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ENV242 - Atmosphere and Climate Science > Questions for Exam > Flashcards

Questions for Exam Flashcards

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1
Q

Lag in daily temperature refers to the lag time between

A

the time of maximum solar radiation & the time of maximum temperature

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2
Q

During the afternoon the greatest temp diff. between the surface air & the air several meters above occurs on a

A

Clear, calm afternoon

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3
Q

The greatest variation in daily temp usually occurs

A

at the ground

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4
Q

In summer, humid regions typically have ……….. daily temp ranges & ………….. maximum temps than drier regions.

A

smaller, lower

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5
Q

In most areas the warmest time of the day about 5 feet above the ground occurs

A

in the afternoon between 2 & 5 pm

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6
Q

Everything else being equal, the lowest air temp on a winter night will occur above a

A

surface covered with snow

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7
Q

Which is generally true at night

A

Earth emits more energy than it absorbs

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8
Q

Lowest temp is usually observed

A

around sunrise

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9
Q

Which is generally true during the day

A

Earth absorbs more energy than it emits

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10
Q

In clear weather the air next to the ground is usually ………. than the air above during the night, & ………. than the air above during the day

A

colder, warmer

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11
Q

One would expect the lowest temps to be found next to the ground on a

A

Clear, dry, calm day

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12
Q

Warmer than average overnight temps are probably not associated with

A

a strong radiation inversion

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13
Q

At what time during a 24-hour day would a radiation temp inversion best be developed

A

near sunrise

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14
Q

Ideal conditions for a strong radiation inversion are

A

Clear, calm, dry, winter night

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15
Q

The primary cause of a radiation inversion is

A

infrared radiation emitted by the earth’s surface

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16
Q

Important reason for the large daily temp range over deserts is

A

there is little water vapor in the air to absorb & re-radiate infrared radiation

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17
Q

The deepest radiation inversion would be observed

A

in polar regions in winter

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18
Q

A radiation inversion is most commonly observed

A

just above the ground

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19
Q

On a clear, clam, night, the ground & air above, cool mainly by this process

A

radiation

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20
Q

Orchard heaters & wind machines are most useful in preventing damaging low temps from occurring next to the ground on

A

clear, calm nights

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21
Q

Thermal belts are

A

warmer hillsides that are less likely to experience freezing conditions

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22
Q

In a hilly region the best place to plant crops that are sensitive to low temp is

A

alone the hillside

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23
Q

Lines connecting points of equal temp are called

A

isotherms

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24
Q

Wind machines can prevent surface air temps from reaching extremely low readings by

A

mixing surface air with air directly above

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25
Q

Two objects A & B have the same mass but the specific heat of A is larger than B.
If both objects absorb equal amounts of energy, which will be warmer

A

B will becomes warmer than A

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26
Q

If energy is added to an object, the smallest temp change will occur when the object has

A

large mass, large specific heat

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27
Q

When you observe large changes in the temp of an object even though only small amounts of energy are added or removed, you might conclude the object has low

A

specific heat

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28
Q

Two objects have the same temp. Object A feels colder to the touch than object B. This is probably because the two objects have different

A

thermal conductivities

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29
Q

The largest annual range of temps are found

A

at polar latitudes over land

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30
Q

If you subtract the daily minimum from the daily maximum temp you have the

A

daily range of temp

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31
Q

This is used as an index for fuel consumption

A

heating degree-days

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32
Q

The wind-chill index relates

A

body heat loss with wind to an equivalent temp with no wind

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33
Q

In calm air the temp is 10* C if the wind speed should increase to 30 knots (no change in air temp) the thermometer would indicate

A

a temp of -10* C

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34
Q

Which is usually a liquid-in-glass thermometer

A

minimum thermometer

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35
Q

A thermometer with a small constriction just above the bulb is a

A

maximum thermometer

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36
Q

When would be the best time to reset a minimum thermometer

A

just after the maximum temp

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37
Q

A thermometer that measures temp & records it on a piece of a chart paper is called a

A

thermograph

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38
Q

This instrument obtains air temp by measuring emitted infrared energy

A

radiometer

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39
Q

Ideal shelter for housing a temp-measurement instrument should be

A

white

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40
Q

During the long arctic winter, radiation inversions are

A

frequent

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41
Q

At what depth within the soil would you expect to find the smallest annual variation in temp

A

10 cm

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42
Q

Sandy soil has relatively low thermal conductivity & will reach a higher temp during the day than other types of soil
T/F

A

True

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43
Q

Thermal conductivity tell you the amount of heat needed to warm 1 gram of a material 1* C

A

False

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44
Q

On a cold night, wind can prevent an inversion from forming

A

True

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45
Q

Which two atmospheric layers have temperature profiles that promote vertical motion?

