Question 1

The residence time of carbon dioxide (CO2)in the atmosphere is

Accepted Answer

A) 50 to 200 years. 
B) 45 days. 
C) approximately 90 days. 
D) 12 years. 
E) 500 years. 
A) 50 to 200 years. 
B) 45 days. 
C) approximately 90 days. 
D) 12 years. 
E) 500 years.

Question 2

How have scientists used isotopic analysis to determine the rise of atmospheric CO2 is mostly from the burning of fossil fuels?

Accepted Answer

A) Since 14C is an unstable isotope,scientists have dated the atmospheric carbon to the period since the Industrial Revolution. 
B) Both coal and oil contain a high proportion of 14C.By analyzing,14C /12C ratios,scientists have been able to determine the source based on this fact. 
C) The low proportions of 13C and 14C within atmospheric CO2 indicates the source is fossil carbon. 
D) 14C concentrations are much higher in urban areas than in rural areas,indicating fossil fuels must have a higher 14C /12C ratio than carbon from other sources. 
E) The relative low amount of 12C in atmospheric carbon demonstrates that the carbon dates from about the 1800s or later. 
A) Since 14C is an unstable isotope,scientists have dated the atmospheric carbon to the period since the Industrial Revolution. 
B) Both coal and oil contain a high proportion of 14C.By analyzing,14C /12C ratios,scientists have been able to determine the source based on this fact. 
C) The low proportions of 13C and 14C within atmospheric CO2 indicates the source is fossil carbon. 
D) 14C concentrations are much higher in urban areas than in rural areas,indicating fossil fuels must have a higher 14C /12C ratio than carbon from other sources. 
E) The relative low amount of 12C in atmospheric carbon demonstrates that the carbon dates from about the 1800s or later.

Question 3

In which of the following ways is the study of tree rings,speleothems,and corals for understanding past climatic conditions similar?

Accepted Answer

A) The chronology each can provide only dates back to a maximum of 1,000 years and are,therefore,only useful for relatively recent climatic trends. 
B) Each have growth bands,yielding evidence of the conditions under which they formed and grew. 
C) The fossilized form of each is used for understanding past climatic conditions. 
D) Each are composed of organic materials and are therefore used solely for radiocarbon dating. 
E) Both are examples of macrofossils and can be used to determine plant and animal assemblages of bygone times. 
A) The chronology each can provide only dates back to a maximum of 1,000 years and are,therefore,only useful for relatively recent climatic trends. 
B) Each have growth bands,yielding evidence of the conditions under which they formed and grew. 
C) The fossilized form of each is used for understanding past climatic conditions. 
D) Each are composed of organic materials and are therefore used solely for radiocarbon dating. 
E) Both are examples of macrofossils and can be used to determine plant and animal assemblages of bygone times.

Question 4

How do scientists use lake sediments to study past climates?

Accepted Answer

A) Isotopic analysis of the relative proportions of 18O to 16O enable determination of evaporation rates from ancient lakes. 
B) Lake sediments contain organic materials that can be identified and radiocarbon dated,giving insight into past plant communities and climatic conditions. 
C) During warmer conditions,lake sediments form wider rings,whereas in cooler conditions,these rings are narrower. 
D) The amount and type of pollen in lake sediments is an indication of the macrovertebrate assemblages that dominated an area. 
E) Lake sediment analysis is used to determine which fish species have persisted in a particular lake over long periods of time. 
A) Isotopic analysis of the relative proportions of 18O to 16O enable determination of evaporation rates from ancient lakes. 
B) Lake sediments contain organic materials that can be identified and radiocarbon dated,giving insight into past plant communities and climatic conditions. 
C) During warmer conditions,lake sediments form wider rings,whereas in cooler conditions,these rings are narrower. 
D) The amount and type of pollen in lake sediments is an indication of the macrovertebrate assemblages that dominated an area. 
E) Lake sediment analysis is used to determine which fish species have persisted in a particular lake over long periods of time.

