Question 1

​Ozone in the stratosphere

Accepted Answer

A)  ​is a health hazard for people with respiratory illnesses. 
B)  ​protects life from harmful ultraviolet radiation. 
C)  ​is one of the main ingredients of photochemical smog. 
D)  ​provides healthy levels of vitamin D to humans. 
E)  ​is an aerosol found in the ionosphere. 
A)  ​is a health hazard for people with respiratory illnesses. 
B)  ​protects life from harmful ultraviolet radiation. 
C)  ​is one of the main ingredients of photochemical smog. 
D)  ​provides healthy levels of vitamin D to humans. 
E)  ​is an aerosol found in the ionosphere. B

Question 2

​If the air temperature at the surface (0 feet) is 60$\degree$F, what would be the approximate air temperature at an altitude of 10,000 feet, assuming an average atmospheric lapse rate of 3.6$\degree$F per 1000 feet?

Accepted Answer

The approximate air temperature would be 24 degrees Fahrenheit.​

Question 3

How has the composition of Earth's atmosphere changed over time? Briefly outline the evolution of Earth's atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

Earth's first atmosphere (some 4.6 billion years ago) was most likely hydrogen and helium-the two most abundant gases found in the universe-as well as hydrogen compounds such as methane and ammonia. A second, more dense atmosphere gradually enveloped the Earth as gases from molten rock within its hot interior escaped through volcanoes and steam vents. We assume that volcanoes spewed out the same gases then as they do today: mostly water vapor (about 80 percent), carbon dioxide (about 10 percent), and up to a few percent nitrogen. As millions of years passed, the constant outpouring of gases from the hot interior (outgassing) provided a rich supply of water vapor, which formed clouds. Rain fell upon the earth for many thousands of years. Large amounts of CO₂ were dissolved in the oceans. The atmosphere gradually became rich in nitrogen (N₂). Oxygen (O₂), the second most abundant gas in today's atmosphere, probably began an extremely slow increase in concentration as energetic rays from the sun split water vapor (H₂O) into hydrogen and oxygen during a process called photodissociation. Hydrogen, being lighter, likely rose and escaped into space while the oxygen remained in the atmosphere. After plants evolved, the atmospheric oxygen content increased more rapidly, likely reaching its present concentration several hundred million years ago.

Question 4

​Falling rain and snow is called

Accepted Answer

A)  ​condensation. 
B)  ​evaporation. 
C)  ​sublimation. 
D)  ​crystallization. 
E)  ​precipitation. 
A)  ​condensation. 
B)  ​evaporation. 
C)  ​sublimation. 
D)  ​crystallization. 
E)  ​precipitation.

Question 5

​The difference in atmospheric density is greatest in the layer bounded by

Accepted Answer

A)  ​1 mb and 10 mb. 
B)  ​101 mb and 110 mb. 
C)  ​1001 mb and 1010 mb. 
D)  ​10001 mb and 10100 mb. 
E)  ​10101 mb and 11000 mb. 
A)  ​1 mb and 10 mb. 
B)  ​101 mb and 110 mb. 
C)  ​1001 mb and 1010 mb. 
D)  ​10001 mb and 10100 mb. 
E)  ​10101 mb and 11000 mb.

Question 6

Describe some of the processes that release and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Is there any evidence that suggests that these processes are not in balance?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere mai

Question 7

​Which weather element ALWAYS decreases as we climb upward in the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  ​Wind 
B)  ​Temperature 
C)  ​Pressure 
D)  ​Moisture 
E)  ​dew point 
A)  ​Wind 
B)  ​Temperature 
C)  ​Pressure 
D)  ​Moisture 
E)  ​dew point

Question 8

​Which atmospheric layer contains the most mixing and overturning of air?

Accepted Answer

A)  ​stratosphere 
B)  ​troposphere 
C)  ​mesosphere 
D)  ​exosphere 
E)  ​ionosphere 
A)  ​stratosphere 
B)  ​troposphere 
C)  ​mesosphere 
D)  ​exosphere 
E)  ​ionosphere

Question 9

Weather in the middle latitudes tends to move from east to west.​

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

​The temperature of the tropopause

Accepted Answer

A)  ​is close to the temperature at Earth's surface. 
B)  ​is much colder than the temperature at Earth's surface. 
C)  ​has never been measured. 
D)  ​is much warmer than the temperature at Earth's surface. 
E)  ​is nearly the same as the sun's temperature. 
A)  ​is close to the temperature at Earth's surface. 
B)  ​is much colder than the temperature at Earth's surface. 
C)  ​has never been measured. 
D)  ​is much warmer than the temperature at Earth's surface. 
E)  ​is nearly the same as the sun's temperature.

