NASA: Climate Change And Global Warming
- 1.
Climate change is controlled by a single factor.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Climate change is not controlled by a single factor. It is a complex phenomenon influenced by a variety of factors including greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, industrial activities, and natural processes such as volcanic eruptions and solar radiation. These factors interact with each other and contribute to changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and sea levels over time. Therefore, the statement that climate change is controlled by a single factor is false.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Volcanic eruptions, like Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, influence the climate by...
- A.
Releasing sulfur molecules into the atmosphere that reflect sunlight away from the Earth.
- B.
Cooling the planet for 1-2 years after the eruption.
- C.
Cooling the planet for 3-4 years after the eruption.
- D.
Releasing sulfur molecules into the atmosphere that absorb sunlight increasing the Earth's absorption of heat.
Correct Answer(s)
A. Releasing sulfur molecules into the atmosphere that reflect sunlight away from the Earth.
B. Cooling the planet for 1-2 years after the eruption.Explanation
Volcanic eruptions, such as Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, have a significant impact on the climate. They release sulfur molecules into the atmosphere, which act as a reflective barrier, reflecting sunlight away from the Earth's surface. This leads to a cooling effect on the planet for a period of 1-2 years after the eruption.Rate this question:
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- 3.
A sunspot is defined as cooler, darker area on the Sun's surface where energy and light are released by intense magnetic forces.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
They are areas on the Sun's surface where energy and light are SUPPRESSED by intense magnetic forces.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Phenology refers to...
- A.
A difference from a long term average.
- B.
Data points measured consecutively at regular intervals in time.
- C.
Human intervention in complex systems that tend to create unintended results.
- D.
The study of when things become apparent.
Correct Answer
D. The study of when things become apparent.Explanation
Phenology refers to the study of when things become apparent. It involves observing and recording the timing of natural events such as flowering, migration, and hibernation in plants and animals. By studying phenology, scientists can better understand the effects of climate change on ecosystems and make predictions about future changes.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Select one of the following that can be used to show evidence of Earth's warming.
- A.
Sunspots appearing in increased numbers.
- B.
The melting of Montana's glaciers.
- C.
Droughts occurring in California.
- D.
The decline of bald eagle populations before the 21st century.
Correct Answer
B. The melting of Montana's glaciers.Explanation
Sunspots occur in cycles not necessarily in relation to Earth's warming. Droughts in California are a temporary disturbance that are isolated to a fraction of the Earth. Previous bald eagle population decline is attributed to lack of protection and use of pesticides such as DDT.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The greenhouse effect is a natural occurrence.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The greenhouse effect would be happening regardless of human intervention, however humans are adding to the effect and worsening the process.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Select all impacts of drought.
- A.
A decrease in air quality.
- B.
An increase in forest health.
- C.
A decrease in agricultural production.
- D.
A positive effect on power production.
Correct Answer(s)
A. A decrease in air quality.
C. A decrease in agricultural production.Explanation
There would be a decrease in forest health (think about your dendrochronology lab). There would be a negative effect on power production (think about the Monticello and having a low water level would not be able to produce energy).Rate this question:
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- 8.
Biomagnification refers to when you go up a trophic cascade, there is a decrease in organic pollutants and metals.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
There is a increase in pollutants and metals due to secondary consumers feeding on the lower levels and acquiring many sources of small concentrations of these pollutants that add up for the secondary consumer.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The decline in American bald eagle populations was due to adult eagles consuming high concentrations of DDT that lowered calcium levels and weakened egg shells, resulting in shells that broke during incubation or hatching failures.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The explanation for the given correct answer is that the decline in American bald eagle populations was indeed caused by adult eagles consuming high concentrations of DDT. This pesticide lowered calcium levels in their bodies, leading to weakened egg shells. As a result, the shells broke during incubation or hatching, leading to failures in reproduction. This explanation highlights the impact of DDT on the bald eagle populations and the subsequent decline in their numbers.Rate this question:
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- 10.
What factors contributed to the bald eagle population comeback?
- A.
Legal protection such as the Endangered Species Act.
- B.
The implementation of fines for interfering with protected nesting areas.
- C.
Banning the use of DDT in the United States.
- D.
Deliberate reintroduction of bald eagles.
