Question 1

Longwave radiation (+ LW) arriving at the Earth's surface

Accepted Answer

A)  comes primarily from infrared energy emitted by the atmosphere. 
B)  comes directly from the Sun. 
C)  comes from diffuse solar radiation. 
D)  comes from UV radiation reflected from the bottoms of clouds. 
A)  comes primarily from infrared energy emitted by the atmosphere. 
B)  comes directly from the Sun. 
C)  comes from diffuse solar radiation. 
D)  comes from UV radiation reflected from the bottoms of clouds.

Question 2

The daily temperature curve exhibits a lag of about three hours relative to the insolation curve.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

Rooftop photovoltaic electrical general remains far more expensive than power line construction to rural areas.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

What does "albedo" mean? Discuss the albedo of different surfaces including several not explicitly discussed in the textbook.

Accepted Answer

Albedo is the reflective quality of a su

Question 5

The reflective quality of a surface is known as its

Accepted Answer

A)  conduction. 
B)  absorption. 
C)  albedo. 
D)  scattering. 
A)  conduction. 
B)  absorption. 
C)  albedo. 
D)  scattering.

Question 6

Which of the following is true relative to the Earth-atmosphere radiation system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Averaged over a year, Earth's surface has an energy budget. 
B)  Averaged over a year, Earth's surface has an energy deficit. 
C)  Averaged over a year, Earth's atmosphere has an energy budget. 
D)  The Earth's energy is never in balance because surface surpluses are greater than atmosphere deficits. 
A)  Averaged over a year, Earth's surface has an energy budget. 
B)  Averaged over a year, Earth's surface has an energy deficit. 
C)  Averaged over a year, Earth's atmosphere has an energy budget. 
D)  The Earth's energy is never in balance because surface surpluses are greater than atmosphere deficits.

Question 7

The insolation received at Earth's surface is

Accepted Answer

A)  usually low at the equator. 
B)  generally greater at high latitudes because of daylength. 
C)  greatest over low-latitude deserts with their cloudless skies. 
D)  inadequate to sustain life. 
A)  usually low at the equator. 
B)  generally greater at high latitudes because of daylength. 
C)  greatest over low-latitude deserts with their cloudless skies. 
D)  inadequate to sustain life.

Question 8

Which of the following is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  Urbanized surfaces tend to be sealed. 
B)  Urban surfaces have lower albedos and higher NET R values. 
C)  The amount of Human-produced heat is not significant in New York City. 
D)  A city responds much as a desert surface during and after a rainstorm. 
A)  Urbanized surfaces tend to be sealed. 
B)  Urban surfaces have lower albedos and higher NET R values. 
C)  The amount of Human-produced heat is not significant in New York City. 
D)  A city responds much as a desert surface during and after a rainstorm.

Question 9

Which of the following is not associated with urban environments?

Accepted Answer

A)  higher relative humidity than that in surrounding rural areas 
B)  greatly increased condensation nuclei relative to surrounding rural areas 
C)  increased precipitation relative to surrounding rural areas 
D)  lower annual mean wind speeds relative to surrounding rural areas 
A)  higher relative humidity than that in surrounding rural areas 
B)  greatly increased condensation nuclei relative to surrounding rural areas 
C)  increased precipitation relative to surrounding rural areas 
D)  lower annual mean wind speeds relative to surrounding rural areas

Question 10

Which of the following combinations of NET R terms would be associated with a hot, dry climate? (LE = latent heat of evaporation; H= sensible heat; G=ground heating and cooling)

Accepted Answer

A)  LE large; H small; G large 
B)  LE small; H large; G large 
C)  LE small; H small; G small 
D)  LE large; H small; G small 
A)  LE large; H small; G large 
B)  LE small; H large; G large 
C)  LE small; H small; G small 
D)  LE large; H small; G small

Question 11

Low, thick stratus clouds have little effect on the Earth's climate.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Because of the process known as ________ the Sun appears above the horizon ________ it has actually risen.

Accepted Answer

A)  transmission; before 
B)  transmission; after 
C)  refraction; before 
D)  refraction; after 
E)  reflection; before 
A)  transmission; before 
B)  transmission; after 
C)  refraction; before 
D)  refraction; after 
E)  reflection; before

Question 13

Following the urban heat island profile from rural areas to a typical downtown urban area, which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Commercial and urban residential areas have the highest late afternoon temperatures. 
B)  Large urban parks do not mitigate against the urban heat island. 
C)  On average, urban areas are 1 to 3°C higher than nearby rural areas. 
D)  The temperature variations between urban and rural environments are negligible. 
A)  Commercial and urban residential areas have the highest late afternoon temperatures. 
B)  Large urban parks do not mitigate against the urban heat island. 
C)  On average, urban areas are 1 to 3°C higher than nearby rural areas. 
D)  The temperature variations between urban and rural environments are negligible.

