Question 1

Natural rainfall is often slightly acidic.The natural acidity primarily results from the interaction of water with

Accepted Answer

A) carbon dioxide. 
B) sulfur oxides. 
C) nitrogen oxides. 
D) PAN. 
E) ozone. 
A) carbon dioxide. 
B) sulfur oxides. 
C) nitrogen oxides. 
D) PAN. 
E) ozone.

Question 2

Photochemistry produces ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrates (PAN),which are both damaging to plants.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

Which of the following is true of carbon dioxide?

Accepted Answer

A) it is unimportant in regulating the temperature of the planet. 
B) it is a natural product of life processes (i.e. ,respiration). 
C) it occurs in large amounts in the atmosphere-as one would expect given the important role it plays in life processes and in regulating the temperature of the planet. 
D) the amount of carbon dioxide has decreased as a result of human activities. 
E) it is unrelated to industrial manufacturing on Earth. 
A) it is unimportant in regulating the temperature of the planet. 
B) it is a natural product of life processes (i.e. ,respiration). 
C) it occurs in large amounts in the atmosphere-as one would expect given the important role it plays in life processes and in regulating the temperature of the planet. 
D) the amount of carbon dioxide has decreased as a result of human activities. 
E) it is unrelated to industrial manufacturing on Earth.

Question 4

Acid rain with a pH comparable to that of lemon juice has fallen in the United States.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Oxygen (O²)

Accepted Answer

A) is a gas which principally originates from volcanic sources. 
B) is a by-product of plant-leaf operations that are stimulated by light. 
C) is one of the gases from Earth's earliest atmospheres. 
D) is now measured at 78.084% by volume in the homosphere. 
E) exists in quantities in the atmosphere which are in danger of becoming depleted. 
A) is a gas which principally originates from volcanic sources. 
B) is a by-product of plant-leaf operations that are stimulated by light. 
C) is one of the gases from Earth's earliest atmospheres. 
D) is now measured at 78.084% by volume in the homosphere. 
E) exists in quantities in the atmosphere which are in danger of becoming depleted.

Question 6

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) two brad classifications that are bound by temperature changes. 
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) two brad classifications that are bound by temperature changes.

Question 7

The ionosphere

Accepted Answer

A) primarily absorbs harmful infrared wavelengths. 
B) allows all radio signals pass through virtually unaffected. 
C) is the region that principally absorbs gamma rays,X-rays,and interacts with the solar wind. 
D) is being depleted through interactions with human-produced chlorofluorocarbons. 
E) has only existed since the dawn of space travel. 
A) primarily absorbs harmful infrared wavelengths. 
B) allows all radio signals pass through virtually unaffected. 
C) is the region that principally absorbs gamma rays,X-rays,and interacts with the solar wind. 
D) is being depleted through interactions with human-produced chlorofluorocarbons. 
E) has only existed since the dawn of space travel.

Question 8

When the Sun is active,the thermosphere increases in size.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Which of the following is correct regarding lapse rates in the troposphere?

Accepted Answer

A) the term "normal (average)lapse rate" refers to the actual lapse rate in effect at any particular time 
B) the environmental lapse rate refers to the actual lapse rate at any particular time and may differ substantially from the normal lapse rate. 
C) the normal lapse rate is always the same as the dry adiabatic rate (DAR). 
D) temperatures generally increase with altitude in the troposphere. 
E) temperatures generally remain constant throughout the troposphere. 
A) the term "normal (average)lapse rate" refers to the actual lapse rate in effect at any particular time 
B) the environmental lapse rate refers to the actual lapse rate at any particular time and may differ substantially from the normal lapse rate. 
C) the normal lapse rate is always the same as the dry adiabatic rate (DAR). 
D) temperatures generally increase with altitude in the troposphere. 
E) temperatures generally remain constant throughout the troposphere.

Question 10

The oxides of sulfur and nitrogen

Accepted Answer

A) diminish concentrations of airborne sulfuric and nitric acid. 
B) form bases that are deposited in both dry and wet forms. 
C) are produced only by industry and transportation. 
D) are causing major environmental problems in Europe and Asia. 
E) cannot be detected in the atmosphere. 
A) diminish concentrations of airborne sulfuric and nitric acid. 
B) form bases that are deposited in both dry and wet forms. 
C) are produced only by industry and transportation. 
D) are causing major environmental problems in Europe and Asia. 
E) cannot be detected in the atmosphere.

Question 11

The two most abundant gases in the atmosphere are

Accepted Answer

A) water vapour and carbon dioxide. 
B) nitrogen and water vapor. 
C) nitrogen and oxygen. 
D) oxygen and carbon dioxide. 
E) nitrogen and carbon dioxide. 
A) water vapour and carbon dioxide. 
B) nitrogen and water vapor. 
C) nitrogen and oxygen. 
D) oxygen and carbon dioxide. 
E) nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

Question 12

Directly above the midlatitudes,the tropopause (-57°C)occurs at approximately:

Accepted Answer

A) 1 km. 
B) 13 km. 
C) 50 km. 
D) wherever 0°C is recorded as the surface temperature. 
E) 480 km. 
A) 1 km. 
B) 13 km. 
C) 50 km. 
D) wherever 0°C is recorded as the surface temperature. 
E) 480 km.

