1.
Which of the following would be the most abundant atmospheric component?
Correct Answer
C. Nitrogen
Explanation
Nitrogen would be the most abundant atmospheric component because it makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere. Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and argon are also present in the atmosphere, but in much smaller quantities compared to nitrogen.
2.
Which of the following statements would be FALSE?
Correct Answer
B. The Earth's atmospHere does not change
Explanation
The given answer is false because the Earth's atmosphere does change over time. The Earth's atmosphere has undergone natural changes throughout its history, such as variations in the composition of gases, temperature, and climate patterns. These changes have occurred due to natural processes like volcanic activity, solar radiation, and geological events. Additionally, human activities have also contributed to significant changes in the Earth's atmosphere, such as the release of greenhouse gases and pollutants. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that the Earth's atmosphere does not change.
3.
Scientists from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) are concerned about air quality. Which substance that is found to be present in the atmosphere, would provide evidence of poor air quality?
Correct Answer
D. CFC's
Explanation
CFC's (chlorofluorocarbons) are a group of chemicals that are known to contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. The presence of CFC's in the atmosphere would indicate poor air quality because they are harmful to the environment and human health. CFC's are commonly found in aerosol propellants, refrigerants, and foam-blowing agents, and their release into the atmosphere can have long-lasting negative effects. Therefore, scientists from the EPA would be concerned about air quality if they found evidence of CFC's in the atmosphere.
4.
Why does the troposphere experience the greatest amount of atmospheric pressure compared to the other atmospheric layers?
Correct Answer
C. It contains a high concentration of gas particles
Explanation
The troposphere experiences the greatest amount of atmospheric pressure compared to the other atmospheric layers because it contains a high concentration of gas particles. The weight of the gases above exerts pressure on the gases below, and since the troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, it has the most gases above it, resulting in higher atmospheric pressure.
5.
Which of the following is the only list representing natural components of the atmosphere?
Correct Answer
B. Pollen, oxygen, carbon dioxide
Explanation
The correct answer is pollen, oxygen, carbon dioxide. Pollen is a natural component of the atmosphere as it is produced by plants for reproduction. Oxygen is also a natural component, as it is a vital gas for many organisms and is produced through photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide is another natural component, as it is released by living organisms during respiration and is also a greenhouse gas. The other options contain either man-made pollutants or incorrect combinations of natural components.
6.
What is the relationship between altitude and air density within the Earth's atmosphere?
Correct Answer
A. As altitude increases, air density decreases
Explanation
As altitude increases, the air density decreases because the atmosphere becomes less dense at higher altitudes. This is because the pressure decreases with increasing altitude, which leads to a decrease in the number of air molecules in a given volume of space. Therefore, there is less mass of air per unit volume, resulting in lower air density at higher altitudes.
7.
Which layer of the atmosphere is best described by the following:
layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs, has the highest air pressure and density
Correct Answer
A. TropospHere
Explanation
The troposphere is the layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs and has the highest air pressure and density. This layer is closest to the Earth's surface and extends up to about 10-15 kilometers in altitude. It is where most of the Earth's weather phenomena, such as clouds, precipitation, and storms, take place. The air pressure and density decrease as you move higher in the atmosphere, making the troposphere the most suitable layer to describe these characteristics.
8.
Collection of water on the earth can be in the form of....
Correct Answer
D. All of the above
Explanation
Water on Earth can be collected in various forms such as oceans, rivers, and lakes. Oceans cover about 71% of the Earth's surface and contain the majority of the planet's water. Rivers are flowing bodies of water that collect water from various sources and transport it to lakes, oceans, or other rivers. Lakes are large bodies of water that are surrounded by land. Therefore, all of the above options - oceans, rivers, and lakes - are correct as they represent different forms of water collection on Earth.
9.
Precipitation includes rain or snow.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Precipitation refers to any form of water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. This can include rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Therefore, the statement that precipitation includes rain or snow is correct.
10.