A

mesosphere and stratosphere.

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46
Q

Coriolis effect is strongest at this latitude

A

90* (the poles)

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47
Q

The atmospheric greenhouse effect is produced mainly by the

A

absorption and emission of infrared radiation by the atmosphere

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48
Q

The stratospheric ozone hole occurs in Antarctica during souther/northern hemisphere spring?

A

Over Antarctica in the southern hemisphere spring (with the return of the sun)

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49
Q

The sun emits predominantly………..radiation whereas the Earth emits predominantly…………radiation

A

shortwave, longwave

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50
Q

Which of the following processes transports, on average, the most energy from the ground to the atmosphere?

a. convection
b. conduction
c. radiation
d. latent heat

A

c. radiation

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51
Q

The average speed of the molecules in a sample of air is directly related to the_______.

a. heat content
b. temperature
c. specific heat
d. wavelength of maximum intensity
e. pressure

A

b. temperature

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52
Q

The earth emits radiation with greatest intensity at______.

a. infrared radiation
b. radio wavelengths
c. visible wavelengths
d. ultraviolet wavelength

A

a. infrared radiation

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53
Q

During conduction, kinetic energy is transferred from:

a. cold to hot areas
b. areas of high to areas of low pressure
c. hot to cold areas
d. humid to less humid areas
e. regions of slow moving molecules to regions of fast moving molecules

A

c. hot to cold areas

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54
Q

Over the earth as a whole, one would expect to observe the smallest variation in temperature from day to day and from month to month:

a. in the centre of a large landmass
b. along the Pacific coast of North America
c. on a small island near the equator
d. at the North Pole
e. high in the mountains in the middle of a continent

A

c. on a small island near the equator

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55
Q

The property of electromagnetic radiation if inversely proportional to temperature; if temperature increases _____ will decrease.

a. propagation speed
b. intensity
c. rate of emission
d. wavelength of peak emission

A

d. wavelength of peak emission

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56
Q

The cold feeling that you experience after leaving a swimming pool on a hot, dry, summer day is:

a. heat transported by conduction
b. heat transported by convection
c. heat transported by radiation
d. heat transported by latent heat

A

d. heat by transport by latent heat

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57
Q

The temperature of the soil is strongly influenced by solar radiation. At what depth within the soil would you expect to find the smallest annual variation in temperature?

a. 2 cm
b. 1 cm
c. 10cm
d. 5 cm

A

c. 10 cm

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58
Q

One would expect the lowest temperatures to be found next to the ground on a

a. none of the above
b. clear, calm night
c. clear, windy night
d. cloudy, windy night
e. cloudy, calm night

A

b. clear, calm night

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59
Q

orchard heaters and wind machines are most useful in preventing damaging low temperatures from occurring next to the ground on

a. clear, calm nights
b. rainy nights
c. clear, windy nights
d. cloudy, snowy nights
e. cloudy, windy nights

A

a. clear, calm nights

60
Q

The gas with the highest concentration in the Earth’s atmosphere is

a. water vapour
b. nitrogen
c. ozone
d. carbon dioxide
e. oxygen

A

b. nitrogen

61
Q

Warmer than average overnight temperatures are probably not associated with

a. cloudy conditions
b. windy conditions
c. humid conditions
d. a strong radiation inversion

A

d. a strong radiation inversion

62
Q

When you observe large changes in the temperature of an object even though only small amounts of energy are added or removed, you might conclude the object has low

a. albedo
b. specific heat
c. density
d. thermal conductivity

A

b. specific heat

63
Q

The temperature of a rising air parcel:

a. always cools due to expansion
b. always warms due to expansion
c. always cools due to compression
d. always warms due to compression
e. remains constant

A

a. always cools due to expansion

64
Q

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:

a. conduction of heat through the interior of the earth
b. concentration of earth’s magnetic field lines at the poles
c. circulation of heat by the atmosphere and oceans
d. the insulating properties of snow
e. release of latent heat to the atmosphere when polar ice melts

A

c. circulation of heat by the atmosphere and oceans

65
Q

Heat transferred from the surface of a planet that has no atmosphere can take place by:

a. all of the above
b. conduction
c. convection
d. latent heat
e. radiation

A

e. radiation

66
Q

The atmospheric greenhouse effect is due primarily to the fact that

a. oxygen and ozone absorb ultraviolet radiation
b. nitrogen and oxygen transmit visible radiation
c. cloud formation releases latent heat energy
d. carbon dioxide and water vapour absorb infrared radiation

