Chapter 4 Earth's Atmosphere

Question 1

Most of the energy that reaches the sun is…

Answer 1

…visible light.

Question 2

When the sun’s energy reaches Earth…

Answer 2

…about 50% is absorbed by Earth’s surface

Question 3

Why doesn’t Earth become hotter with time as the Sun shines on it?

Answer 3

Earth sends back into space the same amount of energy it receives.

Question 4

Which gases are most responsible for the warming that occurs with the greenhouse effect?

Answer 4

Methane and Carbon Monoxide

Question 5

Which term describes what builds storm clouds as rapidly rising air cools?

Answer 5

Unstable air

Question 6

Which term describes energy transfer by objects that are touching?

Answer 6

Conduction

Question 7

Which term describes cooler air trapped beneath warmer air?

Answer 7

Temperature Inversion

Question 8

Which term describes energy transfer by electromagnetic waves?

Answer 8

Radiation

Question 9

Which term describes energy transfer due to warm, air rising?

Answer 9

Convection

Question 10

Which term is changed when water changes state?

Answer 10

Latent Heat

Question 11

What is the cause of wind?

Answer 11

Unequal heating of Earth’s surface

Question 12

Sea breezes for during the day when…

Answer 12

…The land heats faster that the nearby ocean

Question 13

What does the Coriolis effect do to winds in the northern hemisphere?

Answer 13

Causes them to turn to the right

Question 14

Why do land breezes blow from the land to the sea at night?

Answer 14

Land cools faster than nearby water

Question 15

Which term describes steady east-to-west winds that flow toward the equator from 30N and 30S?

Answer 15

Trade Winds

Question 16

Which term describes winds that blow from west to east between 30N and 60N & 30S and 60S?

Answer 16

Westerlies

Question 17

Which term describes cold winds that blow from east to west near the poles?

Answer 17

Polar Easterlies

Question 18

A factory smokestack is what type of pollution; point or nonpoint source?

Answer 18

Point source pollution

Question 19

A highway that has many cars releasing exhaust is what type of pollution; point or nonpoint source?

Answer 19

Nonpoint source

Question 20

Which example is an effect of acid precipitation?

a. Temperature inversions
b. Weathered stone on buildings
c. An increase in the concentration of smog

Answer 20

weathered stone on buildings

Question 21

Pollution that forms when sunlight reacts with chemicals in the air is…

Answer 21

photochemcial smog

Question 22

Why have air pollution controls failed to decrease ground level ozone?

Answer 22

Ozone is not covered under the Clean Air Act of 1970

Question 23

Which term describes tiny particles of dust, acid and other chemicals?

Answer 23

Particulate matter

Question 24

Which term traps pollution in air over cities?

Answer 24

Temperature inversion

Question 25

Which term is an indoor pollutant emitted by some soil and rocks?

Answer 25

Radon

Question 26

Which term is responsible for decreasing air pollution levels?

Answer 26

Clean Air Act

Question 27

Lead and ___________pollutants have decreased the most.

Answer 27

carbon monoxide