FSU Oceanography Chapter 16 (most) Pearson Questions

16.1: What is the result of a positive feedback loop?

warms the climate even more after an initial warming

warms the climate after an initial cooling

cools the climate even more after an initial cooling

acts to keep the climate steady and balance it against change

cools the climate after an initial warming

warms the climate even more after an initial warming, cools the climate even more after an initial cooling

16.1: What is the result of a negative feedback loop?

acts to keep the climate steady and balance it against change

cools the climate even more after an initial cooling

warms the climate even more after an initial warming

warms the climate after an initial cooling

cools the climate after an initial warming

acts to keep the climate steady and balance it against change, warms the climate after an initial cooling, cools the climate after an initial warming

16.1: Which of the following statements is/are an example of a positive feedback loop?

cooling temperatures leading to decreased evaporation rates, leading to less water vapor in the atmosphere and further cooling

warming temperatures leading to increased water vapor in the atmosphere and leading to additional warming

warming temperatures leading to decreased water vapor in the atmosphere and leading to additional warming

warming temperatures leading to decreased water vapor in the atmosphere and leading to cooling

warming temperatures leading to increased water vapor in the atmosphere and leading to cooling

cooling temperatures leading to decreased evaporation rates, leading to less water vapor in the atmosphere and further cooling, warming temperatures leading to increased water vapor in the atmosphere and leading to additional warming

16.1: Which of the following statements is/are an example of a negative feedback loop?

warming temperatures leading to decreased cloudiness and leading to additional warming

cooling temperatures leading to decreased cloudiness and leading to warming

warming temperatures leading to increased cloudiness and leading to cooling

warming temperatures leading to increased cloudiness and leading to additional warming

warming temperatures leading to decreased cloudiness and leading to cooling

cooling temperatures leading to decreased cloudiness and leading to warming, warming temperatures leading to increased cloudiness and leading to cooling

16.1: Which of the following statements regarding the role of clouds in Earth’s climate is/are correct?

The decrease in clouds in a cooling climate acts as a negative feedback by reflecting less sunlight, making it warmer.

The increase in clouds in a warming climate acts as a negative feedback by reflecting more sunlight, making it cooler.

Clouds reflect incoming sunlight, so they are always a negative feedback to climate.

The increase in clouds in a warming climate acts as a positive feedback by trapping more heat, making it warmer.

The decrease in clouds in a cooling climate acts as a positive feedback by trapping less heat, making it cooler.

The decrease in clouds in a cooling climate acts as a negative feedback by reflecting less sunlight, making it warmer, The increase in clouds in a warming climate acts as a negative feedback by reflecting more sunlight, making it cooler, The increase in clouds in a warming climate acts as a positive feedback by trapping more heat, making it warmer, The decrease in clouds in a cooling climate acts as a positive feedback by trapping less heat, making it cooler.

16.2: Which of the following is the cause of the presumed pause in the rise of Earth's average global surface temperature in the past few decades?

Decrease in solar output

Measurement bias from the greater use of buoys

Moderate surface cooling of the Indian Ocean

Variability in sunspot cycles

A global warming hiatus

Measurement bias from the greater use of buoys

16.2: Judge the following sentence: Volcanic eruptions are responsible for the recent observable climate changes BECAUSE large and long lasting volcanic eruptions may have been influential in contributing to Earth's climate shifts in the distant past.

The assertion is incorrect, but the reason is correct.

16.2: Judge the following sentence: An increase in solar output explains all of the recent global warming BECAUSE sunspot activity shows a strong correlation between solar activity and average Earth temperate since 1880.

The assertion is incorrect, but the reason is correct.

16.3: What percentage of the Sun's energy that reaches Earth is reflected from its surface back into space?

6%

16.3: Which of the following statements about Earth of 56 million years ago is correct?

The climate was much colder than it is today.

Climate change was triggered by a huge release of volcanic ash.

Ocean surface waters were enriched in dissolved oxygen.

It was marked by the extinction of many marine species.

There was a decrease in ocean temperatures.

It was marked by the extinction of many marine species

16.3: Which of the following contributes the most to the greenhouse effect?