A

d. carbon dioxide and water vapour absorb infrared radiation

67
Q

At the time of the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere

a. astronomical winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere
b. the noon sin is over latitude 23.5° south
c. at middle latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the longest night of the year
d. all of these

A

d. all of these

68
Q

The greatest variation in daily temperature usually occurs

a. at the ground
b. about 2 metres above the ground
c. at the top of a high-rise apartment complex
d. at the level where thermals stop rising

A

a. at the ground

69
Q

Assuming that the night will remain clear, calm, and unsaturated, the predicted minimum temperature is 0°C. Suddenly the wind speed increases and remains gusty throughout the night. The minimum temperature will most likely be:

a. higher than predicted due to the release of latent heat
b. higher than predicted due to mixing
c. lower than predicted due to forced convection
d. about the same as predicted, but will occur earlier in the night
e. much lower than predicted due to radiational cooling

A

b. higher than predicted due to mixing

70
Q

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

a. calm, cloudy nights are usually warmer than calm, clear nights
b. each year the earth’s surface radiates away more energy than it recieves from the sun
c. the horizontal transport of heat by the wind is called advection
d. good absorbers of radiation are usually poor emitters of radiation

A

c. good absorbers of radiation are usually poor emitters of radiation

71
Q

The albedo of the earth’s surface is only about 4%, yet the combined albedo of the earth and the atmosphere is about 30%. Which set of conditions below best explains why this is so?

a. high albedo of clouds, low albedo of water
b. high albedo of clouds, high albedo of water
c. low albedo of clouds, low albedo of water
d. low albedo of clouds, high albedo of water

A

a. high albedo of clouds, low albedo of water

72
Q

When we see the moon at night, we are seeing

a. visible light emitted by the moob
b. infrared light emitted by the moon
c. visible light reflected by the moon
d. infrared light emitted by the moon

A

c. visible light reflected by the moon

73
Q

In summer, humid regions typically have ____ daily temperature ranges and ____ maximum temperatures than drier regions.

a. larger, lower
b. smaller, lower
c. smaller, higher
d. larger, higher

A

b. smaller, lower

74
Q

On average, about what percentage of the solar energy that strikes the outer atmosphere eventually is absorbed by the earth’s surface?

a. 70
b. 82
c. 50
d. 30
e. 17
f. 10

A

c. 50

75
Q

Which of the following is not a reason why water warms and cools much more slowly than land?

a. it takes more heat to raise the temperature of a given amount of soil 1°C than it does to raise the temperature of water 1°C.
b. water has a higher heat capacity
c. solar energy penetrates more deeply into water
d. a portion of the solar energy that strikes water is used to evaporate it

A

a. it takes more heat to raise the temperature of a given amount of soil 1°C than it does to raise the temperature of water 1°C.

76
Q

The layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs:

a. heterosphere
b. thermosphere
c. stratosphere
d. mesosphere
e. troposphere

A

e. troposphere

77
Q

Warming in the stratosphere is mainly caused by:
a. absorption of ultraviolet radiation by
ozone gas
b. chemical reactions between ozone and water vapour
c. frictional heating caused by meteorites
d. reflection of infrared radiation
e. release of latent heat energy
during condensation

A

a. absorption of ultraviolet radiation by ozone

78
Q

Which of the following is generally true at night?

a. the earth emits and absorbs energy at equal rates
b. the earth emits more energy than it absorbs
c. the earth does not emit any energy
d. the earth does not absorb any energy

A

b. the earth emits more energy than it absorbs

79
Q

About 50% of the sunlight reaching the top of the atmosphere is

a. absorbed by ozone in the stratosphere
b. reflected or scattered by air molecules and clouds.
c. absorbed at the ground
d. absorbed by the greenhouse gases

A

c. absorbed at the ground

80
Q

The most important reason why summers in the Southern Hemisphere are not warmer than summers in the Northern Hemisphere is that:

a. the earth is closer to the sun in January
b. the earth is farther from the sun in July
c. over 80% of the Southern Hemisphere is covered with water
d. the sun’s energy is less intense in the Southern Hemisphere

A

c. over 80% of the Southern Hemisphere is covered with water.

