Test 1 + 2 Global Warming

The solar constant for Mars is smaller than the solar constant for earth partly because the radius of Mars is less than that of earth

False (Mars is much farther from the Sun than Earth)

the earth reflects about 70% of the solar radiation incident upon it

False (The Earth reflects approximately 30% of incident solar radiation)

a perfect black body at a temperature 290K will admit energy primarily in the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum

true

the sky is blue because Rayleigh scattering decreases the wavelength of the incoming solar radiation shifting it from yellow to blue visible wavelengths

false (deflects does not change wavelength)

A blackbody with a temperature of 5500K will emit energy at a longer wavelength than a blackbody at a temperature of 300K

false (more T = smaller wavelength)

the radiative cloud forcing depends on both a cloud shortwave albedo and its elevation

true

during a time of high solar activity with many sunspot present in the sun's photosphere earth solar constant is about 20% greater than during an inactive with few sunspots

false

when a molecule in the Earth's atmosphere absorbs and re emits radiation the wavelength of radiation can change

true

high surface temperature of the Sahara desert drive a strong latent heat flux

false

Earth's atmosphere is more effective at absorbing solar radiation than it is at absorbing terrestrial radiation

false

The sensible heat flux from the surface is greater when the difference in temperature between the surface and the lower atmosphere is larger

true

temperature decreases with altitude in the atmosphere from the surface up to about 12 kilometer and then the temperature is constant with elevation before increasing with altitude through the stratosphere

true

choose the correct answer low level clouds over cool ocean surfaces such as marine stratus clouds

• warm the local climate

• cool the local climate

• have little effect on the local climate

• cool the local climate

Which of the following emits longwave radiation

• high clouds

• low clouds

• greenhouse gasses in the earth’s atmosphere

• the sun

• people

high clouds, low clouds, green house gasses, people

choose all of the correct answers the radiative equilibrium temperature on the earth depends on

• The earth's sun distance

• concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

• the planetary albedo

• the solar luminosity

The Earth's sun distance, the planetary albedo, the solar luminosity

which of the following statements are correct

• the solar constant is constant

• the solar constant is the rate at which energy is absorbed by the earth system per square meter

• the solar constant for Venus is greater than the solar constant for earth

• changes in the solar luminosity do not change the solar constant

• The solar constant is the rate at which energy is absorbed by the Earth’s system per square meter

• The solar constant for Venus is greater than the solar constant for Earth

along the equator the thermocline is deeper in the West than the east

true

OLR in the central Equatorial Pacific decreases during a warm El Nino event

true

At the top of the atmosphere near the equator incoming solar radiation exceeds outgoing long wave radiation

true

Annual mean atmospheric CO2 concentrations at the South Pole are about the same say as within 2% as annual mean atmospheric CO2 concentrations at the Mauna loa observatory in Hawaii

true

Eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean sea surface temps are about 5 K cooler than in the western equatorial Pacific

True

Which of these are correct observed values of 13 C over 12 C ratio in the atmosphere are observed to be decreasing because

• CO2 is outgassing from the oceans as the climate warms

• fossil fuels are depleting in 13 C compared to the average atmospheric CO2

• burning of fossil fuels is the primary cause of increased atmospheric CO2 levels

• fossil fuels are depleting in 13 C compared to the average atmospheric CO2

• Burning of fossil fuels is the primary cause of increased atmospheric CO2 levels

What is the approximate concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere currently what is the pre industrial value what percent has human activity increased the atmospheric CO2 concentration

440 ppm current

270 ppm post

61% change

Consider the annual mean surface heat balance. Which of the following is the largest?

• solar radiation absorbed by the surface

• long-wave back radiation

• sensible heat flux

• latent heat flux

• long-wave back radiation

The Kuroshio Is a warm eastern boundary current

false

The thermohaline circulation is primarily driven by the action of the wind on the surface of the ocean

false

The North Pacific ocean gyre circulates counterclockwise

false

the Hadley circulation extends from the equator to about 50° latitude in both hemispheres

false

The Hadley circulation is comprised of two cells throughout the year

false

What is the definition of thermally direct circulation

circulation that is driven by wind and density differences the circulation moves cooler air into warmer areas and warmer into cooler to help balance the system

A parcel of water at the ocean surface in the Antarctic circumpolar region is initially at rest

a.     when a westerly wind begins to blow in approximately what direction will the parcel move as frictional forces accelerate and experience the coriolis force

b.      in what direction will the ocean water be transported averaged over the full depth of the ocean mixed layer

a. north-northeast (or more generally, left of east)

b. 90 degrees to the left (northward)

Explain why the level of the surface of the ocean in the Antarctic circumpolar region is about 1m lower than the globally averaged ocean surface height

The ocean surface around Antarctica is about 1 meter lower because strong westerly winds drive the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, which causes water to be transported northward through Ekman transport. This divergence of surface water leads to upwelling of deeper water and a slight depression in sea surface height in the circumpolar region compared to the global average.