Earth's Atmosphere: Composition, Layers, and Weather Phenomena

Which of the following is considered a variable gas in the earth's atmosphere?

a. water vapor

b. nitrogen

c. oxygen

d. argon

e. all of the above

a. water vapor

The gas that shows the most variation in concentration from place to place and from time to time

in the lower atmosphere.

a. ozone (O3)

b. carbon dioxide (CO2)

c. water vapor (H2O)

d. methane (CH4)

e. argon (Ar)

c. water vapor (H2O)

What gas is produced naturally in the stratosphere and is also a primary component of photochemical smog in polluted air at the surface?

a. carbon dioxide

b. carbon monoxide

c. ozone

d. nitrogen dioxide

e. hydrocarbons

c. ozone

Areas of high atmospheric pressure are also known as

a. hurricanes.

b. middle latitude cyclonic storms.

c. troughs.

d. tornadoes.

e. anticyclones.

e. anticyclones.

Breathing nitrogen gas is __________ to your health.

a. a little harmful

b. harmful

c. very harmful

d. not harmful

d. not harmful

True or False? On a cloudless day, the tropopause is easily visible with the naked eye.

false

While carbon dioxide concentrations are increasing, the concentrations of other greenhouse

gases such as methane are decreasing

false

T/F While the atmosphere absorbs dangerous ultraviolet radiation, it is too thin to protect surface

inhabitants from meteors and other solid objects coming from space

false

The heat energy released when water vapor changes to a liquid is called

a. latent heat of evaporation.

b. latent heat of fusion.

c. latent heat of fission.

d. latent heat of condensation.

d. latent heat of condensation.

The proper order from shortest to longest wavelength is

a. visible, infrared, ultraviolet.

b. infrared, visible, ultraviolet.

c. ultraviolet, visible, infrared.

d. visible, ultraviolet, infrared.

e. ultraviolet, infrared, visible.

c. ultraviolet, visible, infrared

Which of the following statements is not correct?

a. calm, cloudy nights are usually warmer than calm, clear nights

b. each year the earth's surface radiates away more energy than it receives from the sun

c. the horizontal transport of heat by the wind is called advection

d. good absorbers of radiation are usually poor emitters of radiation

d. good absorbers of radiation are usually poor emitters of radiation

The atmospheric greenhouse effect is due primarily to the fact that

a. oxygen and ozone absorb ultraviolet radiation.

b. nitrogen and oxygen transmit visible radiation.

c. cloud formation releases latent heat energy.

d. carbon dioxide and water vapor absorb infrared radiation.

d. carbon dioxide and water vapor absorb infrared radiation.

Clouds _____ infrared radiation and _____ visible radiation.

a. absorb, absorb

b. absorb, reflect

c. reflect, reflect

d. reflect, absorb

b. absorb, reflect

Which of the following processes transports, on average, the most energy from the ground to the

atmosphere?

a. convection

b. conduction

c. radiation

d. latent heat

c. radiation

Incoming solar radiation in middle latitudes is less in winter than in summer because

a. the sun's rays slant more and spread their energy over a larger area.

b. there is a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

c. the cold dense air lowers the intensity of the sun's rays.

d. the earth is furthest from the sun.

a. the sun's rays slant more and spread their energy over a larger area.

T/F Because air molecules are so small, compared to the wavelength of light, air does not scatter or

absorb incoming sunlight.

false

At what time during a 24-hour day would a radiation temperature inversion best be developed?

a. at sunset

b. near sunrise

c. at noon

d. toward the end of the morning

e. between 2 and 5 pm when the air temperature reaches a maximum

b. near sunrise

Wind machines can prevent surface air temperatures from reaching extremely low readings by

a. blowing smoke over an orchard or field.

b. increasing the evaporation rate from fruits and vegetables.

c. mixing surface air with air directly above.

d. reducing the rate of cooling by evaporation.

e. increasing the likelihood of condensation on fruits and vegetables.

c. mixing surface air with air directly above.

