Question 1

Worldwide retreat of mountain glaciers has not been documented to date.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 2

There is a significant positive correlation between sunspot activity and recent changes in mean global temperature.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

What is the difference between weather and climate? For example, if it rains in a particular location during the day, does that mean that the area has a wet climate? Explain.

Accepted Answer

Weather and climate are related but distinct concepts that often get confused. Here's the difference:

Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific place at a specific time. It includes phenomena like rain, sunshine, wind, snow, temperature, humidity, and storms. Weather can change from minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day, and season to season. It is what you experience when you step outside on any given day.

Climate, on the other hand, refers to the long-term patterns of weather in a particular area. It is the average of weather over a period of time (typically 30 years or more) and includes the statistics of weather extremes and events. Climate gives you a sense of what weather to expect in a location over the long haul. It encompasses the range of possible weather conditions, the frequency of different weather events, and the averages.

So, if it rains in a particular location during the day, that is a statement about the weather, not the climate. A single rainy day does not indicate a wet climate. However, if that location experiences a pattern of frequent rainfall over many years, then it would be characterized as having a wet climate.

In summary, weather is what you get in the short term, and climate is what you expect over the long term. Understanding the difference is crucial for everything from planning your daily activities to making informed decisions about agriculture, infrastructure, and addressing climate change.

Question 4

Changes occur in the Earth's climate due to changes in the relative position of the Earth's tectonic plates.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Variations in Earth's orbit that influence long-term climate changes include:

Accepted Answer

A) the shape of Earth's orbit (eccentricity). 
B) the tilt of Earth's axis of rotation (obliquity). 
C) the wobbling of Earth's axis of rotation (precession). 
D) All of the above are correct. 
E) None of the above is correct. 
A) the shape of Earth's orbit (eccentricity). 
B) the tilt of Earth's axis of rotation (obliquity). 
C) the wobbling of Earth's axis of rotation (precession). 
D) All of the above are correct. 
E) None of the above is correct.

Question 6

Satellite data show that the rate of global sea level rise since 1993 is on average about:

Accepted Answer

A) 0)5 inches/year. 
B) 0)3 feet/year. 
C) 3 millimeters/year. 
D) 0)3 meters/year. 
E) 0)006 kilometers/year. 
A) 0)5 inches/year. 
B) 0)3 feet/year. 
C) 3 millimeters/year. 
D) 0)3 meters/year. 
E) 0)006 kilometers/year.

Question 7

Earth has a natural greenhouse effect, principally due to water vapor.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Match the term or phrase with the best descriptor. Use each answer once, more than once, or not at all.
-Mount Pinatubo, Philippines

Accepted Answer

A) movement of Earth's tectonic plates 
B) volcanic eruptions 
C) combustion of fossil fuels 
D) refrigerants 
E) changes in solar energy
F)variations in Earth's orbit
G)agriculture 
A) movement of Earth's tectonic plates 
B) volcanic eruptions 
C) combustion of fossil fuels 
D) refrigerants 
E) changes in solar energy
F)variations in Earth's orbit
G)agriculture

Question 9

Domestic cattle production and rice agriculture release relatively large amounts of which gas into the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A) carbon dioxide (CO₂) 
B) chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 
C) methane (CH₄) 
D) ozone (O₃) 
E) water vapor (H₂O) 
A) carbon dioxide (CO₂) 
B) chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 
C) methane (CH₄) 
D) ozone (O₃) 
E) water vapor (H₂O)

Question 10

Greenhouse gases are compounds in the Earth's atmosphere that dissipate heat.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Feedback loops are the interactions among the Earth's five spheres that either amplify or diminish changes in climate.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Dissolved carbon dioxide and pH in the oceans are inversely related.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Match the term or phrase with the best descriptor. Use each answer once, more than once, or not at all.
-fossil fuels