Question 5

Since 1973,global average specific humidity has

Accepted Answer

A) increased by about 0.5 g/kg. 
B) increased by about 1.0 g/kg. 
C) decreased by about 0.1g/kg. 
D) decreased by about 0.5 g/kg. 
E) increased by about 0.1g/kg. 
A) increased by about 0.5 g/kg. 
B) increased by about 1.0 g/kg. 
C) decreased by about 0.1g/kg. 
D) decreased by about 0.5 g/kg. 
E) increased by about 0.1g/kg.

Question 6

As of 2014,which country led the world in CO2 emissions?

Accepted Answer

A) the United States 
B) Germany 
C) Canada 
D) France 
E) China 
A) the United States 
B) Germany 
C) Canada 
D) France 
E) China

Question 7

General Circulation Models (GCMs)

Accepted Answer

A) are primarily two dimensional models for several weather forecasting. 
B) predict specific future temperatures based on various scenarios. 
C) can currently only represent atmospheric conditions,though future models will incorporate ocean circulation. 
D) typically have very fine resolution (e.g. ,30 m). 
E) offer scenarios of future global warming based on societal choices. 
A) are primarily two dimensional models for several weather forecasting. 
B) predict specific future temperatures based on various scenarios. 
C) can currently only represent atmospheric conditions,though future models will incorporate ocean circulation. 
D) typically have very fine resolution (e.g. ,30 m). 
E) offer scenarios of future global warming based on societal choices.

Question 8

Since the Industrial Revolution,

Accepted Answer

A) human population growth rates have decreased with a subsequent decrease in the warming trend that characterized pre-Industrial Revolution times. 
B) global temperatures rapidly increased,then steadied out over the past 25 to 30 years. 
C) global temperatures have continued to warm at accelerating rates. 
D) no observable warming or cooling trends have occurred,rather temperatures have oscillated between warm and cold periods. 
E) sun spot activity has accelerated,resulting in an apparent warming that will subside when this activity ceases. 
A) human population growth rates have decreased with a subsequent decrease in the warming trend that characterized pre-Industrial Revolution times. 
B) global temperatures rapidly increased,then steadied out over the past 25 to 30 years. 
C) global temperatures have continued to warm at accelerating rates. 
D) no observable warming or cooling trends have occurred,rather temperatures have oscillated between warm and cold periods. 
E) sun spot activity has accelerated,resulting in an apparent warming that will subside when this activity ceases.

Question 9

Ice cores provide a climate record for the past___ years.

Accepted Answer

A)  50,000 
B)  800,000 
C) 	2 million 
D) 	10 million 
E) 	70 million 
A)  50,000 
B)  800,000 
C) 	2 million 
D) 	10 million 
E) 	70 million

Question 10

According to the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report,which of the following is virtually certain to occur?

Accepted Answer

A) The frequency of heavy precipitation events will decrease. 
B) Extreme high sea-level events will decrease due to increase evaporation. 
C) The ocean's conveyer built will strengthen. 
D) The extent of permafrost will increase. 
E) Ocean acidification will increase as the atmosphere accumulates more CO2. 
A) The frequency of heavy precipitation events will decrease. 
B) Extreme high sea-level events will decrease due to increase evaporation. 
C) The ocean's conveyer built will strengthen. 
D) The extent of permafrost will increase. 
E) Ocean acidification will increase as the atmosphere accumulates more CO2.

Question 11

Which of the following accurately describes the use of tree rings for studying past climates (dendroclimatology)?

