Atmosphere & Weather Factors Practice Test
This is a practice for your test on Friday. This will give you an idea about how much you need to study.
- 1.
Earth's atmosphere is mainly heated by what type of electromagnetic wave?
- A.
Gamma Radiation
- B.
Ultraviolet Radiation
- C.
Infrared Radiation
- D.
Visible Light
Correct Answer
C. Infrared RadiationExplanation
Infrared radiation is the correct answer because it is a type of electromagnetic wave that has longer wavelengths than visible light. These longer wavelengths allow it to penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and transfer heat to the air molecules. Infrared radiation is responsible for heating the atmosphere and plays a crucial role in Earth's climate system.Rate this question:
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- 2.
What is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere?
- A.
Oxygen
- B.
Nitrogen
- C.
Carbon Dioxide
- D.
Water Vapor
Correct Answer
B. NitrogenExplanation
Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere, making up about 78% of the total volume. Oxygen is the second most abundant gas, comprising approximately 21% of the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide and water vapor are present in much smaller quantities.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which phrase best describes thermal energy?
- A.
The total energy of molecules
- B.
The average energy of molecules
- C.
The same thing as temperature
- D.
How hot something is
Correct Answer
A. The total energy of moleculesExplanation
Thermal energy refers to the total energy possessed by the molecules in a substance. It takes into account the kinetic energy of the molecules due to their motion and the potential energy associated with their position. This energy is directly proportional to the temperature of the substance. Therefore, the correct answer is "The total energy of molecules."Rate this question:
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- 4.
If you feel rain falling on you, what layer of the atmosphere must you be in?
- A.
Thermosphere
- B.
Mesosphere
- C.
Troposphere
- D.
Stratosphere
Correct Answer
C. TroposphereExplanation
The troposphere is the layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth's surface, extending up to about 10-15 kilometers. It is where weather occurs and where we experience rain, clouds, and other atmospheric phenomena. Therefore, if you feel rain falling on you, you must be in the troposphere.Rate this question:
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- 5.
If water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, what temperature does it freeze at on the Celsius scale? (Use C = (5/9)(F-32)
- A.
20 degrees
- B.
64 degrees
- C.
-3 degrees
- D.
0 degrees
Correct Answer
D. 0 degreesExplanation
Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius. This can be calculated using the formula C = (5/9)(F-32), where F is the temperature in Fahrenheit and C is the temperature in Celsius. Plugging in 32 for F, we get C = (5/9)(32-32) = (5/9)(0) = 0. Therefore, water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Which of the following is an example of heat transfer by radiation?
- A.
A pan sitting on a hot burner
- B.
The Sun heating the Earth
- C.
Hot air lifting a balloon off the ground
- D.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. The Sun heating the EarthExplanation
The Sun heating the Earth is an example of heat transfer by radiation. Radiation is the transfer of heat energy through electromagnetic waves. In this case, the Sun emits heat energy in the form of radiation, which travels through space and reaches the Earth, causing it to heat up. This process does not require a medium for heat transfer and can occur even in a vacuum.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Which of the following is an example of heat transfer by conduction?
- A.
A pan sitting on a hot burner
- B.
The Sun heating the Earth
- C.
Hot air lifting a balloon off the ground
- D.
None of the above
Correct Answer
A. A pan sitting on a hot burnerExplanation
The correct answer is A pan sitting on a hot burner. This is an example of heat transfer by conduction because the heat is being transferred from the hot burner to the pan through direct contact. Conduction occurs when heat is transferred through a solid material or between two objects in direct contact with each other. In this case, the pan is in direct contact with the hot burner, allowing the heat to transfer from the burner to the pan.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which of the following is an example of heat transfer by convection?
- A.
A pan sitting on a hot burner
- B.
The Sun heating the Earth
- C.
Hot air lifting a balloon off the ground
- D.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. Hot air lifting a balloon off the groundExplanation
Hot air lifting a balloon off the ground is an example of heat transfer by convection. Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases). In this case, the hot air rises due to its lower density compared to the surrounding cooler air. As the hot air rises, it carries heat energy with it, causing the balloon to lift off the ground. This process is commonly seen in hot air balloons, where the burner heats the air inside the balloon, making it less dense and causing it to rise.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Why is the ozone layer beneficial to humans?