Accepted Answer

A) study of ancient rocks 
B) methane and nitrous oxide 
C) model of heat exchange for Earth and atmosphere 
D) oil and natural gas 
E) process that influences the temperature of Earth's surface and atmosphere
F)voluntary international accord to limit greenhouse gas emissions
G)UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
H)study of ancient climates
I)Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 
A) study of ancient rocks 
B) methane and nitrous oxide 
C) model of heat exchange for Earth and atmosphere 
D) oil and natural gas 
E) process that influences the temperature of Earth's surface and atmosphere
F)voluntary international accord to limit greenhouse gas emissions
G)UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
H)study of ancient climates
I)Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Question 14

The zone ocean where sound can travel extremely long distances is called the:

Accepted Answer

A) pycnocline. 
B) SOFAR channel. 
C) SONAR channel. 
D) surface mix layer. 
E) thermocline. 
A) pycnocline. 
B) SOFAR channel. 
C) SONAR channel. 
D) surface mix layer. 
E) thermocline.

Question 15

The gas(es)that has/have the greatest relative contribution to increasing the greenhouse effect is/are:

Accepted Answer

A) carbon dioxide (CO₂). 
B) chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). 
C) methane (CH₄). 
D) nitrous oxide (N₂O). 
E) ozone (O₃). 
A) carbon dioxide (CO₂). 
B) chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). 
C) methane (CH₄). 
D) nitrous oxide (N₂O). 
E) ozone (O₃).

Question 16

Melting ice on land and thermal expansion of water are two of the most important factors causing sea level rise.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Match the term or phrase with the best descriptor. Use each answer once, more than once, or not at all.
-Kyoto Protocol

Accepted Answer

A) study of ancient rocks 
B) methane and nitrous oxide 
C) model of heat exchange for Earth and atmosphere 
D) oil and natural gas 
E) process that influences the temperature of Earth's surface and atmosphere
F)voluntary international accord to limit greenhouse gas emissions
G)UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
H)study of ancient climates
I)Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 
A) study of ancient rocks 
B) methane and nitrous oxide 
C) model of heat exchange for Earth and atmosphere 
D) oil and natural gas 
E) process that influences the temperature of Earth's surface and atmosphere
F)voluntary international accord to limit greenhouse gas emissions
G)UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
H)study of ancient climates
I)Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Question 18

A reduction in the strength of the Gulf Stream and a decrease in North Atlantic Deep-water formation would most likely result in:

Accepted Answer

A) a cooling of the climate in northern Europe. 
B) a decrease in precipitation over France, Spain, and Portugal. 
C) an increase in North Sea storm intensity. 
D) longer and hotter summers in southern Europe. 
E) shorter and warmer winters in central Europe. 
A) a cooling of the climate in northern Europe. 
B) a decrease in precipitation over France, Spain, and Portugal. 
C) an increase in North Sea storm intensity. 
D) longer and hotter summers in southern Europe. 
E) shorter and warmer winters in central Europe.

Question 19

The atmospheric component that naturally contributes to the majority of greenhouse warming on Earth is:

Accepted Answer

A) carbon dioxide. 
B) methane. 
C) nitrous oxide. 
D) ozone. 
E) water vapor. 
A) carbon dioxide. 
B) methane. 
C) nitrous oxide. 
D) ozone. 
E) water vapor.

Question 20

Briefly describe the observed changes in the world's oceans as a function of increased mean atmospheric temperature.

Accepted Answer

As the mean atmospheric temperature incr

Worldwide retreat of mountain glaciers has not been documented to date.

There is a significant positive correlation between sunspot activity and recent changes in mean global temperature.

What is the difference between weather and climate? For example, if it rains in a particular location during the day, does that mean that the area has a wet climate? Explain.

Changes occur in the Earth's climate due to changes in the relative position of the Earth's tectonic plates.

Variations in Earth's orbit that influence long-term climate changes include:

Satellite data show that the rate of global sea level rise since 1993 is on average about:

Earth has a natural greenhouse effect, principally due to water vapor.

