Question 1

Which of the following describes infrared (IR)radiation?

Accepted Answer

A) IR radiation has a longer wavelength than visible light. 
B) IR radiation has a shorter wavelength than visible light. 
C) IR radiation can be transmitted through glass. 
D) IR radiation is absorbed by ozone. 
E) none of the above 
A) IR radiation has a longer wavelength than visible light. 
B) IR radiation has a shorter wavelength than visible light. 
C) IR radiation can be transmitted through glass. 
D) IR radiation is absorbed by ozone. 
E) none of the above

Question 2

Water consumption from all aquifers, on average, is less than the amount of water returned to the aquifer by natural processes. Why should we worry about water use?

Accepted Answer

A) The average amount does not reflect that drier areas have a harder time refilling the aquifers. 
B) Because the water returned is contaminated. 
C) The average amount does not take into account the water consumed during photosynthesis to make carbohydrates. 
D) Water is nothing to worry about. 
E) none of the above 
A) The average amount does not reflect that drier areas have a harder time refilling the aquifers. 
B) Because the water returned is contaminated. 
C) The average amount does not take into account the water consumed during photosynthesis to make carbohydrates. 
D) Water is nothing to worry about. 
E) none of the above

Question 3

We can understand how pressure in water depends on depth by considering a stack of bricks. The pressure at the bottom of the first brick corresponds to the weight of the entire stack. Halfway up the stack, the pressure is half because the weight of the bricks above is half. To explain atmospheric pressure, we should consider a similar scenario but with compressible bricks made from a material like foam rubber. Why?

Accepted Answer

A) Water is not very compressible, but air is. 
B) There is a lot more space between the molecules in air than there is between the molecules of liquid water. 
C) The density of air decreases as one comes down a mountain. 
D) all of the above 
A) Water is not very compressible, but air is. 
B) There is a lot more space between the molecules in air than there is between the molecules of liquid water. 
C) The density of air decreases as one comes down a mountain. 
D) all of the above

Question 4

In your travels through space, if you were to encounter a planet that was very large but had no atmosphere, what might have happened?

Accepted Answer

A) The planet's atmosphere escaped into space because the force of gravity was too low. 
B) The planet's atmosphere escaped because it was heated too hot and boiled into space. 
C) The atmosphere never formed because there was not enough heat energy available. 
D) Only planets with life have an atmosphere. 
E) none of the above 
A) The planet's atmosphere escaped into space because the force of gravity was too low. 
B) The planet's atmosphere escaped because it was heated too hot and boiled into space. 
C) The atmosphere never formed because there was not enough heat energy available. 
D) Only planets with life have an atmosphere. 
E) none of the above

Question 5

What makes particulates problematic?

Accepted Answer

A) They do not settle and stay in the atmosphere for a long time. 
B) They act as little chemical reaction sites. 
C) They block sunlight and obscure visibility. 
D) all of the above 
E) only a and b 
A) They do not settle and stay in the atmosphere for a long time. 
B) They act as little chemical reaction sites. 
C) They block sunlight and obscure visibility. 
D) all of the above 
E) only a and b

Question 6

How might a water pump be used in the treatment of a small pond affected by eutrophication? What should be done to the pond before the pump is used?

Accepted Answer

A) The water could be sprayed into the air, but first the aquatic life should be treated for diseases. 
B) The water could be circulated to help dissolve the algal bloom, but first the source of eutrophication should be identified and stopped. 
C) The water could be sprayed into the air, but first the source of eutrophication should be identified and stopped. 
D) The water could be circulated to help dissolve the algal bloom, but first the aquatic life should be treated for diseases. 
A) The water could be sprayed into the air, but first the aquatic life should be treated for diseases. 
B) The water could be circulated to help dissolve the algal bloom, but first the source of eutrophication should be identified and stopped. 
C) The water could be sprayed into the air, but first the source of eutrophication should be identified and stopped. 
D) The water could be circulated to help dissolve the algal bloom, but first the aquatic life should be treated for diseases.

Question 7

Groundwater can be contaminated by bacteria and other pathogens that seep from septic tanks, broken sewer lines, and barnyard wastes. In many instances, however, this is not a serious health problem even in the presence of a large population. Why?

Accepted Answer

A) Without sunlight, the pathogens generally die out. 
B) Most municipalities have alert systems to warn people of an outbreak. 
C) The soil itself may serve to filter out the pathogens. 
D) The diseases spread by these pathogens are not typically contagious. 
A) Without sunlight, the pathogens generally die out. 
B) Most municipalities have alert systems to warn people of an outbreak. 
C) The soil itself may serve to filter out the pathogens. 
D) The diseases spread by these pathogens are not typically contagious.

