Quiz 4: Radiation

Climatology relies on which branches of science to model and explain interactions between subsystems?

Chemistry and physics

The law of conservation of energy states what?

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, and energy can change form

Energy moving from higher to lower temperatures is an example of which law of thermodynamics?

Second law of thermodynamics

Which segment of the electromagnetic spectrum is perceptible to the human eye?

Visible radiation

What are some known uses of visible radiation in the biosphere?

All of the above

Which wavelengths are most strongly connected with heating the atmosphere?

Infrared

When will an object not emit radiation of any kind?

When its temperature is equal to absolute zero

What does a black body at a constant temperature do?

Absorbs all radiation reaching it and emits the radiant energy it absorbs

What is the relationship between the wavelength of most intense radiation and temperature?

Inversely proportional

At what wavelengths is the Sun's peak emission perceived by the human eye?

Green

According to the Stefan–Boltzmann law, how does a small temperature change impact emitted energy?

A small change in temperature means a large change in emitted energy

Why can Earth achieve a temperature balance through global radiative equilibrium?

One-half of Earth is always receiving sunlight, and radiation is emitted from all places on Earth at all times

What surfaces emit radiation?

Surfaces with temperatures above absolute zero

Greenhouse gases, particularly water vapor, impact which variations in microclimates at the same latitude?

Temperature

Which greenhouse gas has been continuously monitored at Mauna Loa Observatory for natural fluctuations?

CO₂ (carbon dioxide)

Where can we find direct evidence of CO₂ fluctuations before the Industrial Revolution?

Air bubbles in ice

Global warming potential compares the heat trapped by a greenhouse gas with the heat trapped by an equal mass of which gas?

CO₂ (carbon dioxide)

What is Earth's planetary albedo?

31%

Why are snowboarders and skiers easily sunburned?

Snow reflects more solar radiation than it absorbs

How can the albedo of a surface change?

By changing the altitude of the Sun

What instrument is used to measure temperature?

Thermometer

How does the Sun produce energy?

Nuclear fusion

The circle of illumination is the distinguishing line between what?

Day and night

Which factor has the greatest impact on climate among the listed options?

Axial tilt

Which factors help explain the role of latitude in affecting climate?

The amount of solar radiation received at a given time and how much atmosphere is above a location to absorb radiation

How does the source region of an air mass affect the area over which it moves?

Air masses retain the character of their source region

Why do large-scale pressure systems affect the energy imbalance?

Energy is moved by pressure systems from low latitudes to the poles

Why is the daytime sky blue?

Nitrogen and oxygen preferentially scatter violet-blue wavelengths

What is the quantity of heat required to raise 1 gram of water by one degree Celsius called?

Calorie

What happens to energy on Earth after it is received from the Sun?

It is absorbed, re-emitted, and transferred

What is entropy?

A measure of disorder between two fluids

What happens to temperature as the average molecular kinetic energy of a substance increases?

Temperature increases as kinetic energy increases

Which law describes the relationship between temperature and the wavelength at which energy is emitted?

Wien's law

What is the amount of solar radiation arriving on a horizontal surface per unit area and time called?

Incident solar radiation

Compared with radiation received from the Sun, how much radiation does Earth's surface receive from the atmosphere?

Twice as much

What would happen to Earth without the greenhouse effect?

It would be too cold for humans

Before the Industrial Revolution, what was the primary source of heating energy?

Trees

Through which process do plants use carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose?

Photosynthesis

Chlorofluorocarbons contain methane-derived compounds and which other chemicals?

Chlorine and fluorine

Which surfaces are typically warmer?

Those with a low albedo

Energy is converted to heat when it is what?

Absorbed

Which wavelengths reach greater depths in the ocean?

Blues and greens

What measures the motion of particles contained in a substance?

Temperature

Who was the first to use the instrument we now know as a thermometer?

Galileo

What accuracy is needed in a thermometer used for weather and climate measurements?

0.5°F

During which month does Earth reach perihelion in its orbit?

January

In the Northern Hemisphere, between the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, which is true?

The day is longer than the night

At the equator, when is solar altitude at its greatest value?

On the equinoxes

Which method of heat transfer requires direct contact between two objects?

Conduction

When during the day is there the greatest risk of sunburn?

At local solar noon