Match the term or phrase with the best descriptor. Use each answer once, more than once, or not at all. -Mount Pinatubo, Philippines

Domestic cattle production and rice agriculture release relatively large amounts of which gas into the atmosphere?

Greenhouse gases are compounds in the Earth's atmosphere that dissipate heat.

Feedback loops are the interactions among the Earth's five spheres that either amplify or diminish changes in climate.

Dissolved carbon dioxide and pH in the oceans are inversely related.

Match the term or phrase with the best descriptor. Use each answer once, more than once, or not at all. -fossil fuels

The zone ocean where sound can travel extremely long distances is called the:

The gas(es)that has/have the greatest relative contribution to increasing the greenhouse effect is/are:

Melting ice on land and thermal expansion of water are two of the most important factors causing sea level rise.

Match the term or phrase with the best descriptor. Use each answer once, more than once, or not at all. -Kyoto Protocol

A reduction in the strength of the Gulf Stream and a decrease in North Atlantic Deep-water formation would most likely result in:

The atmospheric component that naturally contributes to the majority of greenhouse warming on Earth is:

Briefly describe the observed changes in the world's oceans as a function of increased mean atmospheric temperature.

Introduction to Planet Earth

Plate Tectonics and the Ocean Floor

Marine Provinces

Marine Sediments

Water and Seawater

Air-Sea Interaction

Ocean Circulation

Waves and Water Dynamics

Tides

The Coast: Beaches and Shoreline Processes

The Coastal Ocean

Marine Life and the Marine Environment

Biological Productivity and Energy Transfer

Animals of the Pelagic Environment

Animals of the Benthic Environment

Filters

Exam 16: The Oceans and Climate Change

Worldwide retreat of mountain glaciers has not been documented to date.

There is a significant positive correlation between sunspot activity and recent changes in mean global temperature.

What is the difference between weather and climate? For example, if it rains in a particular location during the day, does that mean that the area has a wet climate? Explain.

Changes occur in the Earth's climate due to changes in the relative position of the Earth's tectonic plates.

Variations in Earth's orbit that influence long-term climate changes include:

Satellite data show that the rate of global sea level rise since 1993 is on average about:

Earth has a natural greenhouse effect, principally due to water vapor.

Match the term or phrase with the best descriptor. Use each answer once, more than once, or not at all. -Mount Pinatubo, Philippines

Domestic cattle production and rice agriculture release relatively large amounts of which gas into the atmosphere?

Greenhouse gases are compounds in the Earth's atmosphere that dissipate heat.

Feedback loops are the interactions among the Earth's five spheres that either amplify or diminish changes in climate.

Dissolved carbon dioxide and pH in the oceans are inversely related.

Match the term or phrase with the best descriptor. Use each answer once, more than once, or not at all. -fossil fuels

The zone ocean where sound can travel extremely long distances is called the:

The gas(es)that has/have the greatest relative contribution to increasing the greenhouse effect is/are:

Melting ice on land and thermal expansion of water are two of the most important factors causing sea level rise.

Match the term or phrase with the best descriptor. Use each answer once, more than once, or not at all. -Kyoto Protocol

A reduction in the strength of the Gulf Stream and a decrease in North Atlantic Deep-water formation would most likely result in:

The atmospheric component that naturally contributes to the majority of greenhouse warming on Earth is:

Briefly describe the observed changes in the world's oceans as a function of increased mean atmospheric temperature.

Introduction to Planet Earth

Plate Tectonics and the Ocean Floor

Marine Provinces

Marine Sediments

Water and Seawater

Air-Sea Interaction

Ocean Circulation

Waves and Water Dynamics

Tides

The Coast: Beaches and Shoreline Processes

The Coastal Ocean

Marine Life and the Marine Environment

Biological Productivity and Energy Transfer

Animals of the Pelagic Environment

Animals of the Benthic Environment

Filters