X 201 Final Exam Question Bank Questions
and Correct Answers
The most abundant gases in Earth's atmosphere by volume are - ANSWER nitrogen and
oxygen
Which of the following is considered a variable gas in Earth's atmosphere? - ANSWER
water vapor
The only substance near Earth's surface that is found naturally in the current atmosphere as
a solid, liquid, and a gas is - ANSWER water
Which weather element ALWAYS decreases as we climb upward in the atmosphere? -
ANSWER pressure
Earth's atmosphere is divided into named layers based on the vertical profile of - ANSWER
air temperature
Almost all Earth's weather occurs in the - ANSWER troposphere
The gas that absorbs most of the harmful ultraviolet radiation in the stratosphere is -
ANSWER ozone
In a temperature inversion, air temperature - ANSWER increases with increasing height
The word "weather" is defined as - ANSWER the condition of the atmosphere at a
particular time and place
Wind direction is - ANSWER the direction from which the wind is blowing
Which measurement indicates the average speed of air molecules? - ANSWER temperature
, The amount of heat energy required to bring about a small change in temperature is called
the - ANSWER heat capacity
A vertical exchange of heat is called - ANSWER convection
The heat energy released when water vapor changes to a liquid is called - ANSWER latent
heat of condensation
What determines the type (wavelength) and amount of radiation that an object emits? -
ANSWER temperature
What type of energy has a wavelength shorter than that of violet light? - ANSWER
ultraviolet light
Earth emits radiation with greatest intensity at - ANSWER infrared wavelengths
The combined albedo of Earth and the atmosphere is approximately ____ percent. -
ANSWER 30
Without the atmosphere greenhouse effect, the average surface temperature would be -
ANSWER lower than at present
If the amount of energy lost by the Earth to space each year were not approximately equal
to that received, - ANSWER the atmosphere's average temperature would change
Although the polar regions radiate away more heat energy than they receive by insolation in
the course of a year, they are prevented from becoming progressively colder each year by
the - ANSWER circulation of heat by the atmosphere and oceans
Our seasons are caused by - ANSWER the angle at which sunlight reaches Earth
On the summer solstice, the highest position of the noonday Sun is located - ANSWER in
the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere
At any given time, ____ of Earth is illuminated by the Sun. - ANSWER one-half
In the Northern Hemisphere, which day has the fewest hours of daylight? - ANSWER winter
solstice
The lag in daily temperature refers to the time lag between the - ANSWER time of
maximum solar radiation and the time of maximum temperature
The daily minimum temperature is usually observed - ANSWER around sunrise
The greatest variation in daily temperatures usually occurs - ANSWER at the ground
Ideal conditions for a strong radiation inversion are a - ANSWER clear, calm, dry winter
night
and Correct Answers
The most abundant gases in Earth's atmosphere by volume are - ANSWER nitrogen and
oxygen
Which of the following is considered a variable gas in Earth's atmosphere? - ANSWER
water vapor
The only substance near Earth's surface that is found naturally in the current atmosphere as
a solid, liquid, and a gas is - ANSWER water
Which weather element ALWAYS decreases as we climb upward in the atmosphere? -
ANSWER pressure
Earth's atmosphere is divided into named layers based on the vertical profile of - ANSWER
air temperature
Almost all Earth's weather occurs in the - ANSWER troposphere
The gas that absorbs most of the harmful ultraviolet radiation in the stratosphere is -
ANSWER ozone
In a temperature inversion, air temperature - ANSWER increases with increasing height
The word "weather" is defined as - ANSWER the condition of the atmosphere at a
particular time and place
Wind direction is - ANSWER the direction from which the wind is blowing
Which measurement indicates the average speed of air molecules? - ANSWER temperature
, The amount of heat energy required to bring about a small change in temperature is called
the - ANSWER heat capacity
A vertical exchange of heat is called - ANSWER convection
The heat energy released when water vapor changes to a liquid is called - ANSWER latent
heat of condensation
What determines the type (wavelength) and amount of radiation that an object emits? -
ANSWER temperature
What type of energy has a wavelength shorter than that of violet light? - ANSWER
ultraviolet light
Earth emits radiation with greatest intensity at - ANSWER infrared wavelengths
The combined albedo of Earth and the atmosphere is approximately ____ percent. -
ANSWER 30
Without the atmosphere greenhouse effect, the average surface temperature would be -
ANSWER lower than at present
If the amount of energy lost by the Earth to space each year were not approximately equal
to that received, - ANSWER the atmosphere's average temperature would change
Although the polar regions radiate away more heat energy than they receive by insolation in
the course of a year, they are prevented from becoming progressively colder each year by
the - ANSWER circulation of heat by the atmosphere and oceans
Our seasons are caused by - ANSWER the angle at which sunlight reaches Earth
On the summer solstice, the highest position of the noonday Sun is located - ANSWER in
the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere
At any given time, ____ of Earth is illuminated by the Sun. - ANSWER one-half
In the Northern Hemisphere, which day has the fewest hours of daylight? - ANSWER winter
solstice
The lag in daily temperature refers to the time lag between the - ANSWER time of
maximum solar radiation and the time of maximum temperature
The daily minimum temperature is usually observed - ANSWER around sunrise
The greatest variation in daily temperatures usually occurs - ANSWER at the ground
Ideal conditions for a strong radiation inversion are a - ANSWER clear, calm, dry winter
night