Question 11

​When applying the scientific method to investigating the atmosphere, scientists study

Accepted Answer

A)  ​the chemistry and physics of water samples. 
B)  ​the chemistry and physics of air. 
C)  ​animal behavior in different climates. 
D)  ​human behavior in different climates. 
E)  ​the chemical composition of plants occurring in different climates. 
A)  ​the chemistry and physics of water samples. 
B)  ​the chemistry and physics of air. 
C)  ​animal behavior in different climates. 
D)  ​human behavior in different climates. 
E)  ​the chemical composition of plants occurring in different climates.

Question 12

Fronts are a sharp change in temperature, humidity, and wind direction.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

​Which statement relates to weather rather than climate?

Accepted Answer

A)  ​The average temperature for the month of January is 28$\degree$F. 
B)  ​The lowest temperature ever recorded in Frozenlake, Minnesota is -57$\degree$F. 
C)  ​The foggiest month of the year is December. 
D)  ​I like the warm, humid summers. 
E)  ​It is cloudy and snowing outside. 
A)  ​The average temperature for the month of January is 28$\degree$F. 
B)  ​The lowest temperature ever recorded in Frozenlake, Minnesota is -57$\degree$F. 
C)  ​The foggiest month of the year is December. 
D)  ​I like the warm, humid summers. 
E)  ​It is cloudy and snowing outside.

Question 14

​The Sun is surrounded by Earth, and how many other planets?

Accepted Answer

A)  ​five 
B)  ​ten 
C)  ​eight 
D)  ​twelve 
E)  ​seven 
A)  ​five 
B)  ​ten 
C)  ​eight 
D)  ​twelve 
E)  ​seven

Question 15

Describe the effect weather can have on human health.

Accepted Answer

The following health issues could be of

Question 16

​Earth's atmosphere is divided into named layers based on the vertical profile of

Accepted Answer

A)  ​air pressure. 
B)  ​air temperature. 
C)  ​air density. 
D)  ​wind speed. 
E)  ​chemical composition. 
A)  ​air pressure. 
B)  ​air temperature. 
C)  ​air density. 
D)  ​wind speed. 
E)  ​chemical composition.

Question 17

​Typically, water vapor occupies about what percentage of the air's volume near Earth's surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  ​about 78 percent 
B)  ​about 21 percent 
C)  ​close to 10 percent 
D)  ​less than 4 percent 
E)  ​less than 1 percent 
A)  ​about 78 percent 
B)  ​about 21 percent 
C)  ​close to 10 percent 
D)  ​less than 4 percent 
E)  ​less than 1 percent

Question 18

​A geostationary satellite takes pictures of

Accepted Answer

A)  ​the moon as it is seen from Earth. 
B)  ​other planets as they are seen from Earth. 
C)  ​different areas on Earth when it is stationary. 
D)  ​one area on Earth as it moves at the same rate as Earth's spin. 
E)  ​any recurring geologic event on Earth. 
A)  ​the moon as it is seen from Earth. 
B)  ​other planets as they are seen from Earth. 
C)  ​different areas on Earth when it is stationary. 
D)  ​one area on Earth as it moves at the same rate as Earth's spin. 
E)  ​any recurring geologic event on Earth.

Question 19

Soil dust, salt from ocean waves, forest fire smoke, volcanic ash particles, and pollutants are some of the aerosols found in the atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Briefly explain the production and natural destruction of carbon dioxide near Earth's surface. Give two reasons for the increase of carbon dioxide over the past 100-plus years.

Accepted Answer

​Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere th

Ozone in the stratosphere

If the air temperature at the surface (0 feet) is 60 $\degree$ F, what would be the approximate air temperature at an altitude of 10,000 feet, assuming an average atmospheric lapse rate of 3.6 $\degree$ F per 1000 feet?

How has the composition of Earth's atmosphere changed over time? Briefly outline the evolution of Earth's atmosphere.

Falling rain and snow is called

The difference in atmospheric density is greatest in the layer bounded by

Describe some of the processes that release and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Is there any evidence that suggests that these processes are not in balance?

Which weather element ALWAYS decreases as we climb upward in the atmosphere?