Accepted Answer

A) The width of annual tree rings indicates the climatic conditions;wider rings suggest favorable conditions,whereas narrower rings suggest harsher conditions. 
B) Because most trees only live 60 to 100 years,dendrochronology can only serve as a climate record for recent history and are primarily used to supplement instrument data. 
C) Tree ring analysis is best suited for short-lived species because it enables scientists to quickly and easily correlate tree ring growth to documented climatic conditions. 
D) Dendrochronology is primarily used in the tropical regions,where one can easily correlate a tree species' age with the climatic conditions there. 
E) The age of trees can be determined by tree ring analysis.By establishing the age of long-lived trees,one can determine the climate conditions of the area the year the tree sprouted. 
A) The width of annual tree rings indicates the climatic conditions;wider rings suggest favorable conditions,whereas narrower rings suggest harsher conditions. 
B) Because most trees only live 60 to 100 years,dendrochronology can only serve as a climate record for recent history and are primarily used to supplement instrument data. 
C) Tree ring analysis is best suited for short-lived species because it enables scientists to quickly and easily correlate tree ring growth to documented climatic conditions. 
D) Dendrochronology is primarily used in the tropical regions,where one can easily correlate a tree species' age with the climatic conditions there. 
E) The age of trees can be determined by tree ring analysis.By establishing the age of long-lived trees,one can determine the climate conditions of the area the year the tree sprouted.

Question 12

The rapid warming associated with the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM)likely resulted from

Accepted Answer

A) several massive volcanic eruptions. 
B) the sudden die off of photosynthetic organisms and associated increase in atmospheric CO2. 
C) a sudden (geologically speaking)increase in atmospheric carbon. 
D) decreased surface albedo brought about by Paleocene afforestation. 
E) absorption of CO2 by the recently uplifted Himalayas. 
A) several massive volcanic eruptions. 
B) the sudden die off of photosynthetic organisms and associated increase in atmospheric CO2. 
C) a sudden (geologically speaking)increase in atmospheric carbon. 
D) decreased surface albedo brought about by Paleocene afforestation. 
E) absorption of CO2 by the recently uplifted Himalayas.

Question 13

Scientists attribute the recent rise in atmospheric concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O)primarily to

Accepted Answer

A) automobile combustion. 
B) agricultural activity. 
C) wastewater management. 
D) industrial practices. 
E) drainage of wetlands. 
A) automobile combustion. 
B) agricultural activity. 
C) wastewater management. 
D) industrial practices. 
E) drainage of wetlands.

Question 14

A lower 18O/16O ratio in ice core indicates a(n)___climate,whereas a higher 18O/16O ratio indicates a(n)____climate.

Accepted Answer

A) cooler;warmer 
B) warmer;cooler 
C) cooler;cold 
D) imbalanced;balanced 
E) stable;unstable 
A) cooler;warmer 
B) warmer;cooler 
C) cooler;cold 
D) imbalanced;balanced 
E) stable;unstable

Question 15

Changes in the orientation of the Earth's axis over a 26,000-year cycle is known as

Accepted Answer

A) eccentricity. 
B) obliquity. 
C) precession. 
D) inclination. 
E) declination. 
A) eccentricity. 
B) obliquity. 
C) precession. 
D) inclination. 
E) declination.

Question 16

The last glacial maximum (LGM)occurred approximately ____years ago.

Accepted Answer

A) 10,000 
B) 20,000 
C) 50,000 
D) 110,000 
E) 150,000 
A) 10,000 
B) 20,000 
C) 50,000 
D) 110,000 
E) 150,000

Question 17

The interdisciplinary study of the causes and consequences of changing climate for all Earth systems and the sustainability of human societies is

Accepted Answer

A) climate change science. 
B) meteorology. 
C) paleoclimatology. 
D) climate policy. 
E) microclimatology. 
A) climate change science. 
B) meteorology. 
C) paleoclimatology. 
D) climate policy. 
E) microclimatology.

Question 18

What methods do scientists use to reconstruct both long-term and shorter term climate histories?

Accepted Answer

The primary methods for long-term recons

Question 19

The last interglacial period with temperatures similar to the present interglacial period was the

Accepted Answer

A) 385,00 years ago (Holstein interglacial). 
B) 781,000 years ago (Pastonian Stage). 
C) 125,000 years ago (Eemian interglacial). 
D) 500,000 years ago (Günz-Mindel interglacial). 
E) 12,000 years ago (Flandrian interglacial). 
A) 385,00 years ago (Holstein interglacial). 
B) 781,000 years ago (Pastonian Stage). 
C) 125,000 years ago (Eemian interglacial). 
D) 500,000 years ago (Günz-Mindel interglacial). 
E) 12,000 years ago (Flandrian interglacial).