As water is heated, it evaporates into the atmosphere. As this water vapor rises into the atmosphere, it can saturate the air with moisture and cause high amounts of humidity. When air has a lot of humidity, dew and even fog can form, depending on the air temperature. The table below shows the temperature and dew point of an area on 4 separate mornings. Use the table to determine which morning(s) would most likely have fog.
Temperature
Dew Point
Morning #1
58°F
55°F
Morning #2
47°F
40°F
Morning #3
61°F
60°F
Morning #4
48°F
48°F
Correct Answer
E. Both 3 and 4
Explanation
Both Morning 3 and Morning 4 would most likely have fog. This is because the dew point temperature is equal to or very close to the actual temperature in both mornings. When the dew point temperature and the actual temperature are close, it indicates that the air is almost saturated with moisture, which increases the likelihood of fog formation.
11.
What is the relative humidity when the air temperature is at the dew point?
Correct Answer
B. 100 percent
Explanation
When the air temperature is at the dew point, it means that the air is saturated with moisture and cannot hold any more water vapor. At this point, the relative humidity is at its maximum, which is 100 percent. This means that the air is holding the maximum amount of moisture it can at that temperature, resulting in a relative humidity of 100 percent.
12.
Different surfaces absorb the sun's energy in different ways. These differences have an influence on the weather. As the surface of Earth heats up, the air above the surface heats up as well. In certain parts of the Earth, air will heat up more quickly than others. Select the the surface (s) that would cause air above the surface to heat the fastest.
Correct Answer
D. Both A and C
Explanation
Both a paved road on a sunny day and a desert landscape would cause the air above the surface to heat the fastest. Paved roads and desert landscapes are known to have low albedo, meaning they reflect less sunlight and absorb more of it. This absorption of sunlight leads to a rapid increase in surface temperature, which in turn heats up the air above it. On the other hand, a snowy hillside would have a high albedo, reflecting most of the sunlight and preventing the surface from heating up quickly.
13.
What would you expect to happen to the air pressure as a storm approaches?
Correct Answer
C. It would decrease
Explanation
As a storm approaches, the air pressure would decrease. This is because storms are associated with low-pressure systems. As the storm system moves closer, it displaces the surrounding air, causing the air pressure to drop. This decrease in air pressure is often an indication of an impending storm and can be observed through changes in barometric pressure.
14.
The map below shows the temperatures of surface water in different parts of the world. Read the descriptions below and decide which part of the map the description corresponds to.
Correct Answer
D. All of the above statements are true
Explanation
The map shows the temperatures of surface water in different parts of the world. The statement "Region 1 has the least amount of energy absorbed" can be inferred from the map by identifying the area with the lowest temperature. The statement "Region 2 temperatures will heat up quickly, and will cool faster" can be inferred from the map by identifying the areas with higher temperature gradients. The statement "Region 3 experiences more evaporation into the atmosphere" can be inferred from the map by identifying the areas with higher temperatures and potentially higher rates of evaporation. Therefore, all of the above statements are true based on the information provided by the map.
15.
When the greenhouse effect becomes stronger, more and more heat will be trapped on the Earth, increasing the average temperature here. What is this called?
Correct Answer
A. Global warming
Explanation
When the greenhouse effect becomes stronger, more heat is trapped on Earth, leading to an increase in the average temperature. This phenomenon is known as global warming.
16.
The greenhouse effect and ozone depletion (holes in ozone layer) are the same thing.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The statement is false because the greenhouse effect and ozone depletion are not the same thing. The greenhouse effect refers to the trapping of heat in the Earth's atmosphere by certain gases, such as carbon dioxide, which leads to global warming. On the other hand, ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the ozone layer in the stratosphere, primarily caused by the release of certain chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). While both phenomena are related to changes in the Earth's atmosphere, they are distinct and have different impacts on the environment.
17.
What's the name of the lower atmosphere that contains the greenhouse gases?
Correct Answer
B. TropospHere
Explanation
The correct answer is Troposphere. The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere and contains the greenhouse gases. It is the layer where weather occurs and where most of the Earth's air mass is located. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor are present in the troposphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat and regulating the Earth's temperature.