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Methane (CH4)

Nitrous oxide (N2O)

Water vapor

Water vapor

16.4: Which of the following ocean changes are predicted to result from increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

An increase in the pH of the oceans

Greater amounts of dissolved oxygen in seawater

An increase in sea-surface temperature

Development of a stronger thermocline

Migration of marine organisms into deeper waters and toward the poles

An increase in sea-surface temperature, Development of a stronger thermocline, Migration of marine organisms into deeper waters and toward the poles

16.5: Global engineering (geoengineering) proposals to reduce Earth’s greenhouse effect include which of the following?

Creating man-made glaciers in tropical areas to increase the solar radiation reflected back into space

Reflecting solar radiation back into space using man-made devices

Adding nutrients to the ocean to accelerate the biological pump

Spraying sulfate aerosols into the atmosphere to promote the formation of clouds

Releasing gas-eating bacteria into the atmosphere to reduce heat-trapping gases

Reflecting solar radiation back into space using man-made devices, Adding nutrients into the ocean to accelerate the biological pump, Spraying sulfate aerosols into the atmosphere to promote the formation of clouds

16.5: Judge the following sentence: The vast majority of carbon dioxide in the ocean-atmosphere system is found in the ocean BECAUSE carbon dioxide has a high solubility in water.

The assertion and the reason are both correct, and the reason is valid.

16.3: What was the concentration of carbon dioxide, in parts per million (ppm), in the pre-industrial period?

280

16.3: Which greenhouse gas is currently contributing the most to increasing the greenhouse effect?

carbon dioxide

16.3: The concentration of which greenhouse gas is currently increasing at the fastest rate?

methane

16.3: Which greenhouse gas is the most powerful in terms of how heat is absorbed by one molecule of the gas?

CFC-12

16.3: Which greenhouse gases have natural sources as well as human-caused sources?

methane

tropospheric ozone

nitrous oxide

carbon dioxide

chlorofluorocarbons

methane, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide

16.3: Scientists use complex computer models to predict scenarios for future climate change. Which of the factors listed below is/are included in the climate models?

clouds and climate feedback loops

temperatures on Venus, a planet that has very high concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide

temperatures on Mars, a planet that is thought to have been very much like Earth billions of years ago

anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions

human population increases and economic changes

clouds and climate feedback loops, anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, human population increases and economic changes

16.1: Which of Earth’s spheres make up the climate system?

hydrosphere

atmosphere

cryosphere

biosphere

geosphere

hydrosphere, atmosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, geosphere

16.1: Which of Earth’s spheres are humans a part of?

biosphere

16.1: What is the primary driver of Earth’s climate?

solar radiation

16.1: Which of the following statements correctly identify a mechanism by which two spheres interact?

The geosphere and atmosphere interact through the activity of marine organisms.

The hydrosphere and atmosphere interact through evaporation and precipitation.

The cryosphere and atmosphere interact through forest fires.

The biosphere and atmosphere interact through forest fires.

The geosphere and atmosphere interact through volcanic eruptions.

The hydrosphere and atmosphere interact through evaporation and precipitation, The biosphere and atmosphere interact through forest fires, The geosphere and atmosphere interact through volcanic eruptions.

How do snow and ice on the surface of Earth affect Earth’s climate?

Snow and ice reflect incoming solar radiation.

16.3: Which of the following statements regarding Earth’s natural climate variations is/are correct?

Recent spikes in carbon dioxide and methane are not a part of Earth’s natural climate cycle.

When carbon dioxide concentrations are higher, methane concentrations are higher.

Natural variations include the Medieval Warm Period and the Little Ice Age.

When methane concentrations are higher, temperatures are lower.

When carbon dioxide concentrations are higher, temperatures are lower.

Recent spikes in carbon dioxide and methane are not a part of Earth’s natural climate cycle, When carbon dioxide concentrations are higher, methane concentrations are higher, Natural variations include the Medieval Warm Period and the Little Ice Age.

16.3: What is the cause of the recent spikes in atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane concentrations?