How many heating degree-days would there be for a day with a maximum temperature of 30o F

and a minimum temperature of 20o F? (Assume a base temperature of 65o F)

a. 65

b. 45

c. 40

d. 35

e. 10

c. 40

An ideal shelter for housing a temperature-measurement instrument should be

a. white

b. black

c. green

d. yellow

a. white

With which set of conditions below would you expect wet laundry hanging outdoors on a clothesline to dry most quickly?

(Air Temperature (o F), Relative Humidity, Wind Speed)

a. 60, 75%, 20

b. 40, 75%, 20

c. 60, 50%, 20

d. 40, 50%, 10

e. 60, 75%, 10

c. 60, 50%, 20

(highest air temp, lowest rh, highest wind)

As the difference between the air temperature and the dew point increases, the relative humidity

a. increases.

b. decreases.

c. remains constant at a value less than 100%.

d. remains constant and equal to 100%.

b. decreases.

The most abundant gases in the earth's atmosphere by volume are

a. carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

b. oxygen and water vapor.

c. nitrogen and oxygen.

d. oxygen and helium.

e. oxygen and ozone.

c. nitrogen and oxygen.

Which of the following gases could be found in the atmosphere with a concentration greater than 1%?

a. hydrogen (H)

b. water vapor (H2O)

c. carbon dioxide (CO2)

d. ozone (O3)

b. water vapor (H2O)

In a volume of air near the earth's surface, _____ occupies 78% and ____ 21%.

a. nitrogen, oxygen

b. hydrogen, oxygen

c. oxygen, hydrogen

d. nitrogen, water vapor

e. hydrogen, helium

a. nitrogen, oxygen

Water vapor

a. is invisible.

b. colors the sky blue.

c. makes clouds white.

d. is very small drops of liquid water.

a. is invisible.

The only substance near the earth's surface that is found naturally in the atmosphere as a solid,

liquid, and a gas.

a. carbon dioxide

b. water

c. molecular oxygen

d. ozone

e. methane

b. water

The concentration of this gas in the atmosphere can range from about 0% to near 3 or 4%.

a. oxygen (O2)

b. ozone (O3)

c. carbon dioxide (CO2)

d. water vapor (H2O

d. water vapor (H2O

In the atmosphere, tiny solid or liquid suspended particles of various composition are called

a. aerosols.

b. carcinogens.

c. greenhouse gases.

d. fog.

a. aerosols.

Since the turn of this century, CO2 in the atmosphere has

a. disappeared entirely.

b. been decreasing in concentration.

c. remained at about the same concentration from year to year.

d. been increasing in concentration.

d. been increasing in concentration.

The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is relatively low compared to some of the other constituents. CO2 is important none the less because

a. it dissolves in water to form acid rain.

b. it is a greenhouse gas.

c. it is the main ingredient in photochemical smog.

d. it is toxic.

b. it is a greenhouse gas.

This greenhouse gas is used as a refrigerant, a solvent, and during the manufacture of foam.

a. water vapor (H2O)

b. carbon dioxide (CO2)

c. methane (CH4)

d. nitrous oxide (N2O)

e. chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

e. chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

The most abundant greenhouse gas in the earth's atmosphere is

a. carbon dioxide (CO2).

b. nitrous oxide (N2O).

c. water vapor (H2O).

d. methane (CH4).

e. chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

c. water vapor (H2O).

When chlorofluorocarbons are subjected to ultraviolet radiation, ozone-destroying _____ is released.

a. chlorine

b. nitrogen

c. carbon dioxide

d. carbon

e. water vapor

a. chlorine

About 97% of the _____ in the atmosohere is found in the stratosphere where it aborbs the sun's ultraviolet rays.

a. water vapor

b. nitrous oxide

c. carbon dioxide

d. ozone

e. chlorofluorocarbons

d. ozone

The so-called "ozone hole" is observed above

a. the equator.

b. the continent of Australia.

c. the continent of Antarctica.

d. the continent of Asia.

c. the continent of Antarctica.