18.
Without the "greenhouse effect"...
Correct Answer
A. Overnight temperatures would plunge downward
Explanation
Without the greenhouse effect, overnight temperatures would plunge downward. The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping back into space. This helps to regulate the Earth's temperature and keep it within a habitable range. Without the greenhouse effect, there would be no insulation to retain the heat absorbed during the day, causing temperatures to drop significantly during the night.
19.
Which of the following are greenhouse gases?
Correct Answer
D. All of the above
Explanation
Carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane are all greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and causing global warming. Carbon dioxide is released through the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas and is naturally present in the atmosphere. Methane is released during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas. All three of these gases contribute to the warming of the planet and the disruption of the Earth's climate system.
20.
What do scientists think the effect will be of having more greenhouse gases in our atmosphere?
Correct Answer
A. More Warming of the atmospHere
Explanation
Scientists believe that an increase in greenhouse gases in our atmosphere will lead to more warming of the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat from the sun and prevent it from escaping back into space. This causes the Earth's temperature to rise, leading to various negative effects such as melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather events. The increase in greenhouse gases is primarily caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
21.
What do greenhouse gases do in our atmosphere?
Correct Answer
A. These gases absorb the sun heat & emits radiant energy
Explanation
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, have the ability to absorb heat from the sun and then emit radiant energy. This process is known as the greenhouse effect. When these gases accumulate in the atmosphere, they trap heat and prevent it from escaping into space, thus increasing the Earth's temperature. This phenomenon is responsible for global warming and climate change.
22.
What do humans do that releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere?
Correct Answer
D. Both A and C
Explanation
Both burning fossil fuels and using CFCs release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels, such as gas and coal, releases carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a major greenhouse gas. CFCs, or chlorofluorocarbons, are synthetic compounds used in various products like refrigerants and aerosol propellants. When released into the atmosphere, CFCs contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer, which in turn leads to the trapping of heat and the greenhouse effect. Therefore, both A and C are correct answers as they both involve human activities that release greenhouse gases.
23.
The ozone layer protects us from UV rays.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The ozone layer acts as a shield in the Earth's atmosphere, absorbing most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This protective layer prevents excessive UV rays from reaching the Earth's surface, which can cause various health issues such as skin cancer, cataracts, and weakened immune systems. Therefore, it is true that the ozone layer protects us from UV rays.
24.
The greenhouse effect is beneficial as it helps to sustain life on earth by naturally trapping heat in the atmosphere.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The greenhouse effect refers to the process in which certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping back into space. This natural phenomenon is crucial for sustaining life on Earth as it helps to maintain a stable temperature, making the planet habitable. Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth would be much colder, making it difficult for life to exist. Therefore, the statement that the greenhouse effect is beneficial as it helps to sustain life on Earth is true.
25.
The Sun’s rays strike the surface most directly at the equator.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The statement is true because the equator is the imaginary line that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Since the Earth is a sphere, the Sun's rays hit the equator at a right angle, making it the region where the Sun's rays strike most directly. This is why the equator experiences the highest amount of solar radiation and is generally hotter compared to other latitudes.
26.
What drives the water cycle?
Correct Answer
B. Sun
Explanation
The sun drives the water cycle by providing heat energy that causes evaporation of water from oceans, lakes, and rivers. This water vapor then rises into the atmosphere, where it cools and condenses into clouds. Eventually, the condensed water droplets become heavy enough to fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, such as rain or snow. This continuous cycle of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation is what drives the water cycle on Earth.
27.
Soil moisture and groundwater are renewed as some of the precipitation seeps into the earth. Some precipitation flows to rivers, lakes, and oceans through ____________________.
Correct Answer
B. Surface runoff
Explanation
Precipitation that does not infiltrate into the soil or evaporate from the surface flows over the land as surface runoff. This runoff collects in rivers, lakes, and eventually reaches the oceans. Surface runoff plays a crucial role in the water cycle by replenishing bodies of water and maintaining the balance of water on Earth.
