Question 1

The tropopause altitude is highest because of the .

Accepted Answer

A) at the equator;air expansion from intense heating at the surface 
B) at the poles;diffuse solar radiation 
C) during the summer;increased atmospheric pressure 
D) during the winter;Sun's direct rays hitting the Tropic of Capricorn 
E) in the midlatitudes;the constant movement of the subsolar point 
A) at the equator;air expansion from intense heating at the surface 
B) at the poles;diffuse solar radiation 
C) during the summer;increased atmospheric pressure 
D) during the winter;Sun's direct rays hitting the Tropic of Capricorn 
E) in the midlatitudes;the constant movement of the subsolar point

Question 2

Why are temperature inversion noteworthy vis-à-vis air pollution?

Accepted Answer

A) Mesospheric conditions are replicated in the troposphere. 
B) Vertical mixing of pollutants is halted,trapping the pollutants under the inversion layer. 
C) Surface pollution is moderated by allowing surface air to mix with the air above. 
D) Air pollution is completely inhibited from forming. 
E) Lack of vertical mixing of air traps pollutants in the upper atmosphere. 
A) Mesospheric conditions are replicated in the troposphere. 
B) Vertical mixing of pollutants is halted,trapping the pollutants under the inversion layer. 
C) Surface pollution is moderated by allowing surface air to mix with the air above. 
D) Air pollution is completely inhibited from forming. 
E) Lack of vertical mixing of air traps pollutants in the upper atmosphere.

Question 3

What is the environmental lapse rate,and which part of the atmosphere is it relevant?

Accepted Answer

Temperatures decrease with increasing al

Question 4

In 1974,Dr.Rowland and Dr.Molina made what observation vis-à-vis ozone (O3)?

Accepted Answer

A) The photochemical interactions of chlorofluorocarbons and O3. 
B) Automobile exhaust and sunlight were producing photochemical smog. 
C) Anthropogenic O3 releases were a major culprit in global warming. 
D) Ground-level O3 irritates human eyes and respiratory systems. 
E) O3 is of little importance to humans. 
A) The photochemical interactions of chlorofluorocarbons and O3. 
B) Automobile exhaust and sunlight were producing photochemical smog. 
C) Anthropogenic O3 releases were a major culprit in global warming. 
D) Ground-level O3 irritates human eyes and respiratory systems. 
E) O3 is of little importance to humans.

Question 5

Which of the following is true regarding acid deposition?

Accepted Answer

A) Hundreds of lakes are incapable of supporting life due to high acidity. 
B) Acid deposition is deposition that measures more than 7.0 on a pH scale. 
C) No lakes or streams have been damaged by acid precipitation. 
D) Soil processes generally are not affected by acid precipitation. 
E) Natural precipitation typically falls between pH 7.5 and 8.0. 
A) Hundreds of lakes are incapable of supporting life due to high acidity. 
B) Acid deposition is deposition that measures more than 7.0 on a pH scale. 
C) No lakes or streams have been damaged by acid precipitation. 
D) Soil processes generally are not affected by acid precipitation. 
E) Natural precipitation typically falls between pH 7.5 and 8.0.

Question 6

Which of the following is true of chlorofluorocarbons?

Accepted Answer

A) The CFC molecules react with ultraviolet light to release carbon which then destroys ozone. 
B) The CFC molecules react with ultraviolet light to release fluorine which then destroys ozone. 
C) The CFC molecules react with ultraviolet light to release chlorine which then destroys ozone. 
D) Most of the CFC-induced ozone destruction is occurring near the equator,rather than near the poles. 
E) CFCs production will be phased out by 2026,but still continues in China and the U.S. 
A) The CFC molecules react with ultraviolet light to release carbon which then destroys ozone. 
B) The CFC molecules react with ultraviolet light to release fluorine which then destroys ozone. 
C) The CFC molecules react with ultraviolet light to release chlorine which then destroys ozone. 
D) Most of the CFC-induced ozone destruction is occurring near the equator,rather than near the poles. 
E) CFCs production will be phased out by 2026,but still continues in China and the U.S.

Question 7

The reaction of automobile exhaust and ultraviolet light

Accepted Answer

A) produces photochemical smog. 
B) produces industrial smog. 
C) is affecting the stratospheric ozone concentration. 
D) forms smoke and fog. 
E) is considered beneficial because of the production of O3. 
A) produces photochemical smog. 
B) produces industrial smog. 
C) is affecting the stratospheric ozone concentration. 
D) forms smoke and fog. 
E) is considered beneficial because of the production of O3.

