Question 1

Describe and analyze the various methods of tapping solar energy and explain why they do not enjoy more widespread use.

Accepted Answer

A passive solar system captures heat ene

Question 2

Describe the different methods of heat transfer.

Accepted Answer

Answers should include radiation (transf

Question 3

Though oceans cover 70% of the Earth, scientists still have limited knowledge of the ocean's role in the Earth-atmosphere heat balance.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Aerosols and other particulates can have been a cooling and warming effect on the climate.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

A vertical air current that is generated by temperature-induced density differences is an example of heat transfer by

Accepted Answer

A)  advection. 
B)  convection. 
C)  conduction. 
D)  transmission. 
E)  diffusion. 
A)  advection. 
B)  convection. 
C)  conduction. 
D)  transmission. 
E)  diffusion.

Question 6

Which of the following is not a reason for the energy surplus between the tropics?

Accepted Answer

A)  high insolation 
B)  indirect solar radiation 
C)  consistent daylength 
D)  little seasonal variations 
A)  high insolation 
B)  indirect solar radiation 
C)  consistent daylength 
D)  little seasonal variations

Question 7

Which of the following has the highest albedo?

Accepted Answer

A)  forests 
B)  asphalt 
C)  dry, light sandy soils 
D)  fresh snow 
A)  forests 
B)  asphalt 
C)  dry, light sandy soils 
D)  fresh snow

Question 8

When light passes from one medium to another, resulting in a change in speed and direction of insolation,

Accepted Answer

A)  transmission happens. 
B)  Rayleigh scattering is the predominant effect. 
C)  refraction occurs. 
D)  it is usually not affected physically. 
A)  transmission happens. 
B)  Rayleigh scattering is the predominant effect. 
C)  refraction occurs. 
D)  it is usually not affected physically.

Question 9

If the surface of Earth were to suddenly turn white, the temperature of the planet would ________ because ________ insolation would be absorbed.

Accepted Answer

A)  decrease; less 
B)  decrease; more 
C)  increase; less 
D)  increase; more 
A)  decrease; less 
B)  decrease; more 
C)  increase; less 
D)  increase; more

Question 10

High altitude cirrus clouds can act as insulators, absorbing terrestrial longwave radiation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Describe different ways in which anthopogenic activity can affect the energy balance.

Accepted Answer

Examples include burning of fo

Question 12

The reflective quality of a surface is called its albedo and is expressed as a percentage.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

The relationship between insolation and air temperature through the course of day shows

Accepted Answer

A)  air temperature reaches a maximum at noon when insolation also reaches a maximum. 
B)  air temperature reaches a maximum afternoon, whereas insolution reaches a maximum at noon. 
C)  air temperature maximum and minimums are not related to insolation. 
D)  air temperature reaches a minimum at midnight when there is no insolation. 
A)  air temperature reaches a maximum at noon when insolation also reaches a maximum. 
B)  air temperature reaches a maximum afternoon, whereas insolution reaches a maximum at noon. 
C)  air temperature maximum and minimums are not related to insolation. 
D)  air temperature reaches a minimum at midnight when there is no insolation.

Question 14

The assimilation of radiation by molecules of matter is

Accepted Answer

A)  refraction. 
B)  absorption. 
C)  reflection. 
D)  transmission. 
A)  refraction. 
B)  absorption. 
C)  reflection. 
D)  transmission.

Question 15

Which of the following is correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

A)  insolation - shortwave radiation - UV, visible, and near infrared 
B)  insolation - longwave radiation - thermal infrared radiation 
C)  terrestrial radiation - shortwave radiation - UV, visible, and near infrared 
D)  terrestrial radiation - shortwave radiation - thermal infrared radiation 
A)  insolation - shortwave radiation - UV, visible, and near infrared 
B)  insolation - longwave radiation - thermal infrared radiation 
C)  terrestrial radiation - shortwave radiation - UV, visible, and near infrared 
D)  terrestrial radiation - shortwave radiation - thermal infrared radiation

Question 16

Which of the following is true of the albedo of water?

Accepted Answer

A)  It changes, depending upon the Sun angle. 
B)  It is greatest when the Sun is low in the sky. 
C)  It never changes-albedos are constant values. 
D)  It is less for frozen water than for liquid water. 
A)  It changes, depending upon the Sun angle. 
B)  It is greatest when the Sun is low in the sky. 
C)  It never changes-albedos are constant values. 
D)  It is less for frozen water than for liquid water.

Question 17

Which of the following is true of differences in latitudinal energy?

