Question 1

Which of the following accurately describes ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios of ice sheets?

Accepted Answer

A)  During warmer periods, ¹⁸O evaporates more readily and therefore the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio is higher. 
B)  The higher the ratio of ice core ¹⁸O/¹⁶O, the cooler there temperatures because the ¹⁸O will be locked up in ice sheets. 
C)  During periods of colder temperature, the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio is higher because only the ¹⁸O isotope is being evaporated. 
D)  During warmer periods, ¹⁶O evaporates more readily and therefore the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio is significantly lower than colder periods. 
A)  During warmer periods, ¹⁸O evaporates more readily and therefore the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio is higher. 
B)  The higher the ratio of ice core ¹⁸O/¹⁶O, the cooler there temperatures because the ¹⁸O will be locked up in ice sheets. 
C)  During periods of colder temperature, the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio is higher because only the ¹⁸O isotope is being evaporated. 
D)  During warmer periods, ¹⁶O evaporates more readily and therefore the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio is significantly lower than colder periods.

Question 2

Methane(CH₄) is the second most prevalent anthropogenic greenhouse gas.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

Changes in the Earth's orbital configuration may lead to warming temperatures. These warming temperatures, in turn, may lead to the release of both CO₂ and CH₄. Increases in these gases may further warm the planet. This is an example of a

Accepted Answer

A)  positive feedback loop. 
B)  negative feedback loop. 
C)  neither a positive or negative feedback loop. 
A)  positive feedback loop. 
B)  negative feedback loop. 
C)  neither a positive or negative feedback loop.

Question 4

Radiative forcing (climate forcing) refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the power of electromagnetic radiation per unit area. 
B)  the amount by which some perturbation causes Earth's energy balance to deviate from zero. 
C)  a measurement of solar radiation energy received on a give surface area. 
D)  the contribution of each greenhouse gas to global warming. 
A)  the power of electromagnetic radiation per unit area. 
B)  the amount by which some perturbation causes Earth's energy balance to deviate from zero. 
C)  a measurement of solar radiation energy received on a give surface area. 
D)  the contribution of each greenhouse gas to global warming.

Question 5

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) residence time in the atmosphere is 7 to 10 years.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Which of the following is not a stated ancillary benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Improved air quality. 
B)  Increase in renewable and sustainable energy development. 
C)  Greater dependence on imported oil. 
D)  Fewer oil tanker spills. 
A)  Improved air quality. 
B)  Increase in renewable and sustainable energy development. 
C)  Greater dependence on imported oil. 
D)  Fewer oil tanker spills.

Question 7

The science that studies the Earth's past climates is

Accepted Answer

A)  climate change science. 
B)  meteorology. 
C)  paleoclimatology. 
D)  dendrochronology. 
A)  climate change science. 
B)  meteorology. 
C)  paleoclimatology. 
D)  dendrochronology.

Question 8

What is radiative forcing? List gases and aerosols that have positive or negative radiative forcing. What is the primary source of each.

Accepted Answer

Radiative forcing (climate forcing) desc

Question 9

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the most abundant natural greenhouse gas.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Carbon dioxide (CO₂)has a longer residence time in the atmosphere than methane (CH₄).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Thawing of tundra due to warming temperatures results in more carbon released from tundra soils than is absorbed.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Over the span of the last 5 million years, climate reconstructions show a series of cooler and warmer periods.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Radiocarbon dating of organic material may provide a climate record for up to ________ years before present.

Accepted Answer

A)  10,000 
B)  25,000 
C)  50,000 
D)  75,000 
A)  10,000 
B)  25,000 
C)  50,000 
D)  75,000

Question 14

Ice core analysis shows a close correlation between atmospheric methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations and temperatures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Though the U.S. is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. Congress never ratified it.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

The ________ is a graph which plots monthly averages of CO₂ concentrations since 1958.

Accepted Answer

A)  PETM 
B)  Younger Dryas 
C)  Keeling Curve 
D)  MCA 
A)  PETM 
B)  Younger Dryas 
C)  Keeling Curve 
D)  MCA

Question 17

Of the following anthropogenic methane (CH₄) sources, which is the largest?

