Chpt. 4 - Section B: Radiation & Climate

A: visible light is not harmful
B: infrared is not blocked by the ozone
D: microwaves are not blocked by the ozone (they are in your house..)

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, making it the only activity mentioned that does not increase carbon dioxide levels. Clearing forests of vegetation, burning off clearings and scrap lumber, and burning fossil fuels all release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to increased levels of this greenhouse gas.

B: the ozone interacts with UV light
C: this affects the transmittance of light by dust in the upper stratosphere
D: this is not a chemical reaction

Astronauts are exposed to the most cosmic rays because they spend extended periods of time in space, outside the protective shield of the Earth's atmosphere. Cosmic rays are high-energy particles that originate from outer space and can penetrate through materials, including the human body. Astronauts on space missions are at a higher risk of exposure to these cosmic rays compared to other occupations listed.

A: too vague
C: these are physical particles
D: these make up DNA

Visible light is the correct answer because it falls within the wavelength range of 400-700 nanometers, which is the range that plants are able to absorb and utilize for photosynthesis. In this process, plants convert light energy into chemical energy, which is essential for their growth and survival. Infrared, ultraviolet, and radio waves do not fall within this specific wavelength range and therefore do not provide the necessary energy for photosynthesis.

Oxygen gas does not trap infrared radiation in the Earth's atmosphere. While carbon dioxide, clouds, and methane are greenhouse gases that can absorb and trap infrared radiation, oxygen gas does not have this property. It is primarily nitrogen and oxygen gas that make up the Earth's atmosphere, and while they do play a role in the overall composition and functioning of the atmosphere, they do not contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect.

Clouds and particles in the atmosphere are the major reflectors of solar radiation on Earth. Clouds reflect a significant amount of sunlight back into space due to their white appearance and ability to scatter light. Particles in the atmosphere, such as dust, pollutants, and aerosols, also contribute to the reflection of solar radiation. These particles scatter the sunlight in different directions, preventing a portion of it from reaching the Earth's surface. This reflection and scattering of solar radiation by clouds and atmospheric particles play a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate and temperature.

Electromagnetic radiation refers to the energy that is transmitted through electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves, microwaves, visible light, and X-rays. Unlike water or sound waves, which require a medium to travel through, electromagnetic radiation can travel through a vacuum, which is a space devoid of matter. This is because electromagnetic waves consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that do not rely on physical particles for propagation. Therefore, electromagnetic radiation can travel through empty space, making it distinct from other types of waves.

Wavelength is defined as the distance between the same point on two successive waves. It represents the spatial period of a wave and is commonly measured from crest to crest or trough to trough. This measurement is important in understanding the characteristics and behavior of waves, such as interference and diffraction. The other options provided in the question do not accurately describe wavelength.

Agricultural livestock, such as cows and sheep, produce a significant amount of methane that is released into the atmosphere. This is because these animals have a digestive system that breaks down food through fermentation, resulting in the release of methane gas as a byproduct. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change and global warming. Therefore, agricultural livestock are a major source of methane emissions and play a significant role in the overall greenhouse gas production.

B: this is the definition of heat capacity
C: this is the definition of heat vs. temperature
D: this is the definition of heat capacity

Frequency is a measure of how often something occurs. In the context of waves, it refers to the number of waves that pass a given reference point per second. This means that it measures the rate at which the waves are occurring, rather than the distance between the waves or the time it takes for one wave to pass a particular point. Therefore, the phrase "the number of waves that pass a given reference point per second" best describes frequency.

The largest amount of Earth's carbon is located in CO2 dissolved in the oceans. This is because the oceans act as a carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through a process called carbon sequestration. The dissolved CO2 in the oceans plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Additionally, the oceans also support various marine organisms that incorporate carbon into their shells and tissues, further contributing to the carbon storage in the oceans.

Ultraviolet radiation makes up 9% of sunlight. This means that out of the total energy emitted by the sun, only 9% is in the form of ultraviolet radiation. The remaining percentage is made up of other types of radiation such as visible light and infrared radiation. Ultraviolet radiation is known to have both beneficial and harmful effects on living organisms, including the ability to cause sunburn and skin damage, but also the ability to stimulate the production of vitamin D in the skin.

Approximately 30% of the Sun's energy never enters the Earth's atmosphere and is reflected back into space. This is due to a phenomenon called albedo, which refers to the reflection of solar radiation off the Earth's surface, clouds, and other atmospheric particles. The reflectivity of different surfaces and objects on Earth, such as ice, snow, and clouds, determines the amount of energy that is reflected back into space.

Cosmic rays have the highest energy among the given options, which makes them potentially more harmful. Unlike the other types of radiation mentioned, cosmic rays originate from outer space and consist of high-energy particles, such as protons and atomic nuclei, traveling at nearly the speed of light. When these particles interact with the Earth's atmosphere or human bodies, they can cause damage to cells and DNA, leading to potential health risks. Ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, and radio waves have lower energy levels and are generally less harmful to living organisms.

Grass has a higher specific heat capacity than sand. Specific heat capacity refers to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance. In this case, grass requires more heat to increase its temperature compared to sand. Therefore, when walking across a sandy beach, the sand absorbs and retains more heat, making it hotter than walking across a grassy lawn.