Question 1

Climate change science is an integral part of physical geography and Earth system science.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

The ¹⁶O evaporates ________ easily than ¹⁸O, and condenses ________ easily.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

Delaying action on climate change may be dangerous and more costly in the long run.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

A higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ocean sediment cores indicates a ________ climate, and a higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ice cores indicates a ________ climate.

Accepted Answer

A)  cooler; warmer 
B)  warmer; cooler 
C)  cooler; cooler 
D)  warmer; warmer 
A)  cooler; warmer 
B)  warmer; cooler 
C)  cooler; cooler 
D)  warmer; warmer

Question 5

Increased cloud cover resulting from warming temperatures may lead to either either cloud albedo forcing or cloud greenhouse forcing. Cloud albedo forcing is an example of a ________ feedback loop and cloud greenhouse forcing is an example of a ________ feed book loop.

Accepted Answer

A)  negative; negative 
B)  negative; positive 
C)  positive; negative 
D)  positive; positive 
A)  negative; negative 
B)  negative; positive 
C)  positive; negative 
D)  positive; positive

Question 6

The United States leads the world in per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

As air temperatures increase, evaporation increases. Warmer temperatures also increase the capacity to absorb water vapor. More water vapor in the atmosphere accelerates the greenhouse effect. As temperatures increase further, more water vapor can enter the atmosphere, causing temperatures to increase even more. This is an example of a(n)

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 8

As air temperatures increase, evaporation increases, leading to more condensation and cloud formation. Low, thick cloud cover increases the albedo of the atmosphere, thereby having a cooling effect on Earth. 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 9

The majority of human population growth is now occurring in

Accepted Answer

A)  less-developed countries (LDCs). 
B)  more-developed countries (MDCs). 
C)  evenly between LDCs and MDCs. 
D)  neither LDCs or MDCs; world populations are declining. 
A)  less-developed countries (LDCs). 
B)  more-developed countries (MDCs). 
C)  evenly between LDCs and MDCs. 
D)  neither LDCs or MDCs; world populations are declining.

Question 10

During the last century, sea level

Accepted Answer

A)  dropped 3 to 5 cm (1.18 to 3.15 in.). 
B)  remained fairly constant, though some areas (such at the Atlantic coast) experienced moderate rises. 
C)  rose 30 to 46 cm (11.8 to 18 in.). 
D)  rose 17 to 21 cm (6.7 to 8.3 in.). 
A)  dropped 3 to 5 cm (1.18 to 3.15 in.). 
B)  remained fairly constant, though some areas (such at the Atlantic coast) experienced moderate rises. 
C)  rose 30 to 46 cm (11.8 to 18 in.). 
D)  rose 17 to 21 cm (6.7 to 8.3 in.).

Question 11

A lower ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ocean sediment cores indicates a ________ climate, whereas a higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio indicates a ________ climate.

Accepted Answer

A)  cooler; warmer 
B)  warmer; cooler 
C)  cooler; cold 
D)  warmer; hot 
A)  cooler; warmer 
B)  warmer; cooler 
C)  cooler; cold 
D)  warmer; hot

Question 12

Which of the following is not an indicator of current climatic warming?

Accepted Answer

A)  increased tropospheric, land, and ocean surface temperatures 
B)  decreases in relative humidity 
C)  melting glacial ice and sea ice 
D)  rising sea levels 
A)  increased tropospheric, land, and ocean surface temperatures 
B)  decreases in relative humidity 
C)  melting glacial ice and sea ice 
D)  rising sea levels

Question 13

Natural climate forcing is greater than anthropogenic climate forcing.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Which of the following accurately describes ¹³C/¹²C ratios of plant materials and their use in climate reconstructions?

Accepted Answer

A)  ¹³C is an unstable isotope, which decays at a constant rate. This is used to date plant material, which can then be used as a proxy for temperature and climate conditions at that time. 
B)  Different plants use different types of photosynthesis, each producing a different carbon isotope ratio in plant materials, which scientists use to determine past temperature and rainfall conditions. 
C)  By analyzing the ratio of ¹³C/¹²C in marine phyyoplsnkyon, the source of the water in which the organisms resided can be determined. 
D)  ¹²C is very rare in nature. When it does appear in plant material, it is indicative of climate anomalies. By measuring the ¹³C/¹²C ratios, scientists can determine whether the plants were alive during normal or anomalous conditions. 
A)  ¹³C is an unstable isotope, which decays at a constant rate. This is used to date plant material, which can then be used as a proxy for temperature and climate conditions at that time. 
B)  Different plants use different types of photosynthesis, each producing a different carbon isotope ratio in plant materials, which scientists use to determine past temperature and rainfall conditions. 
C)  By analyzing the ratio of ¹³C/¹²C in marine phyyoplsnkyon, the source of the water in which the organisms resided can be determined. 
D)  ¹²C is very rare in nature. When it does appear in plant material, it is indicative of climate anomalies. By measuring the ¹³C/¹²C ratios, scientists can determine whether the plants were alive during normal or anomalous conditions.

Question 15

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), warming of the climate system is unequivocal.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

The exoskeletons of marine microorganisms provide a valuable clue of past climatic conditions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

A lower ¹⁸O /¹⁶O ratio in ocean core sediments is indicative of warmer temperatures, whereas a lower ¹⁸O /¹⁶O ratio in ice cores is indicative of cooler temperatures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

A lower ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ice core indicates a ________ climate, whereas a higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio indicates a ________ climate.

