Question 1

The high temperatures in the thermosphere occur because

Accepted Answer

A) infrared radiation from the ground heats this layer more than any other layer. 
B) methane is such an effective greenhouse gas. 
C) carbon dioxide has accumulated to very high levels in this layer. 
D) it is in direct contact with high energy solar radiation. 
E) high intensity solar radiation causes strong chemical reactions with ozone,and this heats the layer to very high temperatures. 
A) infrared radiation from the ground heats this layer more than any other layer. 
B) methane is such an effective greenhouse gas. 
C) carbon dioxide has accumulated to very high levels in this layer. 
D) it is in direct contact with high energy solar radiation. 
E) high intensity solar radiation causes strong chemical reactions with ozone,and this heats the layer to very high temperatures.

Question 2

Based on composition,the atmosphere is divided into

Accepted Answer

A) one continuous region. 
B) two broad classifications: homosphere and heterosphere. 
C) two functional areas that absorb radiation from the Sun. 
D) the troposphere and the stratosphere. 
E) four regions based on temperature gradients. 
A) one continuous region. 
B) two broad classifications: homosphere and heterosphere. 
C) two functional areas that absorb radiation from the Sun. 
D) the troposphere and the stratosphere. 
E) four regions based on temperature gradients.

Question 3

The heterosphere is the layer of the atmosphere in which the gases are because of____ .

Accepted Answer

A) well mixed;thermal motions (i.e. ,convection) 
B) well mixed;gravity causes gases of different weight to diffuse randomly 
C) poorly mixed;thermal motions (i.e. ,convection) 
D) poorly mixed;gravity causes gases of different weight to separate into layers 
E) moderately mixed due to both thermal motion and separation by gravity 
A) well mixed;thermal motions (i.e. ,convection) 
B) well mixed;gravity causes gases of different weight to diffuse randomly 
C) poorly mixed;thermal motions (i.e. ,convection) 
D) poorly mixed;gravity causes gases of different weight to separate into layers 
E) moderately mixed due to both thermal motion and separation by gravity

Question 4

Which of the gases listed below has accumulated in the atmosphere as a result of biological processes?

Accepted Answer

A) argon 
B) oxygen 
C) neon 
D) water vapor 
E) xenon 
A) argon 
B) oxygen 
C) neon 
D) water vapor 
E) xenon

Question 5

Protochemical reactions and pollutants from cars

The main ingredients in photochemical smog are

Accepted Answer

A) ozone,PAN,and nitric acid. 
B) PAN,nitric acid,and carbon monoxide. 
C) ozone,particulate matter,and carbon monoxide. 
D) PAN,carbon monoxide,and particulate matter. 
E) VOC and sulfur oxides. 
A) ozone,PAN,and nitric acid. 
B) PAN,nitric acid,and carbon monoxide. 
C) ozone,particulate matter,and carbon monoxide. 
D) PAN,carbon monoxide,and particulate matter. 
E) VOC and sulfur oxides.

Question 6

Atmospheric Temperature

Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A) The thermosphere and ozonosphere are the same. 
B) The ozonosphere stretches from the Earth's surface to approximately 50 km (30 mi. ). 
C) All but 0.001 percent of the atmosphere is accounted for within the stratosphere. 
D) The ozonosphere corresponds with the stratosphere. 
E) Noctilucent clouds occur in the ozonosphere. 
A) The thermosphere and ozonosphere are the same. 
B) The ozonosphere stretches from the Earth's surface to approximately 50 km (30 mi. ). 
C) All but 0.001 percent of the atmosphere is accounted for within the stratosphere. 
D) The ozonosphere corresponds with the stratosphere. 
E) Noctilucent clouds occur in the ozonosphere.

Question 7

The three stable (i.e. ,nonvariable)gases in the atmosphere,in order of abundance from most to least,are

Accepted Answer

A) carbon dioxide,argon,oxygen. 
B) oxygen,carbon dioxide,argon. 
C) argon,oxygen,nitrogen. 
D) oxygen,argon,nitrogen. 
E) nitrogen,oxygen,argon. 
A) carbon dioxide,argon,oxygen. 
B) oxygen,carbon dioxide,argon. 
C) argon,oxygen,nitrogen. 
D) oxygen,argon,nitrogen. 
E) nitrogen,oxygen,argon.

Question 8

Which of the following is true of nitrogen?