28.
When warmer, less dense air rises in the atmosphere, and cooler more dense air sinks is an example of this type of heat transfer found within Earth's Atmosphere?
Correct Answer
C. Convection
Explanation
Convection is the correct answer because it refers to the transfer of heat through the movement of a fluid, such as air or water. In this scenario, warmer, less dense air rises while cooler, more dense air sinks, creating a convection current. This process is commonly observed in the Earth's atmosphere, as warm air near the surface rises and cooler air descends.
29.
Which one of the following is not a type of heat transfer?
Correct Answer
D. Global warming
Explanation
Global warming is not a type of heat transfer. It refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, primarily caused by human activities. Heat transfer, on the other hand, involves the movement of thermal energy from one object to another through conduction, convection, or radiation.
30.
What is the type of energy that is transferred in the form of rays or waves?
Correct Answer
C. Radiation
Explanation
Radiation is the type of energy that is transferred in the form of rays or waves. Conduction refers to the transfer of heat through direct contact, while convection involves the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids. Radiation, on the other hand, does not require a medium for transfer and can occur through empty space. Therefore, radiation is the correct answer as it best describes the transfer of energy in the form of rays or waves.
31.
This type of heat transfer , ____ is the transfer of energy that occurs when molecules bump into one another (direct touch).
Correct Answer
A. Conduction
Explanation
Conduction is the correct answer because it refers to the transfer of heat energy that occurs when molecules come into direct contact with each other. In this process, heat is transferred from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature through molecular collisions. This type of heat transfer is commonly observed in solids, where the molecules are closely packed together and can easily pass on their energy to neighboring molecules through direct contact.
32.
This type of heat transfer ____ is the transfer of heat by the flow of a material.
Correct Answer
B. Convection
Explanation
Convection is the correct answer because it refers to the transfer of heat through the movement of a material, such as a gas or a liquid. In convection, heat is transferred as the material itself moves from one place to another, carrying the heat energy with it. This type of heat transfer is commonly observed in everyday life, such as the rising of warm air or the circulation of hot water. Conduction, on the other hand, refers to the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials, while radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves.
33.
Which of the following statements would be the best reason why you could not live on Mars or Venus?
Correct Answer
D. It is cold and lifeless because Mars atmospHere is too thin to support life or Venus holds too much heat of the Sun's heat
34.
The Sun transfers energy to the Earth with this process known as ______________________.
Correct Answer
C. Radiation
Explanation
The Sun transfers energy to the Earth through the process of radiation. Radiation is the transfer of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as heat and light. In this case, the Sun emits electromagnetic waves, which travel through space and reach the Earth, transferring energy in the process. Conduction and convection involve the transfer of heat through direct contact or movement of a medium, respectively, but they do not apply to the transfer of energy from the Sun to the Earth. Therefore, the correct answer is radiation.
35.
What would the lasting impact be if the balance is tipped toward receiving more energy than it does now?
Correct Answer
B. The Earth would become hotter
Explanation
If the balance is tipped toward receiving more energy than it does now, the Earth would become hotter. This is because an increase in energy received would lead to an increase in temperature. The excess energy would cause a rise in global temperatures, resulting in a hotter Earth overall.
36.
What would be the best explanation for the following
Explain how the water cycle is related to weather patterns and climate.
Correct Answer
A. Water heated by the Sun and evaporates, water vapor condenses and form clouds, falling precipitation. This process allows for heat to be transferred from one region to other, affecting climate and weather patterns
Explanation
The water cycle is related to weather patterns and climate because it involves the continuous movement of water between the Earth's surface, the atmosphere, and back again. When water is heated by the Sun, it evaporates and forms water vapor in the atmosphere. This water vapor then condenses to form clouds, and eventually falls back to the Earth as precipitation. This process allows for the transfer of heat from one region to another, which can affect climate and weather patterns.