Industrial Revolution

16.4: Arctic sea ice naturally __________ during the dark, cold winters and __________ during the spring and summer.

expands; contracts

16.4: The minimum area of Arctic sea ice cover has been __________ as air and water temperatures have been __________ over the past several decades.

decreasing; increasing

16.4: As sea ice melts and becomes liquid water, __________ heat is then absorbed from the Sun, creating warmer surface waters.

more

16.4: Arctic sea ice reached a historic minimum in 2012 that was approximately __________ the size of the long-term average recorded during 1979–2000.

one-half

16.1: Judge the following sentence: The melting of Arctic sea ice by rising temperatures is an example of a negative-feedback loop BECAUSE the lack of ice cover will result in the Arctic Ocean reflecting more of the Sun's radiation.

Both the assertion and the reason are incorrect.

16.1: Judge the following sentence: The melting of Arctic sea ice by rising temperatures is an example of a positive-feedback loop BECAUSE particulate air pollution has a shading effect.

The assertion and the reason are both correct, but the reason is invalid.

16.1: Judge the following sentence: The net result of an increase in atmospheric moisture should be a decrease in air temperature BECAUSE the heat absorption of water vapor in the atmosphere dominates over the higher reflectivity of clouds.

The assertion is correct, but the reason is incorrect.

16.1: Which of the following is considered paleoclimatological proxy data?

Reversed magnetic polarity

Trapped air bubbles in glacial ice

Variations in Earth's orbit

Present day coral bleaching

Air samples collected in Hawaii

Trapped air bubbles in glacial ice

16.1: The most massive part of Earth's climate system belongs to the ________.

hydrosphere

16.1: An increase in cloud cover due to higher moisture content in the atmosphere is an example of a(n) ________.

negative-feedback loop

16.1: Which of the following is not part of Earth's climate system?

Atmosphere

Geosphere

Hydrosphere

Biosphere

Exosphere

Exosphere

16.1: Combustion of fossil fuels results in a transfer of carbon from the ____________ to the ____________.

lithosphere; atmosphere

16.2: Judge the following sentence: The movement of Earth's tectonic plates is responsible for the recent observable climate changes BECAUSE during the geologic past, plate movements have accounted for many dramatic climate changes.

The assertion is incorrect, but the reason is correct.

16.2: Judge the following sentence: Volcanic eruptions are responsible for the recent observable climate changes BECAUSE eruptions release into the atmosphere at least 130 times more heat-trapping carbon dioxide than humans do.

Both the assertion and the reason are incorrect.

16.2: Judge the following sentence: The dramatic and rapid climate change that is occurring on our planet cannot be explained by variations in the obliquity of Earth's rotational axis BECAUSE this variation has a cycle of about 41,000 years.

The assertion and the reason are both correct, and the reason is valid.

16.2: Judge the following sentence: An increase in solar output explains all of the recent global warming BECAUSE proxy data of solar brightness over the past 1000 years shows a correlation with changes in climate.

Both the assertion and the reason are incorrect.

16.2: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued which of the following statements?

Ocean acidification is not a problem because the ocean does not absorb carbon dioxide gas.

The temperature increases observed since the mid-20th century are very likely due to natural causes.

Recent regional climate changes have not yet affected physical systems on Earth.

Climate change models can mimic present-day conditions only if human emissions are taken into account.

Human climate alterations have not yet produced significant impacts on biological systems.

Climate change models can mimic present-day conditions only if human emissions are taken into account.

Which of the following is the only viable explanation for the documented and observable recent climate changes, including the increased average temperature of Earth's surface?

Major volcanic eruptions

Variations in Earth's orbit

Release of human-caused emissions

Reversed magnetic polarity

Changes in the Sun's brightness

Release of human-caused emissions

hich of the following is a natural factor that does NOT affect Earth's climate?

Reversed magnetic polarity

Changes in solar energy

Variations in Earth's orbit

Tectonic plate movement

Volcanic eruptions

Reversed magnetic polarity

16.2: Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide inputs

Tectonic plate movement

Variation in the Earth's orbit

Volcanic activity

Changes in solar input

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide inputs

16.2: Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.