Question 8

Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A) Natural sources of air pollution are not a concern in terms of human health. 
B) Natural sources of air pollution are a relatively new occurrence. 
C) Natural events,such as volcanoes and wildfires,produce air pollution and may cover large areas. 
D) There is no reason to be concerned about natural sources of air pollution. 
E) By definition,natural events cannot produce pollution,only humans can. 
A) Natural sources of air pollution are not a concern in terms of human health. 
B) Natural sources of air pollution are a relatively new occurrence. 
C) Natural events,such as volcanoes and wildfires,produce air pollution and may cover large areas. 
D) There is no reason to be concerned about natural sources of air pollution. 
E) By definition,natural events cannot produce pollution,only humans can.

Question 9

Oxygen (O2)is

Accepted Answer

A) a gas which principally originates from volcanic sources. 
B) a by-product of photosynthesis. 
C) one of the gases from Earth's earliest atmospheres. 
D) now measured at 78.084% by volume in the homosphere. 
E) not essential to life on the planet. 
A) a gas which principally originates from volcanic sources. 
B) a by-product of photosynthesis. 
C) one of the gases from Earth's earliest atmospheres. 
D) now measured at 78.084% by volume in the homosphere. 
E) not essential to life on the planet.

Question 10

Which of the following is true of the mesosphere?

Accepted Answer

A) It contains rare clouds that are visible at night. 
B) Temperatures are uniform through the zone. 
C) It is the warmest layer of the atmosphere. 
D) It has the greatest vertical extent of all atmospheric layers. 
E) It is within the heterosphere. 
A) It contains rare clouds that are visible at night. 
B) Temperatures are uniform through the zone. 
C) It is the warmest layer of the atmosphere. 
D) It has the greatest vertical extent of all atmospheric layers. 
E) It is within the heterosphere.

Question 11

Earth's fourth atmosphere likely formed from

Accepted Answer

A) water vapor condensed when Earth cooled. 
B) photosynthetic activity of ocean bacteria. 
C) outgassing from Earth's interior. 
D) oxygen molecules absorbing sunlight and forming protective ozone. 
E) respiration of early land mammals. 
A) water vapor condensed when Earth cooled. 
B) photosynthetic activity of ocean bacteria. 
C) outgassing from Earth's interior. 
D) oxygen molecules absorbing sunlight and forming protective ozone. 
E) respiration of early land mammals.

Question 12

Nitrogen (N2)is

Accepted Answer

A) a key component of life,integrated into our bodies directly from the air. 
B) cycled through the environment via the activity of bacteria. 
C) a product of the radioactive decay of a form of potassium in the crust. 
D) now measured at 20.946% by volume in the homosphere. 
E) the least abundant constant gas in the homosphere. 
A) a key component of life,integrated into our bodies directly from the air. 
B) cycled through the environment via the activity of bacteria. 
C) a product of the radioactive decay of a form of potassium in the crust. 
D) now measured at 20.946% by volume in the homosphere. 
E) the least abundant constant gas in the homosphere.

Question 13

Which of the following are affected by the loss of ozone?

Accepted Answer

A) crop yields 
B) phytoplankton populations 
C) immune systems 
D) eye tissues 
E) crop yields,phytoplankton populations,immune systems,and eye tissues 
A) crop yields 
B) phytoplankton populations 
C) immune systems 
D) eye tissues 
E) crop yields,phytoplankton populations,immune systems,and eye tissues

Question 14

In the lower atmosphere,H2SO4

Accepted Answer

A) is also called black soot. 
B) is related to the problem of acid deposition. 
C) is a problem that only occurred during the first half of this century. 
D) forms by a combination of O2 and NO2. 
E) only occurs in exceptionally polluted areas. 
A) is also called black soot. 
B) is related to the problem of acid deposition. 
C) is a problem that only occurred during the first half of this century. 
D) forms by a combination of O2 and NO2. 
E) only occurs in exceptionally polluted areas.

Question 15

Acid deposition results from

Accepted Answer

A) carbonic acids dissolved from atmospheric carbon dioxide. 
B) nitric acid and sulfuric acid,formed from nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. 
C) hydrocarbons,nitrogen dioxide,and carbon monoxide. 
D) hydrochloric acid. 
E) tropospheric ozone. 
A) carbonic acids dissolved from atmospheric carbon dioxide. 
B) nitric acid and sulfuric acid,formed from nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. 
C) hydrocarbons,nitrogen dioxide,and carbon monoxide. 
D) hydrochloric acid. 
E) tropospheric ozone.