Accepted Answer

A)  cooler; warmer 
B)  warmer; cooler 
C)  cooler; cold 
D)  warmer; hot 
A)  cooler; warmer 
B)  warmer; cooler 
C)  cooler; cold 
D)  warmer; hot

Question 19

The three key elements of climate change science include the following except

Accepted Answer

A)  study of past climates. 
B)  measurement of current climatic change. 
C)  establishing policy on CO₂ emissions. 
D)  projection of future climate scenarios. 
A)  study of past climates. 
B)  measurement of current climatic change. 
C)  establishing policy on CO₂ emissions. 
D)  projection of future climate scenarios.

Question 20

In which of the following ways is the study of tree rings, speleothems, and corals for understanding past climatic conditions similar?

Accepted Answer

A)  All are composed of organic materials and are therefore good candidates for radiocarbon dating. 
B)  Each have growth bands, yielding evidence of the conditions under which they formed and grew. 
C)  The chronology each can provide only dates back to a maximum of 5,000 years and are, therefore, only useful for relatively recent climatic trends. 
D)  The fossilized form of each is used for understanding past climatic conditions. 
A)  All are composed of organic materials and are therefore good candidates for radiocarbon dating. 
B)  Each have growth bands, yielding evidence of the conditions under which they formed and grew. 
C)  The chronology each can provide only dates back to a maximum of 5,000 years and are, therefore, only useful for relatively recent climatic trends. 
D)  The fossilized form of each is used for understanding past climatic conditions.

Climate change science is an integral part of physical geography and Earth system science.

The ¹⁶O evaporates easily than ¹⁸O, and condenses easily.

Delaying action on climate change may be dangerous and more costly in the long run.

A higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ocean sediment cores indicates a climate, and a higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ice cores indicates a climate.

Increased cloud cover resulting from warming temperatures may lead to either either cloud albedo forcing or cloud greenhouse forcing. Cloud albedo forcing is an example of a feedback loop and cloud greenhouse forcing is an example of a feed book loop.

The United States leads the world in per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

As air temperatures increase, evaporation increases, leading to more condensation and cloud formation. Low, thick cloud cover increases the albedo of the atmosphere, thereby having a cooling effect on Earth. This is an example of a

The majority of human population growth is now occurring in

During the last century, sea level

A lower ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ocean sediment cores indicates a climate, whereas a higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio indicates a climate.

Which of the following is not an indicator of current climatic warming?

Natural climate forcing is greater than anthropogenic climate forcing.

Which of the following accurately describes ¹³C/¹²C ratios of plant materials and their use in climate reconstructions?

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), warming of the climate system is unequivocal.

The exoskeletons of marine microorganisms provide a valuable clue of past climatic conditions.

A lower ¹⁸O /¹⁶O ratio in ocean core sediments is indicative of warmer temperatures, whereas a lower ¹⁸O /¹⁶O ratio in ice cores is indicative of cooler temperatures.

A lower ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ice core indicates a climate, whereas a higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio indicates a climate.

The three key elements of climate change science include the following except

In which of the following ways is the study of tree rings, speleothems, and corals for understanding past climatic conditions similar?

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

Climate change science is an integral part of physical geography and Earth system science.

The ¹⁶O evaporates ________ easily than ¹⁸O, and condenses ________ easily.

Delaying action on climate change may be dangerous and more costly in the long run.

A higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ocean sediment cores indicates a ________ climate, and a higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ice cores indicates a ________ climate.

Increased cloud cover resulting from warming temperatures may lead to either either cloud albedo forcing or cloud greenhouse forcing. Cloud albedo forcing is an example of a ________ feedback loop and cloud greenhouse forcing is an example of a ________ feed book loop.

The United States leads the world in per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

As air temperatures increase, evaporation increases, leading to more condensation and cloud formation. Low, thick cloud cover increases the albedo of the atmosphere, thereby having a cooling effect on Earth. This is an example of a

The majority of human population growth is now occurring in

During the last century, sea level

A lower ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ocean sediment cores indicates a ________ climate, whereas a higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio indicates a ________ climate.

Which of the following is not an indicator of current climatic warming?

Natural climate forcing is greater than anthropogenic climate forcing.

Which of the following accurately describes ¹³C/¹²C ratios of plant materials and their use in climate reconstructions?

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), warming of the climate system is unequivocal.

The exoskeletons of marine microorganisms provide a valuable clue of past climatic conditions.

A lower ¹⁸O /¹⁶O ratio in ocean core sediments is indicative of warmer temperatures, whereas a lower ¹⁸O /¹⁶O ratio in ice cores is indicative of cooler temperatures.

A lower ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ice core indicates a ________ climate, whereas a higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio indicates a ________ climate.

The three key elements of climate change science include the following except

In which of the following ways is the study of tree rings, speleothems, and corals for understanding past climatic conditions similar?

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

The ¹⁶O evaporates easily than ¹⁸O, and condenses easily.

A higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ocean sediment cores indicates a climate, and a higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ice cores indicates a climate.

Increased cloud cover resulting from warming temperatures may lead to either either cloud albedo forcing or cloud greenhouse forcing. Cloud albedo forcing is an example of a feedback loop and cloud greenhouse forcing is an example of a feed book loop.

A lower ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ocean sediment cores indicates a climate, whereas a higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio indicates a climate.

A lower ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio in ice core indicates a climate, whereas a higher ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio indicates a climate.