Accepted Answer

A)  livestock 
B)  wastewater treatment 
C)  agriculture associated fires 
D)  rice paddies 
A)  livestock 
B)  wastewater treatment 
C)  agriculture associated fires 
D)  rice paddies

Question 18

Which of the following is correct regarding Arctic sea ice?

Accepted Answer

A)  Until recently, seasonal variations in sea ice extent were rare. 
B)  Summer sea ice reached its minimum extent in 2001 and has gradually increased since then. 
C)  Since 1979, summer sea ice minimum extent and winter sea ice maximum extent have declined. 
D)  In the summer, most to all sea ice melts, only to refreeze in the winter. However, less water has been refreezing over the past decade. 
A)  Until recently, seasonal variations in sea ice extent were rare. 
B)  Summer sea ice reached its minimum extent in 2001 and has gradually increased since then. 
C)  Since 1979, summer sea ice minimum extent and winter sea ice maximum extent have declined. 
D)  In the summer, most to all sea ice melts, only to refreeze in the winter. However, less water has been refreezing over the past decade.

Question 19

The physical evidence for global climate change is limited, based primarily on conjecture and indirect evidence.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

The majority of human population growth is now occurring in more-developed countries (MDCs).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Which of the following accurately describes ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios of ice sheets?

Methane(CH₄) is the second most prevalent anthropogenic greenhouse gas.

Changes in the Earth's orbital configuration may lead to warming temperatures. These warming temperatures, in turn, may lead to the release of both CO₂ and CH₄. Increases in these gases may further warm the planet. This is an example of a

Radiative forcing (climate forcing) refers to

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) residence time in the atmosphere is 7 to 10 years.

Which of the following is not a stated ancillary benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

The science that studies the Earth's past climates is

What is radiative forcing? List gases and aerosols that have positive or negative radiative forcing. What is the primary source of each.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the most abundant natural greenhouse gas.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂)has a longer residence time in the atmosphere than methane (CH₄).

Thawing of tundra due to warming temperatures results in more carbon released from tundra soils than is absorbed.

Over the span of the last 5 million years, climate reconstructions show a series of cooler and warmer periods.

Radiocarbon dating of organic material may provide a climate record for up to ________ years before present.

Ice core analysis shows a close correlation between atmospheric methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations and temperatures.

Though the U.S. is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. Congress never ratified it.

The ________ is a graph which plots monthly averages of CO₂ concentrations since 1958.

Of the following anthropogenic methane (CH₄) sources, which is the largest?

Which of the following is correct regarding Arctic sea ice?

The physical evidence for global climate change is limited, based primarily on conjecture and indirect evidence.

The majority of human population growth is now occurring in more-developed countries (MDCs).

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Earths Modern Atmosphere

Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances

Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Global Climate Systems

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 11: Climate Change

Which of the following accurately describes ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios of ice sheets?

Methane(CH₄) is the second most prevalent anthropogenic greenhouse gas.

Changes in the Earth's orbital configuration may lead to warming temperatures. These warming temperatures, in turn, may lead to the release of both CO₂ and CH₄. Increases in these gases may further warm the planet. This is an example of a

Radiative forcing (climate forcing) refers to

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) residence time in the atmosphere is 7 to 10 years.

Which of the following is not a stated ancillary benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

The science that studies the Earth's past climates is

What is radiative forcing? List gases and aerosols that have positive or negative radiative forcing. What is the primary source of each.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the most abundant natural greenhouse gas.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂)has a longer residence time in the atmosphere than methane (CH₄).

Thawing of tundra due to warming temperatures results in more carbon released from tundra soils than is absorbed.

Over the span of the last 5 million years, climate reconstructions show a series of cooler and warmer periods.

Radiocarbon dating of organic material may provide a climate record for up to ________ years before present.

Ice core analysis shows a close correlation between atmospheric methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations and temperatures.

Though the U.S. is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. Congress never ratified it.

The ________ is a graph which plots monthly averages of CO₂ concentrations since 1958.

Of the following anthropogenic methane (CH₄) sources, which is the largest?

Which of the following is correct regarding Arctic sea ice?

The physical evidence for global climate change is limited, based primarily on conjecture and indirect evidence.

The majority of human population growth is now occurring in more-developed countries (MDCs).

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Earths Modern Atmosphere

Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances

Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Global Climate Systems

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