Question 13

The problem of air pollution was first reported during

Accepted Answer

A) the time of the Romans (2000 years ago). 
B) the Middle Ages (approximately 550 A.D.to 1500 A.D. ). 
C) the 1800s. 
D) the twentieth century. 
E) the beginning of the industrial revolution. 
A) the time of the Romans (2000 years ago). 
B) the Middle Ages (approximately 550 A.D.to 1500 A.D. ). 
C) the 1800s. 
D) the twentieth century. 
E) the beginning of the industrial revolution.

Question 14

Photochemical smog developed with the advent of

Accepted Answer

A) coal burning stoves. 
B) the industrial revolution. 
C) smelting of ores. 
D) automobiles. 
E) photography. 
A) coal burning stoves. 
B) the industrial revolution. 
C) smelting of ores. 
D) automobiles. 
E) photography.

Question 15

The high temperature in the upper thermosphere

Accepted Answer

A) is produced by moonlight. 
B) is more a measure of sensible temperature than kinetic energy. 
C) is more a measure of kinetic energy than sensible temperature. 
D) produces a tremendous amount of heat transfer. 
E) is a storage of potential energy for th e lower atmosphere. 
A) is produced by moonlight. 
B) is more a measure of sensible temperature than kinetic energy. 
C) is more a measure of kinetic energy than sensible temperature. 
D) produces a tremendous amount of heat transfer. 
E) is a storage of potential energy for th e lower atmosphere.

Question 16

Which of the following can lead to a temperature inversion?

Accepted Answer

A) heat into mountain valleys 
B) radiative cooling of the ground at night 
C) a lowering of the stratosphere during periods of low Sun activity 
D) rapid rise of air during low pressure events. 
E) reflectance of sunlight off cloud tops. 
A) heat into mountain valleys 
B) radiative cooling of the ground at night 
C) a lowering of the stratosphere during periods of low Sun activity 
D) rapid rise of air during low pressure events. 
E) reflectance of sunlight off cloud tops.

Question 17

Severe pollution conditions tend to develop during periods of stormy weather i.e. ,during periods dominated by low pressure systems.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Increased levels of ultraviolet light at Earth's surface

Accepted Answer

A) pose no threat of skin cancer to all races. 
B) are related to an increasing rate of skin cancer. 
C) cannot cause damage to oceanic life forms. 
D) are unrelated to the general reduction in stratospheric ozone. 
E) have been measured since Roman times. 
A) pose no threat of skin cancer to all races. 
B) are related to an increasing rate of skin cancer. 
C) cannot cause damage to oceanic life forms. 
D) are unrelated to the general reduction in stratospheric ozone. 
E) have been measured since Roman times.

Question 19

Which of the following is a consequence of acid rain?

Accepted Answer

A) the regrowth of forests. 
B) damage to terrestrial (land)and aquatic ecosystems (rivers and lakes). 
C) increased crop yields. 
D) improved fish fertility. 
E) preservation of historic artifacts. 
A) the regrowth of forests. 
B) damage to terrestrial (land)and aquatic ecosystems (rivers and lakes). 
C) increased crop yields. 
D) improved fish fertility. 
E) preservation of historic artifacts.

Question 20

Temperature inversions occur

Accepted Answer

A) when surface temperatures are higher than overlying layers of air. 
B) when there is good air drainage and ventilation of the surface air. 
C) when surface temperatures are lower than warmer overlying air. 
D) during episodes of reduced air pollution. 
E) when tropospheric temperatures remain unchanged with altitude. 
A) when surface temperatures are higher than overlying layers of air. 
B) when there is good air drainage and ventilation of the surface air. 
C) when surface temperatures are lower than warmer overlying air. 
D) during episodes of reduced air pollution. 
E) when tropospheric temperatures remain unchanged with altitude.

Exam 3: Earth's Modern Atmosphere

Natural rainfall is often slightly acidic.The natural acidity primarily results from the interaction of water with

Photochemistry produces ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrates (PAN),which are both damaging to plants.

Which of the following is true of carbon dioxide?

Acid rain with a pH comparable to that of lemon juice has fallen in the United States.

Oxygen (O²)

Based on composition,the atmosphere is divided into

The ionosphere

When the Sun is active,the thermosphere increases in size.

Which of the following is correct regarding lapse rates in the troposphere?

The oxides of sulfur and nitrogen

The two most abundant gases in the atmosphere are

Directly above the midlatitudes,the tropopause (-57°C)occurs at approximately:

The problem of air pollution was first reported during

Photochemical smog developed with the advent of

The high temperature in the upper thermosphere

Which of the following can lead to a temperature inversion?

Severe pollution conditions tend to develop during periods of stormy weather i.e. ,during periods dominated by low pressure systems.

Increased levels of ultraviolet light at Earth's surface

Which of the following is a consequence of acid rain?

Temperature inversions occur

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances

Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Climate Systems and Climate Change

The Dynamic Planet

Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism

Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

River Systems and Landforms

Eolian Processes and Arid Landscapes

The Oceans, Coastal Processes, and Landforms

Glacial and Periglacial Processes and Landforms

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Earth and the Human Denominator

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