

Ozone filters out most of the ________ radiation in sunlight.

Air may best be described as ________.

On the AVERAGE, for every 1 km increase in altitude in the troposphere, the air temperature ________.

With which of the following is dust in the atmosphere associated?

The lowest layer of the atmosphere is the ________.

Practically all clouds and storms occur in this layer of the atmosphere.

Which one of the following latitudes best represents the location where the Sun is directly overhead at noon on April 21?

Which one of the following is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere?

The tropopause is the boundary between ________

The triatomic form of oxygen (O₃) is known as ________.