Question 8

Why are there few odors emanating from a properly managed composting toilet?

Accepted Answer

A) Tight seals prevent the escape of odors. 
B) Odors are absorbed by a layer of water. 
C) Decomposition is aerobic. 
D) The ventilation system steers odors through a carbon filter. 
A) Tight seals prevent the escape of odors. 
B) Odors are absorbed by a layer of water. 
C) Decomposition is aerobic. 
D) The ventilation system steers odors through a carbon filter.

Question 9

Aerosols have a global ________.

Accepted Answer

A) cooling effect while particulates have a global warming effect 
B) cooling effect as do particulates 
C) warming effect while particulates have a global cooling effect 
D) warming effect as do particulates 
A) cooling effect while particulates have a global warming effect 
B) cooling effect as do particulates 
C) warming effect while particulates have a global cooling effect 
D) warming effect as do particulates

Question 10

How would you describe the average daily consumption of water by the U.S. population at large in the past 20 years?

Accepted Answer

A) It has decreased due to reduction in industrial use. 
B) It has decreased due to improvements in agricultural use. 
C) It has decreased due to decreasing population. 
D) It has increased. 
A) It has decreased due to reduction in industrial use. 
B) It has decreased due to improvements in agricultural use. 
C) It has decreased due to decreasing population. 
D) It has increased.

Question 11

What are the two biggest sources of water consumption in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

A) energy production and irrigation 
B) irrigation and livestock 
C) irrigation and domestic use 
D) industrial use and domestic use 
E) none of the above 
A) energy production and irrigation 
B) irrigation and livestock 
C) irrigation and domestic use 
D) industrial use and domestic use 
E) none of the above

Question 12

What is meant by air pollution?

Accepted Answer

A) any material that is harmful to health 
B) any material that is not found in nature 
C) any man-made compound released into the atmosphere 
D) all of the above 
E) none of the above 
A) any material that is harmful to health 
B) any material that is not found in nature 
C) any man-made compound released into the atmosphere 
D) all of the above 
E) none of the above

Question 13

Which of the following statements about natural waters is untrue?

Accepted Answer

A) The microorganisms in fresh water are harmful. 
B) Microorganisms help replenish the nutrients in the water. 
C) Aerobic bacteria only decompose organic matter in the presence of oxygen. 
D) all of the above 
E) only a and b 
A) The microorganisms in fresh water are harmful. 
B) Microorganisms help replenish the nutrients in the water. 
C) Aerobic bacteria only decompose organic matter in the presence of oxygen. 
D) all of the above 
E) only a and b

Question 14

Where does the sulfur in fossil fuels come from?

Accepted Answer

A) the decomposed proteins of ancient plants 
B) the S in foSSils 
C) elemental sulfur in ore deposits 
D) sulfate ions in water sources 
E) all of the above 
A) the decomposed proteins of ancient plants 
B) the S in foSSils 
C) elemental sulfur in ore deposits 
D) sulfate ions in water sources 
E) all of the above

Question 15

Is the decomposition of food by bacteria in our digestive systems aerobic or anaerobic?

Accepted Answer

A) Aerobic because of all the oxygen we inhale. 
B) Anaerobic because very little air gets to our intestines. 
C) Aerobic as evidenced by all the air that gets generated in our intestines. 
D) Anaerobic as we generally rest after a good meal. 
A) Aerobic because of all the oxygen we inhale. 
B) Anaerobic because very little air gets to our intestines. 
C) Aerobic as evidenced by all the air that gets generated in our intestines. 
D) Anaerobic as we generally rest after a good meal.

Question 16

In a still room, cigar smoke sometimes rises only partway to the ceiling because ________.

Accepted Answer

A) it loses momentum 
B) it encounters warm air 
C) of the weight of the particles that make up the smoke 
D) it encounters cool air 
A) it loses momentum 
B) it encounters warm air 
C) of the weight of the particles that make up the smoke 
D) it encounters cool air

Question 17

Where does most rainfall on the earth finally end up before becoming rain again?

Accepted Answer

A) groundwater 
B) lakes and rivers 
C) snow caps and glaciers 
D) the oceans 
A) groundwater 
B) lakes and rivers 
C) snow caps and glaciers 
D) the oceans

Question 18

Where is most of the fresh water on the earth stored?