81
Q

The heat energy released when water vapour changes to a liquid is called

a. latent heat of evaporation
b. latent heat of fusion
c. latent heat of fission
d. latent heat of condensation

A

d. latent heat of condensation

82
Q

Lines connecting points of equal pressure are called

a. thermographs
b. thermals
c. isotherms
d. isobars

A

c. isotherms

83
Q

Which of the following gases are responsible for the atmospheric greenhouse effect in the Earth’s atmosphere?

a. ozone and nitrogen
b. water vapour and carbon dioxide
c. carbon dioxide and ozone
d. oxygen and nitrogen

A

b. water vapour and carbon dioxide

84
Q

The polar regions of Earth radiate away more infrared energy than they receive as sunlight throughout the year. However, the polar regions do not get colder with each succeeding year. Why?

a. the polar snow caps insulate the ground
b. the Earth’s magnetic field generates an electric current that heats the poles
c. the freezing of more ice into icecaps releases latent heat to the air
d. heat conducts to the Earth’s surface from its interior
e. energy is transported to the poles by the atmosphere and the oceans

A

e. energy is transported to the poles by the atmosphere and the oceans

85
Q

Wind machines can prevent surface air temperatures from reaching extremely low readings by

a. blowing smoke over an orchard or field.
b. reducing the rate of cooling by evaporation.
c. mixing surface air with air directly above.
d. increasing the likelihood of condensation on fruits and vegetables.
e. increasing the evaporation rate from fruits and vegetables.

A

c. mixing surface air with air directly above.

86
Q

Which of the following determine the kind (wavelength) and amount of radiation that an object emits?

a. temperature
b. thermal conductivity
c. density
d. latent heat

A

a. temperature

87
Q

An ideal shelter for housing a temperature-measurement instrument should be

a. yellow
b. black
c. white
d. green

A

c. white

88
Q

Solar radiation reaches the earth’s surface as

a. visible radiation only
b. ultraviolet radiation only
c. infrared radiation only
d. visible and infrared radiation only
e. ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation

A

e. ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation

89
Q

The reason that rising saturated air loses temperature at a smaller rate than rising unsaturated air is

a. Saturated air has a higher specific heat
b. Rising saturated air is heavier
c. Rising saturated air is lighter
d. Latent heat is released in rising saturated air
e. Unsaturated air expands more rapidly

A

d. Latent heat is released in rising saturated air

90
Q

Radiation fog forms best on a

a. clear summer night with a strong breeze.
b. cloudy summer night with a slight breeze.
c. cloudy winter night with a strong breeze.
d. clear winter night with a slight breeze.
e. cloudy winter night with a slight breeze.

A

d. clear winter night with a slight breeze.

91
Q

When the upward-directed pressure gradient force is in balance with the downward pull of gravity, the atmosphere is in

a. hydrostatic equilibrium.
b. unstable equilibrium.
c. geostrophic balance.
d. isobaric balance.

A

a. hydrostatic equilibrium.

92
Q

A knowledge of atmospheric stability is important because it determines

a. The vertical motion of the air
b. The movement of storms
c. Seasonal weather patterns
d. Movement of high pressure areas
e. The horizontal motion of the air

A

a. The vertical motion of the air

93
Q

Radiation fog forms when

a. there is a increase in condensation nuclei in air at the ground.
b. air pressure at the ground drops suddenly.
c. water vapour is added to air next to the ground.
d. air next to the ground is cooled.

A

d. air next to the ground is cooled

94
Q

If the earth’s gravitational force were to increase, atmospheric pressure at the ground would

a. increase.
b. decrease.
c. remain the same.
d. cause the atmosphere to expand vertically.

A

a. increase.

95
Q

As the air temperature increases, with no addition of water vapour to the air, the dew point will

a. increase.
b. decrease.
c. increase and become equal to the air temperature.
d. remain the same.

A

d. remain the same.

96
Q

Relative humidity changes with

a. removal of water vapour from the air.
b. decreases in temperature.
c. all of these
d. increases in temperature.
e. addition of water vapour to the air.

A

c. all of these

97
Q

The wind around a surface high pressure centre in the Northern Hemisphere blows

a. counterclockwise and outward from the centre.
b. counterclockwise and inward toward the centre.
c. clockwise and outward from the centre.
d. clockwise and inward toward the centre.

A

c. clockwise and outward from the centre.

98
Q

Mercury is used in barometers primarily because of which one of the following properties?

a. mercury is a good conductor of electricity
b. mercury doesn’t freeze
c. mercury is a good conductor of heat
d. mercury has a high density

A

d. mercury has a high density

99
Q

_______ occupy or cover approximately 70% of the earth’s surface.

a. Clouds
b. Cities
c. Oceans
d. Forests

A

c. Oceans

100
Q

The rate of the earth’s rotation determines the strength of the

a. pressure gradient force.
b. Coriolis force.
c. frictional force.
d. gravitational force.