Question 20

Describe the properties,current atmospheric concentrations,and sources the primary greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.

Accepted Answer

Answers should include the following gas

The residence time of carbon dioxide (CO2)in the atmosphere is

How have scientists used isotopic analysis to determine the rise of atmospheric CO2 is mostly from the burning of fossil fuels?

In which of the following ways is the study of tree rings,speleothems,and corals for understanding past climatic conditions similar?

How do scientists use lake sediments to study past climates?

Since 1973,global average specific humidity has

As of 2014,which country led the world in CO2 emissions?

General Circulation Models (GCMs)

Since the Industrial Revolution,

Ice cores provide a climate record for the past___ years.

According to the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report,which of the following is virtually certain to occur?

Which of the following accurately describes the use of tree rings for studying past climates (dendroclimatology)?

The rapid warming associated with the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM)likely resulted from

Scientists attribute the recent rise in atmospheric concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O)primarily to

A lower 18O/16O ratio in ice core indicates a(n)_climate,whereas a higher 18O/16O ratio indicates a(n)__climate.

Changes in the orientation of the Earth's axis over a 26,000-year cycle is known as

The last glacial maximum (LGM)occurred approximately ____years ago.

The interdisciplinary study of the causes and consequences of changing climate for all Earth systems and the sustainability of human societies is

What methods do scientists use to reconstruct both long-term and shorter term climate histories?

The last interglacial period with temperatures similar to the present interglacial period was the

Describe the properties,current atmospheric concentrations,and sources the primary greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Earth’s Atmosphere

Atmospheric Energy and Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Earth’s Climatic Regions

The Dynamic Planet

Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism

Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

River Systems

Aeolian Processes and Arid Landscapes

Oceans and Coastal Systems

Glacial Landscapes and the Cryosphere

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Filters

Exam 10: Climate Change

The residence time of carbon dioxide (CO2)in the atmosphere is

How have scientists used isotopic analysis to determine the rise of atmospheric CO2 is mostly from the burning of fossil fuels?

In which of the following ways is the study of tree rings,speleothems,and corals for understanding past climatic conditions similar?

How do scientists use lake sediments to study past climates?

Since 1973,global average specific humidity has

As of 2014,which country led the world in CO2 emissions?

General Circulation Models (GCMs)

Since the Industrial Revolution,

Ice cores provide a climate record for the past___ years.

According to the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report,which of the following is virtually certain to occur?

Which of the following accurately describes the use of tree rings for studying past climates (dendroclimatology)?

The rapid warming associated with the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM)likely resulted from

Scientists attribute the recent rise in atmospheric concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O)primarily to

A lower 18O/16O ratio in ice core indicates a(n)___climate,whereas a higher 18O/16O ratio indicates a(n)____climate.

Changes in the orientation of the Earth's axis over a 26,000-year cycle is known as

The last glacial maximum (LGM)occurred approximately ____years ago.

The interdisciplinary study of the causes and consequences of changing climate for all Earth systems and the sustainability of human societies is

What methods do scientists use to reconstruct both long-term and shorter term climate histories?

The last interglacial period with temperatures similar to the present interglacial period was the

Describe the properties,current atmospheric concentrations,and sources the primary greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Earth’s Atmosphere

Atmospheric Energy and Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Earth’s Climatic Regions

The Dynamic Planet

Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism

Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

River Systems

Aeolian Processes and Arid Landscapes

Oceans and Coastal Systems

Glacial Landscapes and the Cryosphere

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Filters

A lower 18O/16O ratio in ice core indicates a(n)_climate,whereas a higher 18O/16O ratio indicates a(n)__climate.