Q&A Hero

Q: Which stable (nonvariable) gas in the atmosphere is inert and unusable in life processes? A) oxygen B) nitrogen C) argon D) carbon dioxide

Q: The percentages of various gases in the atmosphere indicate that the composition of the atmosphere is controlled A) totally by the amount and type of gases given off during volcanic eruptions. B) totally by the composition of comets and meteors that strike Earth. C) to a significant extent by biological processes occurring on Earth. D) exclusively by chemical reactions between sunlight and the gases in the atmosphere.

Q: Temperatures within the stratosphere A) decrease with altitude according to the normal lapse rate. B) remain about the same from the tropopause to the stratopause. C) increase with altitude because of the absorption of ultraviolet radiation. D) decrease with altitude due to radiation losses.

Q: Which is true of the level of C in our atmosphere? A) It is reached 400 ppm in 2013. B) The rate of increase leveled out in 1976. C) The level of C was much higher in 1955 than today. D) The level of C is decreasing at 3.1% per year.

Q: Which is true of the amount of C in our atmosphere? A) C is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere. B) The level of C has been decreasing at the rate of 3.1% per year since 2000. C) The level of C increased at the rate of 1.1% per year from 1990 to 1999. D) The level of C has been much higher during the past 800,000 years than it is now.

Q: Oxygen () is A) a gas which principally originates from volcanic sources. B) a by-product of photosynthesis. C) one of the gases from Earth's earliest atmospheres. D) now measured at 78.084% by volume in the homosphere.

Q: About half of Earth's crust consists of compounds containing A) nitrogen. B) argon. C) carbon dioxide. D) oxygen. E) ozone

Q: Which of the following is true of nitrogen? A) The human body obtains the nitrogen it needs from the air. B) There is very little nitrogen in the atmosphere. C) The nitrogen the human body needs is derived from foodnot the air. D) Nitrogen is a variable gas.

Q: Nitrogen () is A) a key component of life, integrated into our bodies directly from the air. B) cycled through the environment via the activity of bacteria. C) a product of the radioactive decay of a form of potassium in the crust. D) now measured at 20.946% by volume in the homosphere.

Q: The two most abundant gases in the atmosphere are A) water vapor and carbon dioxide. B) nitrogen and water vapor. C) nitrogen and oxygen. D) oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Q: The three stable (i.e., nonvariable) gases in the atmosphere, in order of abundance from most to least, are A) carbon dioxide, argon, oxygen. B) oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon. C) nitrogen, oxygen, argon. D) oxygen, argon, nitrogen.

Q: The ozonosphere is critical to life because it A) affects temperatures. B) absorbs visible light wavelengths. C) absorbs most ultraviolet wavelengths. D) produces the auroras.

Q: Which of the following is true regarding the depletion of ozone in the ozonosphere? A) The depletion is restricted to the arctic and antarctic regions. B) It results from chemical reactions with chlorine derived from CFCs. C) It results from the burning of fossil fuels. D) The notion that ozone is being depleted as a result of human activity has little scientific evidence to support it.

Q: Which of the following lists the correct sequence of gases, from most to least, in terms of percentage within the homosphere? A) nitrogen, argon, oxygen, xenon, carbon dioxide B) nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, trace gases C) oxygen, ozone, nitrogen, PAN, carbon dioxide D) oxygen, nitrogen, neon, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide

Q: How does the ionosphere affect GPS? A) GPS satellites orbit the Earth in the ionosphere. B) GPS ground stations lose contact with geosynchronous satellites orbiting near the poles. C) GPS signals much pass through the ionosphere, whose gases weaken the signal. D) Positively charged ions in the ionosphere speed up the GPS signal, causing signal error.

Q: Which of the following is true of the ionosphere? A) It primarily absorbs harmful infrared wavelengths. B) All radio signals pass through this region virtually unaffected. C) The region principally absorbs gamma rays, X-rays, and interacts with the solar wind. D) It is being depleted through interactions with human-produced chlorofluorocarbons.

Q: The high temperature in the upper thermosphere A) is produced by the absorption of UV radiation. B) is more a measure of sensible temperature than kinetic energy. C) is more a measure of kinetic energy than sensible temperature. D) produces a tremendous amount of heat transfer.

Q: The tropopause altitude is highest ________ because of the ________. A) at the equator; intense heating from the surface B) at the poles; diffuse solar radiation C) during the summer; increased atmospheric pressure D) during the winter; Sun's direct rays hitting the Tropic of Capricorn

Q: The solar constant is measured at A) the outer boundary of the exosphere (32,000 km (20,000 mi)). B) the top of the atmosphere (480 km (300 mi)). C) the top of the stratosphere (50 km (31 mi)). D) the top of the troposphere (12 km (8 mi)). E) Earth's surface at the equator (sea level).