The earth's first atmosphere was composed primarily of

a. carbon dioxide and water vapor.

b. hydrogen and helium.

c. oxygen and water vapor.

d. argon and nitrogen.

b. hydrogen and helium.

The primary source of the oxygen in the earth's atmosphere during the past half billion years or so

appears to be

a. volcanic eruptions.

b. photosynthesis.

c. photodissociation.

d. exhalations of animal life.

e. transpiration.

b. photosynthesis.

This holds a planet's atmosphere close to its surface.

a. solar radiation

b. gravity

c. cloud cover

d. moisture

e. temperature

b. gravity

Much of Tibet lies at altitudes over 18,000 feet where the pressure is about 500 mb. At such

altitudes, the Tibetans live above roughly

a. 10% of the air molecules in the atmosphere.

b. 25% of the air molecules in the atmosphere.

c. 50% of the air molecules in the atmosphere.

d. 75% of the air molecules in the atmosphere.

c. 50% of the air molecules in the atmosphere.

Which of the following weather elements always decreases as we climb upward in the atmosphere

a. wind

b. temperature

c. pressure

d. moisture

e. all of the above

c. pressure

At jet aircraft cruising altitude (33,000 ft. or about 10 km) you are

a. near the top of the stratosphere.

b. near the top of the troposphere.

c. above the ozone layer.

d. in the ionosphere

b. near the top of the troposphere.

Almost all of the earth's weather occurs in the

a. exosphere.

b. stratosphere.

c. mesosphere.

d. thermosphere.

e. troposphere.

e. troposphere.

The earth's atmosphere is divided into layers based on changes in the vertical profile of

a. air temperature.

b. air pressure.

c. air density.

d. wind speed

a. air temperature.

In a temperature inversion

a. air temperature increases with increasing height.

b. air temperature decreases with increasing height.

c. air temperature remains constant with increasing height.

d. it is warmer at night than during the day.

a. air temperature increases with increasing height.

About 97% of all ozone in the atmosphere is found in the

a. stratosphere.

b. troposphere.

c. exosphere.

d. thermosphere.

a. stratosphere.

The temperature of the tropopause

a. is close to the temperature at the earth's surface.

b. is much colder than the temperature at the earth's surface.

c. has never been measured.

d. is much warmer than the temperature at the earth's surface.

b. is much colder than the temperature at the earth's surface.

A radiosonde

a. is used to monitor surface weather conditions in remote areas.

b. uses radio waves to determine the height of the ionosphere.

c. is carried aloft by balloon and measures weather conditions above the ground.

d. measures water flow in stream beds during flash floods.

c. is carried aloft by balloon and measures weather conditions above the ground.

____ has a major effect on radio communications.

a. Air pressure

b. The ozone layer

c. The ionosphere

d. Air density

c. The ionosphere

The horizontal movement of air is the weather element

a. temperature.

b. pressure.

c. wind.

d. humidity.

c. wind.

The word "weather" is defined as

a. the average of the weather elements.

b. the climate of a region.

c. the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place.

d. any type of falling precipitation.

c. the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place.

The wind direction is

a. the direction from which the wind is blowing.

b. the direction to which the wind is blowing.

c. always directly from high toward low pressure.

d. always directly from low toward high pressure.

a. the direction from which the wind is blowing.

Storms vary in size (diameter). Which list below arranges storms from largest to smallest?

a. hurricane, tornado, middle latitude cyclone, thunderstorm

b. hurricane, middle latitude cyclone, thunderstorm, tornado

c. middle latitude cyclone, tornado, hurricane, thunderstorm

d. middle latitude cyclone, hurricane, thunderstorm, tornado

d. middle latitude cyclone, hurricane, thunderstorm, tornado

A tropical storm system whose winds are in excess of 74 mi/hr is called a(n)

a. anticyclone.

b. tornado.

c. extratropical cyclone.

d. hurricane.

d. hurricane.