Correct Answer(s)
A. Legal protection such as the Endangered Species Act.
B. The implementation of fines for interfering with protected nesting areas.
C. Banning the use of DDT in the United States.
D. Deliberate reintroduction of bald eagles.Explanation
The bald eagle population comeback can be attributed to a combination of factors. Legal protection provided by the Endangered Species Act helped in safeguarding the species and their habitats. The implementation of fines for interfering with protected nesting areas discouraged human interference, allowing the eagles to thrive. Banning the use of DDT in the United States was crucial as this pesticide was harmful to the eagles and their reproductive abilities. Additionally, deliberate reintroduction efforts played a significant role in boosting the bald eagle population.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Select all examples of proxy records.
- A.
Tree rings
- B.
Satellites
- C.
Buoys
- D.
Ice cores
- E.
Pollen samples
- F.
Mud cores
- G.
Upper air stations
Correct Answer(s)
A. Tree rings
D. Ice cores
E. Pollen samples
F. Mud coresExplanation
Remember, proxy records are those that we obtained prior to the instrumental period when we could not make quantitative measurements such as temperature and concentration recordings. Proxy records are the natural records that are built over long periods of time to tell us about the Earth and what has occurred.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Superposition refers to the principle that states that layers are sediment are deposited in a time sequence with the oldest sediment at the bottom and youngest at the top.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Superposition is a fundamental principle in geology that states that the layers of sedimentary rocks are deposited in a chronological order, with the oldest layers at the bottom and the youngest layers at the top. This principle is based on the understanding that new layers of sediment are deposited on top of older layers over time. By studying the sequence of sedimentary layers, geologists can determine the relative ages of rocks and reconstruct the history of Earth's past environments. Therefore, the statement "Superposition refers to the principle that states that layers of sediment are deposited in a time sequence with the oldest sediment at the bottom and youngest at the top" is true.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Select the following examples given regarding proxy records.
- A.
LACCORE collecting lake-bed sediment to analyze the lake's history.
- B.
Measuring the amount of radiocarbon within preserved plants and insects to dates to what is found in lake sediment.
- C.
Collecting CO2 measurements at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii.
- D.
Studying ancient ring cores to compare to climatic events.
Correct Answer(s)
A. LACCORE collecting lake-bed sediment to analyze the lake's history.
B. Measuring the amount of radiocarbon within preserved plants and insects to dates to what is found in lake sediment.
D. Studying ancient ring cores to compare to climatic events.Explanation
The examples given regarding proxy records include collecting lake-bed sediment to analyze the lake's history, measuring the amount of radiocarbon within preserved plants and insects to date what is found in lake sediment, and studying ancient ring cores to compare to climatic events. These examples demonstrate different methods of using indirect evidence, or proxy records, to understand past environmental conditions and events.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Select the following that are true regarding our urban environments.
- A.
The use of concrete, glass, and steel have different thermal bulk properties than natural elements and change the energy balance due to the holding of heat.
- B.
The urban environment causes human health issues such as asthma.
- C.
Energy consumption is down due to most of the population living in condensed urban environments now and not in rural areas.
- D.
Temperatures in the urban core are lower at night due to the lack of solar radiation reaching the man-made surfaces.
- E.
It is affected by the surrounding ecological context, the size of the city, and the shape of the city.
Correct Answer(s)
A. The use of concrete, glass, and steel have different thermal bulk properties than natural elements and change the energy balance due to the holding of heat.
B. The urban environment causes human health issues such as asthma.
E. It is affected by the surrounding ecological context, the size of the city, and the shape of the city.Explanation
Energy consumption goes up due to more heat being held in these areas and the people living in them needing to use more air-conditioning and heating.
Temps int he urban core are higher at night because the man-made surfaces hold heat that reaches it during the daytime.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Urban environments are highly homogenous, have low habitat diversity, leads to low biological diversity, and provides opportunities for stenophagous organisms.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
They provide opportunities for euryphagous organisms because they have the ability to live in a range of habitats and can be considered generalists that can survive off of many different types of food sources.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Select the option that best describes the overall idea regarding the wildfire diagram.
- A.
Grasslands produce small but frequent fires.
- B.
Frequency and severity of fires are determined by the availability of fuel.
- C.
Closed forests produce large but infrequent fires.
- D.
This diagram shows how a fire ladder works.
Correct Answer
B. Frequency and severity of fires are determined by the availability of fuel.Explanation
All statements are true, except regarding the fire ladder. This diagram is showing fuel vs. fire severity vs. fire frequency.
The best overall statement is saying that the more fuel, the worse the fire will be. The less fuel, the smaller the fire.Rate this question:
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