Accepted Answer

A) the oceans 
B) the ice caps 
C) underground 
D) in lakes and streams 
E) in the atmosphere 
A) the oceans 
B) the ice caps 
C) underground 
D) in lakes and streams 
E) in the atmosphere

Question 19

Which of the following effects can be observed most readily when removing extensive amounts of water from an aquifer?

Accepted Answer

A) The land above the aquifer subsides. 
B) The land above the aquifer becomes more fertile. 
C) The land expands because the voids in the soil fill with air. 
D) The water content of the soil increases. 
E) none of the above 
A) The land above the aquifer subsides. 
B) The land above the aquifer becomes more fertile. 
C) The land expands because the voids in the soil fill with air. 
D) The water content of the soil increases. 
E) none of the above

Question 20

What is the brown-colored component of smog?

Accepted Answer

A) H2SO4 
B) O2 
C) NO2 
D) O3 
E) c and d 
A) H2SO4 
B) O2 
C) NO2 
D) O3 
E) c and d

Which of the following describes infrared (IR)radiation?

Water consumption from all aquifers, on average, is less than the amount of water returned to the aquifer by natural processes. Why should we worry about water use?

In your travels through space, if you were to encounter a planet that was very large but had no atmosphere, what might have happened?

What makes particulates problematic?

How might a water pump be used in the treatment of a small pond affected by eutrophication? What should be done to the pond before the pump is used?

Groundwater can be contaminated by bacteria and other pathogens that seep from septic tanks, broken sewer lines, and barnyard wastes. In many instances, however, this is not a serious health problem even in the presence of a large population. Why?

Why are there few odors emanating from a properly managed composting toilet?

Aerosols have a global ________.

How would you describe the average daily consumption of water by the U.S. population at large in the past 20 years?

What are the two biggest sources of water consumption in the U.S.?

What is meant by air pollution?

Which of the following statements about natural waters is untrue?

Where does the sulfur in fossil fuels come from?

Is the decomposition of food by bacteria in our digestive systems aerobic or anaerobic?

In a still room, cigar smoke sometimes rises only partway to the ceiling because ________.

Where does most rainfall on the earth finally end up before becoming rain again?

Where is most of the fresh water on the earth stored?

Which of the following effects can be observed most readily when removing extensive amounts of water from an aquifer?

What is the brown-colored component of smog?

About Science

Particles of Matter

Elements of Chemistry

Subatomic Particles

The Atomic Nucleus

How Atoms Bond

How Molecules Mix

How Water Behaves

How Chemicals React

Acids and Bases in Our Environment

Oxidations and Reductions Charge the World

Organic Compounds

Nutrients of Life

Medicinal Chemistry

Optimizing Food Production

Capturing Energy

Filters

Exam 16: Protection Water and Air Resources

Which of the following describes infrared (IR)radiation?

Water consumption from all aquifers, on average, is less than the amount of water returned to the aquifer by natural processes. Why should we worry about water use?

In your travels through space, if you were to encounter a planet that was very large but had no atmosphere, what might have happened?

What makes particulates problematic?

How might a water pump be used in the treatment of a small pond affected by eutrophication? What should be done to the pond before the pump is used?

Groundwater can be contaminated by bacteria and other pathogens that seep from septic tanks, broken sewer lines, and barnyard wastes. In many instances, however, this is not a serious health problem even in the presence of a large population. Why?

Why are there few odors emanating from a properly managed composting toilet?

Aerosols have a global ________.

How would you describe the average daily consumption of water by the U.S. population at large in the past 20 years?

What are the two biggest sources of water consumption in the U.S.?

What is meant by air pollution?

Which of the following statements about natural waters is untrue?

Where does the sulfur in fossil fuels come from?

Is the decomposition of food by bacteria in our digestive systems aerobic or anaerobic?

In a still room, cigar smoke sometimes rises only partway to the ceiling because ________.

Where does most rainfall on the earth finally end up before becoming rain again?

Where is most of the fresh water on the earth stored?

Which of the following effects can be observed most readily when removing extensive amounts of water from an aquifer?

What is the brown-colored component of smog?

About Science

Particles of Matter

Elements of Chemistry

Subatomic Particles

The Atomic Nucleus

How Atoms Bond

How Molecules Mix

How Water Behaves

How Chemicals React

Acids and Bases in Our Environment

Oxidations and Reductions Charge the World

Organic Compounds

Nutrients of Life

Medicinal Chemistry

Optimizing Food Production

Capturing Energy

Filters