Middle latitude storms are also known as

a. anticyclones.

b. hurricanes.

c. extratropical cyclones.

d. tornadoes.

c. extratropical cyclones.

A towering cloud, or cluster of clouds, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and strong gusty

winds.

a. hurricane

b. trough

c. thunderstorm

d. tornado

c. thunderstorm

In the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, surface winds tend to

blow _____ and _____ around an area of surface low pressure.

a. clockwise, inward

b. clockwise, outward

c. counterclockwise, inward

d. counterclockwise, outward

c. counterclockwise, inward

On a weather map, sharp changes in temperature, humidity, and wind direction are marked by

a. a front.

b. an anticyclone.

c. a ridge.

d. blowing dust.

a. front.

The letters H and L on a surface weather map refer to high and low

a. temperature.

b. altitude.

c. pressure.

d. latitude.

c. pressure.

Which of the following is most likely associated with fair weather?

a. high pressure area

b. low pressure area

c. a cold front

d. a warm front

a. high pressure area

Clouds often form in the

a. rising air in the center of a low pressure area.

b. rising air in the center of a high pressure area.

c. sinking air in the center of a low pressure area.

d. sinking air in the center of a high pressure area.

a. rising air in the center of a low pressure area.

The altitude of the troposphere over Honolulu, Hawaii is __________ the altitude of the

troposphere over Fairbanks, Alaska.

a. lower than

b. higher than

c. the same as

b. higher than

When we exhale, our breath __________ greenhouse gases.

a. does not contain any

b. contains some

c. contains only

b. contains some

If you're looking for an ozone hole, your best bet would be to go to

a. Los Angeles

b. Denver

c. Chicago

d. the stratosphere

d. the stratosphere

The atmosphere, which is composed mostly of gases, has _________ mass.

a. no

b. very little

c. a lot of

c. a lot of

Which of the following cities is in the middle latitudes?

a. Quito, Ecuador

b. Panama City, Panama

c. Barrow, Alaska

d. Chicago, Illinois

d. Chicago, Illinois

Extratropical cyclones are found __________

a. inside the tropics

b. outside the tropics

c. both inside and outside the tropics

d. neither inside nor outside the tropics

T/F The concentrations of nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor show very little variation in

concentration from place to place and from time to time in the lower atmosphere.

false

T/F Most of the water vapor in the atmosphere is thought to have come from the earth's hot interior.

true

T/F Carbon dioxide concentrations have increased nearly 250% since the early 1800s.

false

T/F Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) play a role in stratospheric ozone destruction and are also

greenhouse gases.

True

T/F The atmosphere's first oxygen is thought to have come from the splitting of water vapor

molecules by solar radiation.

True

T/F Sea-level pressure is determined by both the amount of air in the atmosphere and the strength of

the earth's gravity

True

T/F Air temperatures in the thermosphere are higher than at the ground because sunlight energy is

absorbed and shared by relatively few atoms and molecules.

True

Which of the following provides a measure of the average speed of air molecules?

a. pressure

b. temperature

c. density

d. heat

b. temperature

A change of one degree on the Celsius scale is _____ a change of one degree on the Fahrenheit scale.

a. equal to

b. larger than

c. smaller than

d. is in the opposite direction of

b. larger than

The temperature scale that sets freezing of pure water at 32o

a. Kelvin

b. Fahrenheit

c. Celsius

d. British

b. Fahrenheit

The transfer of heat by molecule-to-molecule contact is

a. conduction.

b. convection.

c. radiation.

d. ultrasonic.

a. conduction.

Which of the following is the poorest conductor of heat?

a. still air

b. water

c. ice

d. snow

e. soil

a. still air

The horizontal transport of any atmospheric property by the wind is called

a. advection.

b. radiation.

c. conduction.

d. latent heat.

e. reflection.

a. advection.

Heat transferred upward from the surface of the moon can take place by

a. convection.

b. conduction.

c. latent heat.

d. radiation.

d. radiation.