Accepted Answer

A) The human body obtains the nitrogen it needs from the air. 
B) There is very little nitrogen in the atmosphere. 
C) Nitrogen originates principally from volcanic sources. 
D) Nitrogen is a variable gas. 
E) Nitrogen fixed by bacteria rarely returns to the atmosphere. 
A) The human body obtains the nitrogen it needs from the air. 
B) There is very little nitrogen in the atmosphere. 
C) Nitrogen originates principally from volcanic sources. 
D) Nitrogen is a variable gas. 
E) Nitrogen fixed by bacteria rarely returns to the atmosphere.

Question 9

Which of the following is true regarding the depletion of ozone in the ozonosphere?

Accepted Answer

A) The depletion is restricted to the Arctic and Antarctic regions. 
B) It results from chemical reactions with chlorine derived from CFCs. 
C) It results from the burning of fossil fuels. 
D) The notion that ozone is being depleted as a result of human activity has little scientific evidence to support it. 
E) Ozone depletion is of little concern to humans,though it can damage plants. 
A) The depletion is restricted to the Arctic and Antarctic regions. 
B) It results from chemical reactions with chlorine derived from CFCs. 
C) It results from the burning of fossil fuels. 
D) The notion that ozone is being depleted as a result of human activity has little scientific evidence to support it. 
E) Ozone depletion is of little concern to humans,though it can damage plants.

Question 10

Which of the following is not true about the troposphere?

Accepted Answer

A) The altitude of the upper limits of the troposphere (the tropopause)varies with season and latitude. 
B) Approximately 90% of the total mass of the atmosphere is within the troposphere. 
C) Temperatures increase with altitude in the troposphere because the higher in altitude,the closer to the sun. 
D) The bulk of all water vapor occurs in the troposphere. 
E) An average temperature of -57°C (-70°F)defines the tropopause. 
A) The altitude of the upper limits of the troposphere (the tropopause)varies with season and latitude. 
B) Approximately 90% of the total mass of the atmosphere is within the troposphere. 
C) Temperatures increase with altitude in the troposphere because the higher in altitude,the closer to the sun. 
D) The bulk of all water vapor occurs in the troposphere. 
E) An average temperature of -57°C (-70°F)defines the tropopause.

Question 11

Atmospheric Temperature

Temperatures within the stratosphere

Accepted Answer

A) decrease with altitude according to the normal lapse rate. 
B) remain about the same from the tropopause to the stratopause. 
C) increase with altitude because of the absorption of ultraviolet radiation. 
D) decrease with altitude due to radiation losses. 
E) increase with altitude due to increased atmospheric pressure. 
A) decrease with altitude according to the normal lapse rate. 
B) remain about the same from the tropopause to the stratopause. 
C) increase with altitude because of the absorption of ultraviolet radiation. 
D) decrease with altitude due to radiation losses. 
E) increase with altitude due to increased atmospheric pressure.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes air pollution?

Accepted Answer

A) Both natural and anthropogenic gases,particles,and other substances in amounts that cause damage to the environment or are harmful to humans. 
B) Solely anthropogenic gases,particles,and other substances in amounts that cause damage to the environment or are harmful to humans. 
C) Solely natural gases,particles,and other substances in amounts that cause damage to the environment or are harmful to humans. 
D) A distinct class of gases,particles,and other substances that the EPA has deemed worthy of regulating. 
E) The release of certain gases,particles,and other substances to the air in quantities that exceed local,state,federal,and international laws. 
A) Both natural and anthropogenic gases,particles,and other substances in amounts that cause damage to the environment or are harmful to humans. 
B) Solely anthropogenic gases,particles,and other substances in amounts that cause damage to the environment or are harmful to humans. 
C) Solely natural gases,particles,and other substances in amounts that cause damage to the environment or are harmful to humans. 
D) A distinct class of gases,particles,and other substances that the EPA has deemed worthy of regulating. 
E) The release of certain gases,particles,and other substances to the air in quantities that exceed local,state,federal,and international laws.

Question 13

Based on the daily air quality index released in the U.S. ,a value of 101 to 150 indicates

Accepted Answer

A) air quality is satisfactory and air pollution poses little to no risk. 
B) some pollutants may pose health concerns for unusually sensitive individuals. 
C) everyone may experience serious health effects from hazardous air conditions. 
D) the entire population may be affected by the air quality. 
E) at risk populations may be adversely affected,but the general public will likely not. 
A) air quality is satisfactory and air pollution poses little to no risk. 
B) some pollutants may pose health concerns for unusually sensitive individuals. 
C) everyone may experience serious health effects from hazardous air conditions. 
D) the entire population may be affected by the air quality. 
E) at risk populations may be adversely affected,but the general public will likely not.