Cryosphere

Geosphere

Biosphere

Lithosphere

Atmosphere

Lithosphere

16.2: Periodic variations in Earth's orbit that can cause natural climate changes are called __________.

Milankovitch cycles

16.2: Using proxy data, scientists have compiled a detailed record of Earth's climate over the recent geologic past. This science is called __________.

paleoclimatology

16.3: What percentage of the Sun's energy that reaches Earth is absorbed by ocean and land?

47%

16.3: The current level of atmospheric ________ recently surpassed 400 parts per million.

carbon dioxide

16.3: Sophisticated climate models forecast a strong warming of ________.

high northern latitudes

16.3: How much are global surface temperature expected to increase by the year 2100 if humans follow a "business-as-usual" scenario?

4 degrees Celsius

16.3: Which of the following greenhouse gases is produced by leakage from landfills, by domestic cattle, and by the cultivation of rice?

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Methane (CH4)

Nitrous oxide (N2O)

Water vapor

Methane (CH4)

16.3: Which of the following is the key to understanding how the greenhouse effect works?

The change of wavelengths from visible to infrared

How currents are created in the oceans

The ocean readily absorbs carbon dioxide gas

How plants produce carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water

The difference between surface waters and deep waters

The change of wavelengths from visible to infrared

16.3: What percentage of the Sun's energy that reaches Earth's surface is reflected by clouds back into space?

17%

16.3: What percentage of the Sun's energy that reaches Earth is reflected back into space?

30%

16.3: Judge the following sentence: The greenhouse effect is not a natural process that influences the temperature of Earth's surface and atmosphere BECAUSE it is now being altered by human emissions.

The assertion is incorrect, but the reason is correct.

16.3: Shortwave sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere, where it strikes the surface and is converted into longer-wavelength ________ radiation.

infrared

16.3: Over the past 30 years, Earth's average surface temperature has risen by:

0.6 degrees Celsius

16.3: Domestic cattle production and rice agriculture release relatively large amounts of which gas into the atmosphere?

methane (CH4)

16.4: Based on a comparison of satellite images from 1984 to 2011, which of the following trees has migrated by about 12 square kilometers north, along Florida's Atlantic coast?

Oak

Mangrove

Pine

Buttonwood

Spruce

Mangrove

16.4: Some scientists suggest we can increase the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere by adding ________ to stimulate productivity in tropical oceans.

iron

16.4: Currently, about ________ of the carbon dioxide humankind releases into the atmosphere enters the oceans.

one-third

16.4: Currently, a little less than ________ of the carbon dioxide humankind releases into the atmosphere stays there.

half

16.4: The scientific consensus is that global warming has led to ___________.

an increase in oxygen-depleted dead zones

16.4: Climate models and observations to date indicate that the oceans will warm the most in __________.

high-latitude areas

16.4: Which of the following is not an effect of climate change in the oceans?

increasing ocean temperatures

decreasing ocean acidity

melting of polar ice

increasing hurricane intensity

changes in deep-water circulation

decreasing ocean acidity

16.4: Satellite data show that the rate of global sea level rise since 1993 is on average about:

3 millimeters/year

16.4: Circulation in which of the following oceans is particularly sensitive to changes in its deep-water circulation pattern that dramatically and abruptly affect climate?

The Southern Ocean

The North Pacific Ocean

The South Atlantic Ocean

The North Atlantic Ocean

The South Pacific Ocean

The North Atlantic Ocean

16.4: Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.

Deep ocean water thermal expansion

Tectonic uplifting

Antarctic and Greenland ice sheet melting

Surface ocean water thermal expansion

Melting of terrestrial glaciers and ice caps

Tectonic uplifting

16.4: The ________ is one of the locations where the effects of global warming are being most keenly felt and likely will experience quite dramatic changes in the future.

Arctic

16.1: Which pathway has the largest annual flux of carbon between reservoirs?

Atmosphere to biosphere

Biosphere to atmosphere

Atmosphere to ocean

Ocean to atmosphere

Atmosphere to biosphere

16.2: Variations in Earth's orbit that influence long-term climate changes include ________.

eccentricity, obliquity and precession

16.2: In which hemisphere are the northern lights called the aurora borealis?