Which of the following is not a heat-transport process in the atmosphere?

a. conduction

b. radiation

c. convergence

d. convection

c. convergence

A heat transfer process in the atmosphere that depends upon the movement of air is

a. conduction.

b. reflection.

c. convection.

d. radiation.

c. convection.

Snow will usually melt on the roof of a home that is a

a. good radiator of heat.

b. good conductor of heat.

c. poor radiator of heat.

d. poor conductor of heat.

b. good conductor of heat.

This process causes rising air to cool.

a. expansion

b. evaporation

c. compression

d. condensation

a. expansion

The cold feeling that you experience after leaving a swimming pool on a hot, dry, summer day is

a. heat transport by conduction.

b. heat transport by convection.

c. heat transport by radiation.

d. heat transport by latent heat.

d. heat transport by latent heat.

The temperature of a rising air parcel

a. always cools due to expansion.

b. always warms due to expansion.

c. always cools due to compression.

d. always warms due to compression.

e. remains constant.

a. always cools due to expansion.

Energy transferred by electromagnetic waves is called

a. magnetism.

b. convection.

c. conduction.

d. radiation.

d. radiation.

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 0.4 and 0.7 micrometers is called

a. ultraviolet light.

b. visible light.

c. infrared light.

d. microwaves.

b. visible light.

Solar radiation reaches the earth's surface as

a. visible radiation only.

b. ultraviolet radiation only.

c. infrared radiation only.

d. visible and infrared radiation only.

e. ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation.

e. ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation.

The earth's radiation is often referred to as ____ radiation, while the sun's radiation is often referred

to as _____ radiation.

a. shortwave, longwave

b. shortwave, shortwave

c. longwave, shortwave

d. longwave, longwave

c. longwave, shortwave

The earth emits radiation with greatest intensity at

a. infrared wavelengths.

b. radio wavelengths.

c. visible wavelengths.

d. ultraviolet wavelengths.

a. infrared wavelengths.

When we see the moon at night, we are seeing

a. visible light emitted by the moon.

b. infrared light emitted by the moon.

c. visible light reflected by the moon.

d. infrared light reflected by the moon.

c. visible light reflected by the moon.

Which of the following determine the kind (wavelength) and amount of radiation that an object

emits?

a. temperature

b. thermal conductivity

c. density

d. latent heat

a. temperature

The rate at which radiant energy is emitted by a body

a. increases with increasing temperature.

b. increases with decreasing temperature.

c. does not depend on the temperature.

d. depends on the chemical composition of the body.

a. increases with increasing temperature.

This property of electromagnetic radiation is inversely proportional to temperature; if temperature

increases ____ will decrease.

a. propagation speed

b. intensity

c. rate of emission

d. wavelength of peak emission

d. wavelength of peak emission

Which of the following is known primarily as a selective absorber of ultraviolet radiation?

a. carbon dioxide

b. ozone

c. water vapor

d. clouds

b. ozone

The atmospheric greenhouse effect is produced mainly by the

a. absorption and re-emission of visible light by the atmosphere.

b. absorption and re-emission of ultraviolet radiation by the atmosphere.

c. absorption and re-emission of infrared radiation by the atmosphere.

d. absorption and re-emission of visible light by clouds.

e. absorption and re-emission of visible light by the ground.

c. absorption and re-emission of infrared radiation by the atmosphere.

Without the atmospheric greenhouse effect, the average surface temperature would be

a. higher than at present.

b. lower than at present.

c. the same as it is now.

d. much more variable than it is now.

b. lower than at present.

The albedo of the earth's surface is only about 4%, yet the combined albedo of the earth and the atmosphere is about 30%. Which set of conditions below best explains why this is so?

a. high albedo of clouds, low albedo of water

b. high albedo of clouds, high albedo of water

c. low albedo of clouds, low albedo of water

d. low albedo of clouds, high albedo of water

a. high albedo of clouds, low albedo of water