Q: The highest temperatures in the atmosphere occur in the A) troposphere. B) stratosphere. C) mesosphere. D) thermosphere.

Q: The thermopause is located A) between the mesosphere and the thermosphere. B) wherever -90C (-130F) is recorded. C) approximately 480 km (300 mi.) above Earth's surface. D) at the bottom of the homosphere.

Q: The region of the atmosphere that is so evenly mixed that it behaves as if it were a single gas is the A) homosphere. B) heterosphere. C) exosphere. D) thermosphere.

Q: Which of the following is true of gases in the heterosphere? A) The hydrogen, helium, oxygen and nitrogen are well mixed. B) The hydrogen and helium occur at the top of the heterosphere, and the nitrogen and oxygen at the bottom. C) The nitrogen and oxygen occur at the top of the heterosphere and the hydrogen and helium at the bottom. D) Nitrogen occurs at the top, followedin descending orderby helium, oxygen and hydrogen.

Q: The heterosphere is the layer of the atmosphere in which the gases are ________ because of ________. A) well mixed; thermal motions (i.e., convection) B) well mixed; the influence of gravity which causes gases of different weight to diffuse randomly C) poorly mixed; thermal motions (i.e., convection) D) poorly mixed; the influence of gravity which causes gases of different weight to separate into layers

Q: The outermost region of the atmosphere, based on composition, is the A) homosphere. B) heterosphere. C) troposphere. D) thermosphere.

Q: Half of the total mass of Earth's atmosphere lies below an elevation of ________ meters. A) 14,000 B) 11,000 C) 8300 D) 5500

Q: At sea level, the pressure of the atmosphere is about ________ kg/cm2, or ________ ln/in2. A) 1.0; 14.7 B) 2.6; 9.4 C) 8.2; 3.3 D) 6.7; 19.9

Q: The thermosphere closely corresponds to A) the ionosphere. B) the heterosphere. C) the homosphere. D) the exosphere. E) both the ionosphere and the heterosphere.

Q: Based on the image, which of the following must be true? A) Hydrogen has a higher atomic weight than oxygen. B) The ozonosphere stretches from the Earth's surface to approximately 50 km (30 mi.). C) All but 0.001 percent of the atmosphere is accounted for within the troposphere. D) The ozonosphere corresponds with the stratosphere.

Q: Based on function, the atmosphere has A) five regions beginning with the outermost thermosphere. B) two functional areas that absorb radiation from the Sun. C) one continuous region. D) the troposphere and the stratosphere.

Q: Based on temperature, the atmosphere is divided into A) four regions: ranging from the troposphere to the thermosphere. B) two broad regions. C) two functional areas that absorb radiation from the Sun. D) nitrogen, oxygen, argon.

Q: Based on composition, the atmosphere is divided into A) one continuous region. B) two broad classifications: homosphere and heterosphere. C) two functional areas that absorb radiation from the Sun. D) the troposphere and the stratosphere.

Q: Three criteria used for classification of the atmosphere explained in the text are A) structure, origin, temperature. B) structure, origin, evolution. C) composition, origin, evolution. D) composition, temperature, and function.

Q: Which of the following is true about the Earth's atmosphere? A) It allows gamma rays and X-rays reach the surface. B) The ozonosphere and ionosphere shield the surface from harmful radiation. C) Variable gases are the dominant gases in the atmosphere. D) It is denser at higher altitudes.

Q: Which is not true of Earth's atmosphere? A) It is the sum of all the exhalations and inhalations of life on Earth. B) We consider the top of the atmosphere to be 32,000 km (20,000 mi.) from Earth. C) It protects us from deadly UV radiation, yet lets light through. D) Its temperatures range from -90C (-130F) degrees to 1200C (2200F). E) The principle substance is air, a mixture of many gases that behaves like a single gas.

Q: The top of the Earth's atmosphere is approximately A) 3,200 km (1,988 mi) above the Earth's surface. B) 480 km (300 mi) above the Earth's surface. C) 2,000 km (1,243 mi) above the Earth's surface. D) 1,000 km (621 mi) above the Earth's surface.

Q: Which atmospheric zone supports the biosphere and is the region of principle weather activity? A) thermosphere B) mesosphere C) stratosphere D) troposphere

Q: Air consists of A) a mixture of gases that behaves as if it were a single gas. B) gases that are not well mixed. C) oxygen only. D) mostly carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Q: On June 21st, the Sun's declination is at A) the equator. B) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Alice Springs, Australia. C) the Tropic of Capricorn. D) the Tropic of Cancer.

Q: Which of the following is true regarding dawn and twilight? A) Dawn and twilight last longest at the equatorapproximately 2.5 hours. B) The polar regions do not experience dawn and twilight. C) 60 north and south latitudes receive the most dawn and twilight. D) The duration of both increases with increasing latitude.