Which atmospheric layer contains the most mixing and overturning of air?

Weather in the middle latitudes tends to move from east to west.

The temperature of the tropopause

When applying the scientific method to investigating the atmosphere, scientists study

Fronts are a sharp change in temperature, humidity, and wind direction.

Which statement relates to weather rather than climate?

The Sun is surrounded by Earth, and how many other planets?

Describe the effect weather can have on human health.

Earth's atmosphere is divided into named layers based on the vertical profile of

Typically, water vapor occupies about what percentage of the air's volume near Earth's surface?

A geostationary satellite takes pictures of

Soil dust, salt from ocean waves, forest fire smoke, volcanic ash particles, and pollutants are some of the aerosols found in the atmosphere.

Briefly explain the production and natural destruction of carbon dioxide near Earth's surface. Give two reasons for the increase of carbon dioxide over the past 100-plus years.

Energy - Warming the Earth and the Atmosphere

Seasonal and Daily Temperatures

Atmospheric Humidity

Condensation - Dew - Fog - and Clouds

Stability and Cloud Development

Precipitation

Air Pressure and Winds

Wind - Small-Scale and Local Systems

Wind - Global Systems

Air Masses and Fronts

Middle Latitude Cyclones

Weather Forecasting

Thunderstorms

Tornadoes

Hurricanes

Earths Changing Climate

Global Climate

Air Pollution

Light - Color and Atmospheric Optics

Filters

Exam 1: Earth and Its Atmosphere

​Ozone in the stratosphere

​If the air temperature at the surface (0 feet) is 60 °\degree° F, what would be the approximate air temperature at an altitude of 10,000 feet, assuming an average atmospheric lapse rate of 3.6 °\degree° F per 1000 feet?

How has the composition of Earth's atmosphere changed over time? Briefly outline the evolution of Earth's atmosphere.

​Falling rain and snow is called

​The difference in atmospheric density is greatest in the layer bounded by

Describe some of the processes that release and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Is there any evidence that suggests that these processes are not in balance?

​Which weather element ALWAYS decreases as we climb upward in the atmosphere?

​Which atmospheric layer contains the most mixing and overturning of air?

Weather in the middle latitudes tends to move from east to west.​

​The temperature of the tropopause

​When applying the scientific method to investigating the atmosphere, scientists study

Fronts are a sharp change in temperature, humidity, and wind direction.

​Which statement relates to weather rather than climate?

​The Sun is surrounded by Earth, and how many other planets?

Describe the effect weather can have on human health.

​Earth's atmosphere is divided into named layers based on the vertical profile of

​Typically, water vapor occupies about what percentage of the air's volume near Earth's surface?

​A geostationary satellite takes pictures of

Soil dust, salt from ocean waves, forest fire smoke, volcanic ash particles, and pollutants are some of the aerosols found in the atmosphere.

Briefly explain the production and natural destruction of carbon dioxide near Earth's surface. Give two reasons for the increase of carbon dioxide over the past 100-plus years.

Energy - Warming the Earth and the Atmosphere

Seasonal and Daily Temperatures

Atmospheric Humidity

Condensation - Dew - Fog - and Clouds

Stability and Cloud Development

Precipitation

Air Pressure and Winds

Wind - Small-Scale and Local Systems

Wind - Global Systems

Air Masses and Fronts

Middle Latitude Cyclones

Weather Forecasting

Thunderstorms

Tornadoes

Hurricanes

Earths Changing Climate

Global Climate

Air Pollution

Light - Color and Atmospheric Optics

Filters

Ozone in the stratosphere

If the air temperature at the surface (0 feet) is 60 $\degree$ F, what would be the approximate air temperature at an altitude of 10,000 feet, assuming an average atmospheric lapse rate of 3.6 $\degree$ F per 1000 feet?

Falling rain and snow is called

The difference in atmospheric density is greatest in the layer bounded by

Which weather element ALWAYS decreases as we climb upward in the atmosphere?

Which atmospheric layer contains the most mixing and overturning of air?

Weather in the middle latitudes tends to move from east to west.

The temperature of the tropopause

When applying the scientific method to investigating the atmosphere, scientists study

Which statement relates to weather rather than climate?

The Sun is surrounded by Earth, and how many other planets?

Earth's atmosphere is divided into named layers based on the vertical profile of

Typically, water vapor occupies about what percentage of the air's volume near Earth's surface?

A geostationary satellite takes pictures of