Accepted Answer

A)  There is an energy balance between energy gains and losses around 36° latitude. 
B)  There is year-round energy deficit at the Tropic of Capricorn. 
C)  The equator has an energy balance in the summer, but a deficit in the winter. 
D)  Energy imbalances betweens the tropics and the poles are negligible. 
A)  There is an energy balance between energy gains and losses around 36° latitude. 
B)  There is year-round energy deficit at the Tropic of Capricorn. 
C)  The equator has an energy balance in the summer, but a deficit in the winter. 
D)  Energy imbalances betweens the tropics and the poles are negligible.

Question 18

Describe the energy pathways of insolation as it enters the Earth's atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

Answers should inclu

Question 19

If a surface absorbs insolation,

Accepted Answer

A)  its temperature increases. 
B)  its temperature decreases. 
C)  its temperature is unaffected. 
D)  refraction occurs. 
E)  diffuse radiation occurs. 
A)  its temperature increases. 
B)  its temperature decreases. 
C)  its temperature is unaffected. 
D)  refraction occurs. 
E)  diffuse radiation occurs.

Question 20

Which of the following is correct regarding the Northwest and Northeast Passages?

Accepted Answer

A)  Until recently, sea ice blocked the routes, making them unavailable for shipping. 
B)  They have been used for shipping and circumnavigation since the 1800s. 
C)  They have been blocked since 2007 by increasing ice. 
D)  They are expected to remain open until 2015. 
A)  Until recently, sea ice blocked the routes, making them unavailable for shipping. 
B)  They have been used for shipping and circumnavigation since the 1800s. 
C)  They have been blocked since 2007 by increasing ice. 
D)  They are expected to remain open until 2015.

Describe and analyze the various methods of tapping solar energy and explain why they do not enjoy more widespread use.

Describe the different methods of heat transfer.

Though oceans cover 70% of the Earth, scientists still have limited knowledge of the ocean's role in the Earth-atmosphere heat balance.

Aerosols and other particulates can have been a cooling and warming effect on the climate.

A vertical air current that is generated by temperature-induced density differences is an example of heat transfer by

Which of the following is not a reason for the energy surplus between the tropics?

Which of the following has the highest albedo?

When light passes from one medium to another, resulting in a change in speed and direction of insolation,

If the surface of Earth were to suddenly turn white, the temperature of the planet would because insolation would be absorbed.

High altitude cirrus clouds can act as insulators, absorbing terrestrial longwave radiation.

Describe different ways in which anthopogenic activity can affect the energy balance.

The reflective quality of a surface is called its albedo and is expressed as a percentage.

The relationship between insolation and air temperature through the course of day shows

The assimilation of radiation by molecules of matter is

Which of the following is correctly matched?

Which of the following is true of the albedo of water?

Which of the following is true of differences in latitudinal energy?

Describe the energy pathways of insolation as it enters the Earth's atmosphere.

If a surface absorbs insolation,

Which of the following is correct regarding the Northwest and Northeast Passages?

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Earths Modern Atmosphere

Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Global Climate Systems

Climate Change

The Dynamic Planet

Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism

Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

River Systems and Landforms

The Oceans, Coastal Processes, and Wind Processes

Glacial and Periglacial Processes and Landforms

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Filters

Exam 4: Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances

Describe and analyze the various methods of tapping solar energy and explain why they do not enjoy more widespread use.

Describe the different methods of heat transfer.

Though oceans cover 70% of the Earth, scientists still have limited knowledge of the ocean's role in the Earth-atmosphere heat balance.

Aerosols and other particulates can have been a cooling and warming effect on the climate.

A vertical air current that is generated by temperature-induced density differences is an example of heat transfer by

Which of the following is not a reason for the energy surplus between the tropics?

Which of the following has the highest albedo?

When light passes from one medium to another, resulting in a change in speed and direction of insolation,

If the surface of Earth were to suddenly turn white, the temperature of the planet would ________ because ________ insolation would be absorbed.

High altitude cirrus clouds can act as insulators, absorbing terrestrial longwave radiation.

Describe different ways in which anthopogenic activity can affect the energy balance.

The reflective quality of a surface is called its albedo and is expressed as a percentage.

The relationship between insolation and air temperature through the course of day shows

The assimilation of radiation by molecules of matter is

Which of the following is correctly matched?

Which of the following is true of the albedo of water?

Which of the following is true of differences in latitudinal energy?

Describe the energy pathways of insolation as it enters the Earth's atmosphere.

If a surface absorbs insolation,

Which of the following is correct regarding the Northwest and Northeast Passages?

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Earths Modern Atmosphere

Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Global Climate Systems

Climate Change

The Dynamic Planet

Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism

Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

River Systems and Landforms

The Oceans, Coastal Processes, and Wind Processes

Glacial and Periglacial Processes and Landforms

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Filters

If the surface of Earth were to suddenly turn white, the temperature of the planet would because insolation would be absorbed.