Q: The Tropic of Capricorn refers to A) that parallel that is 23.5 south latitude. B) the location of the subsolar point on September 22. C) the parallel that is the farthest northern location for the subsolar point during the year. D) that parallel that is 66.5 south latitude.

Q: The equinox A) occurs four times during the year. B) has 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night for all locations. C) is the longest day of the year at any given place. D) is when the subsolar point is at one of the tropics.

Q: Which of the following statements is true? A) The Northern Hemisphere vernal equinox is the Southern Hemispheres Autumnal Equinox. B) The Northern Hemisphere vernal equinox is also the Southern Hemispheres Vernal Equinox. C) The Northern Hemisphere vernal equinox is the Southern Hemispheres Winter Solstice. D) The Northern Hemisphere vernal equinox is the Southern Hemispheres Summer Solstice.

Q: On Earth, the Sun passes directly overhead at 25 north latitude ________ times a year. A) 0 B) 1 C) 2 D) 4

Q: Which of the following is true of the March equinox? A) Moving south of the equator, the daylen gth increases, while moving north of the equator the daylength decreases. B) The suns direct rays strike perpendicular at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 S). C) At all latitudes between the poles, day and night are of equal length. D) In the Southern Hemisphere, it is known as the vernal equinox.

Q: Which of the following is true of the September equinox? A) All latitudes on Earth, except the Equator, experience unequal daylengths. B) The subsolar point is at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5 N). C) The sun rises at the South Pole, where it will remain over the horizon for the following six months. D) The Northern Hemisphere spring officially begins. E) The subsolar point is at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 S).

Q: Which of the following is true of Quito, Ecuador (0 15' N, 78 35' S)? A) Quito experiences days and nights of equal lengths throughout the year. B) During the June Solstice, Quito experiences 24 hours of darkness because it is completely outside of the circle of illumination. C) At noon on June 21st, the sun is directly overhead in Quito. D) Quito is at a latitude that is never the subsolar point.

Q: On approximately which dates is the subsolar point 16 S? A) March 30 and September 15 B) February 5 and November 5 C) April 25 and August 20 D) May 5 and August 10

Q: Which of the following is true for the September Equinox? A) There is 24 hours of daylight at the North Pole. B) The Arctic Circle is completely within the circle of illumination. C) The Antarctic Circle is completely within the circle of illumination. D) The circle of illumination passes through both the poles. E) There is 24 hours of daylight at the South Pole.

Q: Which of the following is true for the March Equinox? A) The subsolar point is at the equator. B) The subsolar point is at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5 N). C) The subsolar point is at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 S). D) The subsolar point is at the Prime Meridian.

Q: Which of the following is true for the December Solstice? A) The subsolar point is at the equator. B) The Arctic Circle is completely within the circle of illumination. C) The Antarctic Circle is completely within the circle of illumination. D) The subsolar point is at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5 N).

Q: Which of the following is not true regarding rotational velocities at different latitudes? A) At 90 latitude, the rotational velocity is 1452 kmph (902 mph). B) At 0 latitude, the rotational velocity is 1675 kmph (1040 mph). C) At 60 latitude, the rotational velocity is 838 kmph (521 mph). D) At 30 latitude, the rotational velocity is 1452 kmph (902 mph).

Q: Which of the following is true regarding Earth's axis? A) The amount of axial tilt fluctuates during the year and forms the basis for seasonal changes. B) The axis remains parallel to the plane of the ecliptic. C) Axial tilt is unrelated to the phenomenon of seasonal change. D) The axis is tilted 23.5 from a perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic.

Q: Earth's rotation is described as A) east to west. B) north to south. C) west to east. D) clockwise when viewed from above the North Pole.

Q: Which of the following cannot be attributed to the effects of Earth's rotation? A) daylength B) deflection of the winds C) deflection of the ocean currents D) rise and fall of tides E) latitudinal variations in net radiation

Q: Which of the following characterizes Earth's revolution? A) It takes approximately 24 hours. B) It is responsible for creating the circle of illumination, and hence, day/night relationships. C) It is clockwise when viewed from above the North Pole. D) It determines the timing of seasons and length of the year.

Q: Which of the following is true regarding daylength? A) The equator experiences at least six-hours difference in daylength from winter to summer. B) Nowhere on Earth does daylength vary by as much as 24 hours. C) Daylength varies more at the equator than at higher latitudes. D) The people living at 40 N or S latitude experience about six-hours difference in daylength from winter to summer.

Q: Which of the following is true of the number of hours of daylight? A) The number of hours of daylight includes the hours between dawn and twilight, not just the hours from sunrise to sunset. B) The number of hours of daylight varies depending on the latitude of the observer. C) The number of hours of daylight varies the most along the equator. D) The number of hours of daylight varies the least at higher latitudes.