Question 14

Sensible heat transfer (H) refers to energy transfer between the air and the surface by

Accepted Answer

A)  turbulent eddies, convection, and conduction. 
B)  evaporation of water. 
C)  reflection of insolation. 
D)  ground heating. 
A)  turbulent eddies, convection, and conduction. 
B)  evaporation of water. 
C)  reflection of insolation. 
D)  ground heating.

Question 15

The average building in the United States does not receive enough solar energy required to heat the inside of the building.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Net radiation (NET R) refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the net energy expended for ground heating and cooling. 
B)  the balance of all radiation incoming and outgoing at Earth's surface. 
C)  the amount of insolation coming into the surface. 
D)  the amount of insolation not absorbed at the surface. 
A)  the net energy expended for ground heating and cooling. 
B)  the balance of all radiation incoming and outgoing at Earth's surface. 
C)  the amount of insolation coming into the surface. 
D)  the amount of insolation not absorbed at the surface.

Question 17

Discuss the components of the surface energy budget.

Accepted Answer

+SW is incoming shortwave radiation from

Question 18

In equatorial and tropic regions, energy surpluses prevail, whereas energy deficits prevail at higher latitudes.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

The general term describing the pollution related decline in insolation to insolation to the Earth's surface is

Accepted Answer

A)  greenhouse effect. 
B)  earthshine. 
C)  Global dimming. 
D)  Atmospheric albedo. 
A)  greenhouse effect. 
B)  earthshine. 
C)  Global dimming. 
D)  Atmospheric albedo.

Question 20

The analogy of a greenhouse is

Accepted Answer

A)  completely unrelated to our Earth-atmosphere system, and should never have been used to describe global warming. 
B)  exactly how the Earth-atmosphere system operates. 
C)  a useful, but inaccurate model since atmospheric gases do not trap, but absorb heat. 
D)  while it incorrectly describes shortwave energy transmission, it perfectly encapsulates how longwave terrestrial radiation is trapped. 
A)  completely unrelated to our Earth-atmosphere system, and should never have been used to describe global warming. 
B)  exactly how the Earth-atmosphere system operates. 
C)  a useful, but inaccurate model since atmospheric gases do not trap, but absorb heat. 
D)  while it incorrectly describes shortwave energy transmission, it perfectly encapsulates how longwave terrestrial radiation is trapped.

Longwave radiation (+ LW) arriving at the Earth's surface

The daily temperature curve exhibits a lag of about three hours relative to the insolation curve.

Rooftop photovoltaic electrical general remains far more expensive than power line construction to rural areas.

What does "albedo" mean? Discuss the albedo of different surfaces including several not explicitly discussed in the textbook.

The reflective quality of a surface is known as its

Which of the following is true relative to the Earth-atmosphere radiation system?

The insolation received at Earth's surface is

Which of the following is false?

Which of the following is not associated with urban environments?

Which of the following combinations of NET R terms would be associated with a hot, dry climate? (LE = latent heat of evaporation; H= sensible heat; G=ground heating and cooling)

Low, thick stratus clouds have little effect on the Earth's climate.

Because of the process known as the Sun appears above the horizon it has actually risen.

Following the urban heat island profile from rural areas to a typical downtown urban area, which of the following is true?

Sensible heat transfer (H) refers to energy transfer between the air and the surface by

The average building in the United States does not receive enough solar energy required to heat the inside of the building.

Net radiation (NET R) refers to

Discuss the components of the surface energy budget.

In equatorial and tropic regions, energy surpluses prevail, whereas energy deficits prevail at higher latitudes.

The general term describing the pollution related decline in insolation to insolation to the Earth's surface is

The analogy of a greenhouse is

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

Longwave radiation (+ LW) arriving at the Earth's surface

The daily temperature curve exhibits a lag of about three hours relative to the insolation curve.

Rooftop photovoltaic electrical general remains far more expensive than power line construction to rural areas.

What does "albedo" mean? Discuss the albedo of different surfaces including several not explicitly discussed in the textbook.

The reflective quality of a surface is known as its

Which of the following is true relative to the Earth-atmosphere radiation system?

The insolation received at Earth's surface is

Which of the following is false?

Which of the following is not associated with urban environments?

Which of the following combinations of NET R terms would be associated with a hot, dry climate? (LE = latent heat of evaporation; H= sensible heat; G=ground heating and cooling)

Low, thick stratus clouds have little effect on the Earth's climate.

Because of the process known as ________ the Sun appears above the horizon ________ it has actually risen.

Following the urban heat island profile from rural areas to a typical downtown urban area, which of the following is true?

Sensible heat transfer (H) refers to energy transfer between the air and the surface by

The average building in the United States does not receive enough solar energy required to heat the inside of the building.

Net radiation (NET R) refers to

Discuss the components of the surface energy budget.

In equatorial and tropic regions, energy surpluses prevail, whereas energy deficits prevail at higher latitudes.

The general term describing the pollution related decline in insolation to insolation to the Earth's surface is

The analogy of a greenhouse is

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

Because of the process known as the Sun appears above the horizon it has actually risen.