- A.
It gets rid of harmful gases like carbon dioxide.
- B.
It provides a form of oxygen with three atoms that helps us breathe better.
- C.
It increases the greenhouse effect so we can grow plants.
- D.
It filters out incoming ultraviolet radiation.
Correct Answer
D. It filters out incoming ultraviolet radiation.Explanation
The ozone layer is beneficial to humans because it filters out incoming ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can be harmful to human health, as it can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and weaken the immune system. The ozone layer acts as a protective shield, absorbing and blocking most of the UV radiation, allowing us to safely enjoy sunlight without the risk of excessive exposure.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The process by which the atmosphere traps heat is called what?
- A.
The greenhouse effect
- B.
Conduction
- C.
The Coriolis Effect
- D.
Convection
Correct Answer
A. The greenhouse effectExplanation
The greenhouse effect is the process by which the atmosphere traps heat. It occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and methane, absorb and re-emit infrared radiation from the Earth's surface, preventing it from escaping into space. This trapped heat leads to an increase in the Earth's temperature, causing global warming and climate change.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Which of the following does NOT play a role in the formation of winds?
- A.
Unequal heating of the Earth by the Sun
- B.
Unequal amounts of precipitation
- C.
Differences in air pressure
- D.
All of the above play a role in the formation of winds.
Correct Answer
B. Unequal amounts of precipitationExplanation
Unequal amounts of precipitation do not play a role in the formation of winds. Winds are primarily formed due to the unequal heating of the Earth by the Sun, which creates temperature differences and leads to differences in air pressure. These pressure differences then cause air to move from high pressure areas to low pressure areas, resulting in the formation of winds. Precipitation, on the other hand, is related to the condensation and falling of water vapor in the atmosphere, which is not directly involved in the formation of winds.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Which of the following statements is true regarding warm and cool air?
- A.
Warm air is more dense than cool air, so it rises.
- B.
Cool air is less dense than warm air, so it rises.
- C.
Warm air is less dense than cool air, so it sinks.
- D.
Cool air is more dense than warm air, so it sinks.
Correct Answer
D. Cool air is more dense than warm air, so it sinks.Explanation
Cool air is more dense than warm air, so it sinks. This is because cool air molecules have less energy and move more slowly, causing them to be closer together and creating higher density. On the other hand, warm air molecules have more energy and move faster, causing them to spread out and create lower density. As a result, cool air tends to sink while warm air rises.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Why does a sea breeze occur?
- A.
Land heats faster than water.
- B.
Land heats slower than water.
- C.
Land cools faster than water.
- D.
Land cools slower than water.
Correct Answer
A. Land heats faster than water.Explanation
A sea breeze occurs because land heats faster than water. During the day, the sun's rays heat up the land more quickly than the adjacent water. As a result, the air above the land becomes warmer and rises, creating a low-pressure area. The cooler air over the water then moves towards the land to fill this void, resulting in a sea breeze. This phenomenon is most commonly observed in coastal areas during the daytime when the temperature contrast between land and water is the greatest.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which sentence best describes how sleet is formed?
- A.
Sleet starts off as rain and then freezes on the way to Earth.
- B.
Sleet falls to the Earth as rain, then freezes on a cold surface.
- C.
Sleet freezes in a cloud then falls as a ball of ice.
- D.
Sleet forms when water vapor condenses directly into ice crystals.
Correct Answer
A. Sleet starts off as rain and then freezes on the way to Earth.Explanation
Sleet is formed when raindrops freeze on their way to the Earth's surface. This means that initially, the precipitation starts as rain, but as it falls through a layer of freezing air, it solidifies into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Therefore, the correct answer is "Sleet starts off as rain and then freezes on the way to Earth."Rate this question:
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- 15.
What term is used to describe how Earth's rotation seems to make global winds curve?
- A.
Greenhouse effect
- B.
Humidity
- C.
Psychrometer syndrome
- D.
Coriolis effect
Correct Answer
D. Coriolis effectExplanation
The term used to describe how Earth's rotation seems to make global winds curve is the Coriolis effect. This effect is caused by the rotation of the Earth and the conservation of angular momentum, which causes moving objects, such as air or water, to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This deflection results in the curving of global winds and the formation of various weather patterns across the Earth.Rate this question:
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