Northern

16.2: When was the historic eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia?

1883

16.3: Which human-caused atmospheric gas is from the leakage, domestic cattle, and rice agriculture?

Methane

16.3: Which human-caused atmospheric gas is from the combustion of fossil fuels?

Carbon dioxide

16.3: Of the following atmospheric gases, only __________ is an important greenhouse gas.

argon (Ar)

water vapor (H2O)

hydrogen sulfide (H2S)

nitrogen (N2)

oxygen (O2)

water vapor (H2O)

16.1: List Earth’s carbon reservoirs from largest to smallest. For deep-sea sediments, assume an average value.

lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, atmosphere

16.1: Every year, ____ gigatons of carbon are added to the atmosphere and ____ gigatons of carbon are added to the ocean.

4, 2

16.1: What process moves carbon from the lithosphere to the atmosphere?

burning of fossil fuels

16.1: Excess carbon taken up by the ocean can be contained in which of the following reservoirs?

marine sediment

surface water

rock

deep water

deep-sea sediments (methane hydrates)

marine sediment, surface water, rock, deep water, deep-sea sediments (methane hydrates)

16.2: Which of the following are true of Earth’s eccentricity?

The time between maximum eccentricity and minimum eccentricity is 100,000 years.

Eccentricity refers to Earth’s tilt.

Higher eccentricity leads to more extreme seasons on Earth.

The time between maximum eccentricity and maximum eccentricity is 100,000 years.

High eccentricity means close to circular.

Higher eccentricity leads to more extreme seasons on Earth, The time between maximum eccentricity and maximum eccentricity is 100,000 years

16.2: Which of the following are true of Earth’s tilt?

Earth’s tilt is currently at its minimum.

The time between maximum tilt and minimum tilt is 41,000 years.

Tilt is also referred to as obliquity.

Greater tilt leads to more extreme seasons on Earth.

The time between maximum tilt and maximum tilt is 41,000 years.

Tilt is also referred to as obliquity, Greater tilt leads to more extreme seasons on Earth, The time between maximum tilt and maximum tilt is 41,000 years.

16.2: Which of the following are true of Earth’s precession?

Currently, the Northern Hemisphere summer occurs when Earth is farthest from the sun.

Currently, the Southern Hemisphere summer occurs when the Earth is at aphelion.

In 11,500 years, the Northern Hemisphere summer will occur when Earth is farthest from the sun.

Currently, the Northern Hemisphere winter occurs when Earth is closest to the sun.

Precession is caused by the wobble of Earth’s axis as it spins like a top.

Currently, the Northern Hemisphere summer occurs when the Earth is farthest from the sun, Currently, the Northern Hemisphere winter occurs when Earth is closest to the sun, Precession is caused by the wobble of Earth’s axis as it spins like a top.

16.2: Which set of orbital parameters would result in the coldest Northern Hemisphere winters?  

maximum tilt, maximum eccentricity, and precession such that the Northern Hemisphere winter occurs at aphelion

16.2: Which combination of eccentricity and precession would best support a glacial period?

maximum eccentricity and precession such that the Northern Hemisphere summer occurs at aphelion

16.2: Of the following natural factors, which have caused past climate changes on Earth?

Variations in Earth’s orbit

Changes in solar energy

Plate tectonics

Volcanic eruptions

Burning of fossil fuels

Variations in Earth’s orbit, Changes in solar energy, Plate tectonics, Volcanic eruptions

16.3: Which of the following statements about the greenhouse effect and global warming are true?

Global warming will result in more rainfall in some regions.

Eliminating all human-induced greenhouse gas emissions will stop further global warming immediately.

Global warming will reduce sea level due to increased evaporation.

Global warming will result in more intense tropical storms.

The greenhouse effect began about 200 years ago as a result of human-related activities.

Global warming will result in more prolonged droughts in some regions.

Global warming will result in more rainfall in some regions, Global warming will result in more intense tropical storms, Global warming will result in more prolonged droughts in some regions.

16.3: What percentage of the Sun's energy that reaches Earth is absorbed by clouds?

4%