Earth and Space Test

Where does most evaporation come from?

equatorial oceans

Which of the following is the atmospheric layer closest to Earth’s surface?

troposphere

How does the electromagnetic energy from the sun hitting Earth’s surface affect the climate of an area?

The energy hitting the Earth’s surface will be absorbed and radiated into the atmosphere, causing the climate to be warmer than it otherwise would be.

What modern organism serves the same function as cyanobacteria by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen as P waste gas?

trees

The radiation from the sun heats up Earth’s surface near the equator more than other areas. When this energy radiates into the atmosphere, how does it impact the atmosphere near the equator?

The air heats up and rises, forming an area of low pressure. This low-pressure area will have warm, moist air, and precipitation.

Why is the sun’s energy that reaches the equator more intense than that which reaches the poles?

the sun’s rays hit the equator at an angle near 90 degrees

What would happen to the stratosphere if humans were to increase the amount of ozone within it?

It would be colder because ozone absorbs heat radiated from the mesosphere.

Which statement describes a way the geosphere would be different if Earth had no atmosphere?

Gases would not spew and lava would not flow from volcanoes.

Which layer of the Earth’s atmosphere would we find the ozone?

stratospehre

Which layer of the Earth’s atmosphere would we find most water vapor?

troposphere

Earth’s water cycle involves interactions between the atmosphere and the hydrosphere. Which stages of the water cycle increase as a result of temperature decrease?

condensation and precipitation

In which layer of the atmosphere is the maximum altitude to which weather balloons can travel?

troposphere

Our atmosphere is made up of

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% argon

Weathering and erosion occur when which two Earth system spheres interact?

atmosphere and hydrosphere

All of the following are green house gases except: O2, CO2, Methane, Water Vapor

O2

The Coriolis effect

Causes objects in the southern hemisphere to be deflected to the left and objects in the northern hemisphere to be deflected to the right.

If you were to look at a weather map, and see a big, red L over St. Louis, what type of weather would we expect?

cloudy with some precipitation, possibly storms

Atmospheric pressure is measured with a(n)

barometer

All of the following are particulates in the atmosphere EXCEPT: CO2, salt, pollen, dust

CO2

In general, the Coriolis effect is noticeable only on objects that move very fast or travel

longer distances

Most, not all but MOST, of our weather in Edwardsville will come from what general direction

West - meaning we are in the westerlies

What processes put water vapor into the air?

evaporation and transportation

The layer of the atmosphere that contains the ionosphere is the

thermosphere

When Felix Baumgardner jumped out of the balloon at 120,000 ft, he could not open his parachute, why?

because it was too cold for it to work

Why did our weather balloon pop when we sent it up into the atmosphere?

the pressure decreased as the balloon rose, causing it to expand until it popped

The Earth is NOT flat!!!!

However, if it were, what would be different in our day to day lives?

We would have similar seasons and the sun would set at the same time for everyone on Earth.

The sky is blue because of

shorter BLUE wavelengths of light scattering due to deflection off of molecules in Earth’s atmosphere

We believe Earth’s first atmosphere primarily consisted of what two gases?

hydrogen and helium

Which of the following is NOT an example of pollution we find on Earth?

A) burning of fossil fuels to heat homes and run cars

B) forest fires

C) volcanic eruptions

D) all are examples of pollution

D) all are examples of pollution

All of the following contribute to the warming and cooling of the Earth EXCEPT

A) the solar cycle and sunspots

B) Earth’s eccentricity and orbit

C) volcanic eruptions

D) burning of fossil fuels

E) all contribute to the warming and cooling of Earth

E) all contribute to the warming and cooling of Earth

If you were in the vacuum of space, without a space suit or protection, which of the following would you most likely die from?

A) you would burn up from the intense heat

B) you would freeze to death

C) both A and B

D) neither A or B

B) you would freeze to death

Which of the following is a cause of wind?

A) the vacuum of space

B) differences in solar heating and air pressure

C) Earth’s curvature

D) differences in gravity

B) differences in solar heating and air pressure

The layer of Earth’s atmosphere where most meteors burn up, and that is the coldest is the

Mesosphere

Air will always travel from

High pressure to Low pressure