Question 14

In which two atmospheric zones does temperature increase with altitude?

Accepted Answer

A) troposphere and mesosphere 
B) troposphere and stratosphere 
C) stratosphere and mesosphere 
D) stratosphere and thermosphere 
E) mesosphere and thermosphere 
A) troposphere and mesosphere 
B) troposphere and stratosphere 
C) stratosphere and mesosphere 
D) stratosphere and thermosphere 
E) mesosphere and thermosphere

Question 15

The solar constant is measured at

Accepted Answer

A) the outer boundary of the exosphere (32,000 km (20,000 mi)). 
B) the top of the atmosphere (480 km (300 mi)). 
C) the top of the stratosphere (50 km (31 mi)). 
D) the top of the troposphere (12 km (8 mi)). 
E) Earth's surface at the equator (sea level). 
A) the outer boundary of the exosphere (32,000 km (20,000 mi)). 
B) the top of the atmosphere (480 km (300 mi)). 
C) the top of the stratosphere (50 km (31 mi)). 
D) the top of the troposphere (12 km (8 mi)). 
E) Earth's surface at the equator (sea level).

Question 16

The high temperature in the upper thermosphere

Accepted Answer

A) is produced by the absorption of UV radiation. 
B) is more a measure of sensible temperature than kinetic energy. 
C) would feel cold to humans due to few molecules for heat transfer. 
D) produces a tremendous amount of heat transfer. 
E) is produced primarily by the increased molecular activity of argon and helium. 
A) is produced by the absorption of UV radiation. 
B) is more a measure of sensible temperature than kinetic energy. 
C) would feel cold to humans due to few molecules for heat transfer. 
D) produces a tremendous amount of heat transfer. 
E) is produced primarily by the increased molecular activity of argon and helium.

Question 17

About half of Earth's crust consists of compounds containing

Accepted Answer

A) nitrogen. 
B) argon. 
C) carbon dioxide. 
D) oxygen. 
E) ozone. 
A) nitrogen. 
B) argon. 
C) carbon dioxide. 
D) oxygen. 
E) ozone.

The high temperatures in the thermosphere occur because

Based on composition,the atmosphere is divided into

The heterosphere is the layer of the atmosphere in which the gases are because of____ .

Which of the gases listed below has accumulated in the atmosphere as a result of biological processes?

Protochemical reactions and pollutants from cars The main ingredients in photochemical smog are

Atmospheric Temperature Which of the following is true?

The three stable (i.e. ,nonvariable)gases in the atmosphere,in order of abundance from most to least,are

Which of the following is true of nitrogen?

Which of the following is true regarding the depletion of ozone in the ozonosphere?

Which of the following is not true about the troposphere?

Atmospheric Temperature Temperatures within the stratosphere

Which of the following best describes air pollution?

Based on the daily air quality index released in the U.S. ,a value of 101 to 150 indicates

In which two atmospheric zones does temperature increase with altitude?

The solar constant is measured at

The high temperature in the upper thermosphere

About half of Earth's crust consists of compounds containing

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

Exam 3: Earth’s Atmosphere

The high temperatures in the thermosphere occur because

Based on composition,the atmosphere is divided into

The heterosphere is the layer of the atmosphere in which the gases are because of____ .

Which of the gases listed below has accumulated in the atmosphere as a result of biological processes?

Protochemical reactions and pollutants from cars The main ingredients in photochemical smog are

Atmospheric Temperature Which of the following is true?

The three stable (i.e. ,nonvariable)gases in the atmosphere,in order of abundance from most to least,are

Which of the following is true of nitrogen?

Which of the following is true regarding the depletion of ozone in the ozonosphere?

Which of the following is not true about the troposphere?

Atmospheric Temperature Temperatures within the stratosphere

Which of the following best describes air pollution?

Based on the daily air quality index released in the U.S. ,a value of 101 to 150 indicates

In which two atmospheric zones does temperature increase with altitude?

The solar constant is measured at

The high temperature in the upper thermosphere

About half of Earth's crust consists of compounds containing

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