Question 16

Based on function,the atmosphere has

Accepted Answer

A) five regions beginning with the outermost thermosphere. 
B) two zones that absorb radiation from the Sun. 
C) one continuous zone that functions as a whole. 
D) the troposphere and the stratosphere. 
E) three zones,which are similar in function,but vary with altitude. 
A) five regions beginning with the outermost thermosphere. 
B) two zones that absorb radiation from the Sun. 
C) one continuous zone that functions as a whole. 
D) the troposphere and the stratosphere. 
E) three zones,which are similar in function,but vary with altitude.

Question 17

Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

Accepted Answer

A) inflame the human respiratory tract,destroy lung tissues,and damage plants. 
B) are yet to be of consequence in North America. 
C) are produced only after photochemical reactions. 
D) are more of a concern in nonurban areas than urban. 
E) are unrelated to acid deposition. 
A) inflame the human respiratory tract,destroy lung tissues,and damage plants. 
B) are yet to be of consequence in North America. 
C) are produced only after photochemical reactions. 
D) are more of a concern in nonurban areas than urban. 
E) are unrelated to acid deposition.

Question 18

Which stable (nonvariable)gas in the atmosphere is inert and unusable in life processes?

Accepted Answer

A) oxygen 
B) nitrogen 
C) argon 
D) carbon dioxide 
E) neon 
A) oxygen 
B) nitrogen 
C) argon 
D) carbon dioxide 
E) neon

Question 19

Which of the following is not true of UV exposure?

Accepted Answer

A) UVA radiation accounts for about 95% of all UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. 
B) Only exposure to UVA is a concern,not exposure to UVB and UVC. 
C) UV radiation is potentially harmful and individuals should take appropriate precautions depending on the UV index. 
D) UV radiation varies spatially according to the season,local weather conditions,and overhead ozone depletion. 
E) UVB alters plant physiology and can lead to decreased agricultural productivity. 
A) UVA radiation accounts for about 95% of all UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. 
B) Only exposure to UVA is a concern,not exposure to UVB and UVC. 
C) UV radiation is potentially harmful and individuals should take appropriate precautions depending on the UV index. 
D) UV radiation varies spatially according to the season,local weather conditions,and overhead ozone depletion. 
E) UVB alters plant physiology and can lead to decreased agricultural productivity.

Question 20

Describe the source and effects of various anthropogenic atmospheric pollutants.

Accepted Answer

The textbook lists a number of anthropog

The tropopause altitude is highest because of the .

Why are temperature inversion noteworthy vis-à-vis air pollution?

What is the environmental lapse rate,and which part of the atmosphere is it relevant?

In 1974,Dr.Rowland and Dr.Molina made what observation vis-à-vis ozone (O3)?

Which of the following is true regarding acid deposition?

Which of the following is true of chlorofluorocarbons?

The reaction of automobile exhaust and ultraviolet light

Which of the following is true?

Oxygen (O2)is

Which of the following is true of the mesosphere?

Earth's fourth atmosphere likely formed from

Nitrogen (N2)is

Which of the following are affected by the loss of ozone?

In the lower atmosphere,H2SO4

Acid deposition results from

Based on function,the atmosphere has

Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

Which stable (nonvariable)gas in the atmosphere is inert and unusable in life processes?

Which of the following is not true of UV exposure?

Describe the source and effects of various anthropogenic atmospheric pollutants.

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Atmospheric Energy and Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Earth’s Climatic Regions

Climate Change

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

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Exam 3: Earth’s Atmosphere

The tropopause altitude is highest because of the .

Why are temperature inversion noteworthy vis-à-vis air pollution?

What is the environmental lapse rate,and which part of the atmosphere is it relevant?

In 1974,Dr.Rowland and Dr.Molina made what observation vis-à-vis ozone (O3)?

Which of the following is true regarding acid deposition?

Which of the following is true of chlorofluorocarbons?

The reaction of automobile exhaust and ultraviolet light

Which of the following is true?

Oxygen (O2)is

Which of the following is true of the mesosphere?

Earth's fourth atmosphere likely formed from

Nitrogen (N2)is

Which of the following are affected by the loss of ozone?

In the lower atmosphere,H2SO4

Acid deposition results from

Based on function,the atmosphere has

Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

Which stable (nonvariable)gas in the atmosphere is inert and unusable in life processes?

Which of the following is not true of UV exposure?

Describe the source and effects of various anthropogenic atmospheric pollutants.

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Atmospheric Energy and Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Earth’s Climatic Regions

Climate Change

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