Q: The sun's declination migrates through ________ of latitude annually. A) 23.5 B) 30 C) 47 D) 66.5 E) 133

Q: The Sun's declination refers to A) the latitude of the subsolar point. B) the angular height of the Sun above the horizon. C) how far the Sun is from Earth. D) its altitude, in thousands of feet, above the horizon.

Q: The Sun's altitude refers to A) the angular distance from the equator to the latitude at which direct overhead insolation is received. B) the angular height of the Sun above the horizon. C) the subsolar point. D) how far the Sun is from Earth.

Q: Which of the following is not true? A) The Earth's axis is titled 23.5 relative to the plane of the ecliptic. B) The axis through Earth's two poles points just slightly off Polaris. C) During the winter months, the Earth's axis is aligned towards Southern Cross. D) Throughout the year, the Earth's axis maintains the same alignment relative to the plane of the ecliptic.

Q: At all times during the year, the circle of illumination A) divides Earth between northern and southern hemispheres. B) divides Earth into eastern and western halves. C) separates winter from summer. D) divides Earth between equal halves of lightness and darkness.

Q: Changes in daylength and the Sun's altitude above the horizon over the course of the year A) produce Earth's rotation. B) are phenomena that occur only at the equator. C) are responsible for the seasons. D) are factors that follow an irregular, random cycle.

Q: The term "net radiation" refers to A) the total amount of energy received by Earth. B) the total amount of energy radiated by Earth. C) the difference in amount of incoming and outgoing radiation. D) radiation emitted by satellite networks.

Q: The southern hemisphere's summer solstice occurs A) at the same time as the northern hemisphere's summer solstice. B) on or around June 21. C) on or around December 21. D) during the northern hemisphere's equinox.

Q: Which of the following is correct regarding daylength? A) Daylength is uniform at all latitudes throughout the years. B) People living at the equator experience 6 hours difference in daylength between the summer and winter. C) The equator always receives equal hours of day and night. D) The range of daylength is shortest in the polar regions.

Q: The ________ emits mainly ________ which is also called ________. A) Sun; longwave radiation; infrared B) Sun; shortwave radiation; radio waves C) Earth; longwave radiation; infrared D) Earth; shortwave radiation; infrared E) Earth; longwave radiation; ultraviolet

Q: Radio waves have a ________ wavelength than visible light and are therefore ________ energetic. A) longer; less B) longer; more C) shorter; less D) shorter; more

Q: The uneven distribution of insolation by latitude is primarily a result of A) variability in the Sun's output. B) the changing distance of Earth from the Sun. C) variation in the value of a watt. D) Earth's curvature, which presents varied angles to parallel solar rays.

Q: Which of the following is true relative to insolation at the thermopause relative to latitude? A) Annually, insolation is evenly distributed with little change by latitude. B) Annually, lower latitudes receive more insolation than the high latitudes. C) Annually, higher latitudes receive more insolation than lower latitudes. D) Insolation can only be measured longitudinally, not latitudinally.

Q: The solar constant is measured at A) the Sun's surface. B) the edge of the Sun's atmosphere. C) the thermopause. D) sea level.

Q: The average insolation received by the thermopause when the Earth is at its average distance from the sun is known as the A) solar constant. B) solar wind input to the atmosphere. C) energy balance. D) incoming solar radiation.

Q: Intercepted solar radiation is called A) solar wind. B) thermosphere. C) solar constant. D) insolation.

Q: The thermopause refers to A) Earth's magnetic field. B) the solar atmosphere that extends into space. C) the top of Earth's atmosphere. D) the Sun's surface.

Q: Which of the following sequences is arranged in order from shorter wavelength to longer wavelength? A) infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays B) X-rays, ultraviolet, visible, infrared C) gamma rays, microwaves, visible, X-rays D) radio waves, light, heat, X-rays

Q: The dominant wavelength emitted by Earth is A) gamma radiation. B) X-ray radiation. C) visible light. D) infrared.

Q: The two main portions of the solar spectrum which enter the atmosphere are A) X-rays and visible light. B) visible and infrared energy. C) infrared and gamma rays. D) ultraviolet and visible light.

Q: Which of the following is true? A) The Sun emits longwave radiation, whereas the Earth emits shortwave radiation. B) The Sun emits shortwave radiation, whereas the Earth emits longwave radiation. C) The radiation emitted by the Sun and the are roughly the same wavelength. D) Because the Sun is so far away, it is impossible to measure the wavelengths of its radiation.

Q: Which of the following is true of the Sun's electromagnetic spectrum? A) It consists exclusively of radiant energy made of gamma ray, X-ray, and ultraviolet wavelengths. B) It consists exclusively of streams of charged particles. C) It consists of gamma ray, X-ray, ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths. D) It consists exclusively of visible light and infrared energy.