Question 1

According to models developed by NOAA,by the end of the 21st Century,global sea level may rise as high as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) 0)2 m. 
B) 0)5 m. 
C) 1)2 m. 
D) 2)0 m.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

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

Which are mineral deposits with caves and caverns?

Accepted Answer

A) Earlywood. 
B) Latewood. 
C) Varves. 
D) Speleothems.

Question 5

The current data indicate that the record high global temperatures of the past two decades correspond to record high atmospheric CO2.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

How have scientists used isotopic analysis to determine that the rise of atmospheric CO2 is mostly from the burning of fossil fuels?

Accepted Answer

A) Since 14C is an unstable isotope,scientists have dated the atmospheric carbon to the period since the Industrial Revolution. 
B) Both coal and oil contain a high proportion of 14C.By analyzing,14C /12C ratios,scientists have been able to determine the source based on this fact. 
C) The low proportions of 13C and 14C within atmospheric CO2 indicates the source is fossil carbon. 
D) 14C concentrations are much higher in urban areas than in rural areas,indicating fossil fuels must have a higher 14C /12C ratio than carbon from other sources.

Question 7

Which of the following correctly lists the climate indicated by a higher 18O/16O ratio in ocean sediment cores and a higher 18O/16O ratio in ice cores?

Accepted Answer

A) Cooler; warmer. 
B) Warmer; cooler. 
C) Cooler; cooler. 
D) Warmer; warmer.

Question 8

GCMs are used to predict specific temperatures in the near and long-term future.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Radiocarbon dating of organic material may provide a climate record for up to how many years before present?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

Based on climate reconstructions,there is ample evidence that climates have fluctuated throughout Earth's long history.Describe some of the mechanisms of these climate fluctuations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Based on climate reconstructions,there is ample evidence...

Question 11

Carbon dioxide (CO2)produced from human activities is amplifying Earth's natural greenhouse effect.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

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.Which best describes this process?

Accepted Answer

A) A positive feedback loop. 
B) A negative feedback loop. 
C) A dynamic equilibrium. 
D) Homeoschedasity.

Question 13

What are general circulation models (GCMs)of the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A) These are pre-computer based models that estimated atmospheric and oceanic circulation and are now being used to study climate change. 
B) These are highly simplistic models that use one or two variables to test the veracity of climate proxies,such as ice core and ocean sediment core samples. 
C) These are based on statistical three-dimensional grids that characterize portions of the atmosphere and ocean in terms of climate-related variables. 
D) These are used to calculate the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere based on data from weather stations located around the globe.

Question 14

Recent temperature increases correspond to a period of increased sunspot activity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Which of the following gases accounts for the largest amount of radiative forcing?

Accepted Answer

A) Carbon dioxide (CO2). 
B) Nitrous oxides (N2O). 
C) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). 
D) Methane (CH4).

Question 16

The rapid warming associated with the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM)likely resulted from which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) Several massive volcanic eruptions. 
B) The sudden die off of photosynthetic organisms and associated increase in atmospheric CO2. 
C) A sudden (geologically speaking)increase in atmospheric carbon. 
D) Decreased surface albedo brought about by Paleocene afforestation.

Question 17

Describe the properties,current atmospheric concentrations,and sources of the primary greenhouse gases contributing to climate change?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the properties,current atmospheric concentrations,and sources of...

Question 18

Which is the term for changes in elliptical orbit of Earth around the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A) Eccentricity. 
B) Obliquity. 
C) Precession. 
D) Inclination.

Question 19

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.

Question 20

Increased atmospheric CO2 may lead to plants in some regions of the world producing more leaves.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 11: Climate Change

According to models developed by NOAA,by the end of the 21st Century,global sea level may rise as high as which of the following?

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

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

Which are mineral deposits with caves and caverns?

The current data indicate that the record high global temperatures of the past two decades correspond to record high atmospheric CO2.

How have scientists used isotopic analysis to determine that the rise of atmospheric CO2 is mostly from the burning of fossil fuels?

Which of the following correctly lists the climate indicated by a higher 18O/16O ratio in ocean sediment cores and a higher 18O/16O ratio in ice cores?

GCMs are used to predict specific temperatures in the near and long-term future.

Radiocarbon dating of organic material may provide a climate record for up to how many years before present?

Based on climate reconstructions,there is ample evidence that climates have fluctuated throughout Earth's long history.Describe some of the mechanisms of these climate fluctuations.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)produced from human activities is amplifying Earth's natural greenhouse effect.

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.Which best describes this process?

What are general circulation models (GCMs) of the atmosphere?

Recent temperature increases correspond to a period of increased sunspot activity.

Which of the following gases accounts for the largest amount of radiative forcing?

The rapid warming associated with the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) likely resulted from which of the following?

Describe the properties,current atmospheric concentrations,and sources of the primary greenhouse gases contributing to climate change?

Which is the term for changes in elliptical orbit of Earth around the Sun?

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

Increased atmospheric CO2 may lead to plants in some regions of the world producing more leaves.