A

b. Coriolis force

101
Q

If water vapour comprises 3.5% of an air parcel whose total pressure is 1000 hPa, the water vapour pressure would be

a. 965 hPa.
b. 35 hPa.
c. 1035 hPa.
d. 350 hPa.

A

b. 35 hPa.

102
Q

Low ____ on a constant height chart corresponds to low ____ on a constant pressure chart.

a. pressures, pressures
b. pressures, heights
c. heights, pressures
d. heights, heights

A

b. pressures, heights

103
Q

Dew is most likely to form on

a. rainy nights.
b. cloudy, windy nights.
c. clear, windy nights.
d. cloudy, calm nights.
e. clear, calm nights.

A

e. clear, calm nights.

104
Q

Which of the following combinations produces the strongest Coriolis force?

a. fast winds and low latitude
b. fast winds and high latitude
c. slow winds and low latitude
d. slow winds and high latitude

A

b. fast winds and high latitude

105
Q

In the Northern Hemisphere, the surface wind blows ________ and _________ a centre of low pressure.

a. Anticlockwise; away from
b. Clockwise; away from
c. Anticlockwise; into
d. Clockwise; into

A

c. Anticlockwise; into

106
Q

With which set of conditions of Air Temperature (°C), Relative Humidity and Wind Speed would you expect wet laundry hanging outdoors on a clothesline to dry most quickly?

a. 10 75% 20 m/s
b. 20 50% 20 m/s
c. 20 75% 10 m/s
d. 20 75% 20 m/s
e. 10 50% 10 m/s

A

b. 20 50% 20 m/s

107
Q

If the environmental lapse rate is less than the moist adiabatic lapse rate, the atmosphere is

a. Absolutely unstable
b. Neutral
c. Absolutely stable
d. Conditionally stable

A

c. Absolutely stable

108
Q

At 10°C, the atmosphere is saturated with water vapour. If the air temperature increases to 20°C, with no addition or removal of water vapour, one may conclude that the dew point is about

a. 10°C.
b. 30°C.
c. 5°C.
d. 20°C

A

a. 10°C.

109
Q

If very cold air is brought indoors and warmed with no change in its moisture content, the saturation vapour pressure of this air will ___________ and the relative humidity of this air will ________.

a. increase, increase
b. increase, decrease
c. decrease, decrease
d. decrease, increase

A

b. increase, decrease

110
Q

When a cloudy, saturated air parcel is rising freely,

a. The dew point temperature stays constsnt
b. The parcel temperature is higher than the surrounding air temperature
c. Its temperature is decreasing faster than in an unsaturated parcel
d. Its temperature increases due to condensation heating

A

b. The parcel temperature is higher than the surrounding air temperature

111
Q

The pressure gradient force is directed from higher pressure toward lower pressure

a. only at the equator.
b. at all places on earth except for the equator.
c. only in the Northern Hemisphere.
d. only in the Southern Hemisphere.
e. at all places on earth.

A

e. at all places on earth.

112
Q

Which of the following statements is not correct concerning the Coriolis force?

a. It causes the winds to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere
b. It is strongest at the equator
c. It can cause winds to change direction, but not to increase or decrease in speed
d. It deflects winds in opposite directions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

A

b. It is strongest at the equator

113
Q

The force that would cause a stationary parcel of air to begin to move horizontally is called the

a. Coriolis force.
b. pressure gradient force.
c. centripetal force.
d. frictional force.

A

b. pressure gradient force.

114
Q

The cooling of the ground to produce dew is mainly the result of

a. conduction.
b. cooling due to the release of latent heat.
c. advection.
d. radiational cooling.

A

d. radiational cooling.

115
Q

For a given pressure difference between two points, the pressure gradient force _________ as the distance between the two points decreases.

a. Remains constant
b. Increases
c. Decreases

A

b. Increases

116
Q

As the difference between the air temperature and the dew point increases, the relative humidity

a. remains constant at a value less than 100%.
b. increases.
c. remains constant and equal to 100%.
d. decreases.

A

d. decreases.

117
Q

The percentage of water vapour present in the air compared to that required for saturation is the

a. specific humidity.
b. dew point.
c. mixing ratio.
d. relative humidity.
e. absolute humidity.

A

d. relative humidity.

118
Q

A ____ usually indicates clearing weather or fair weather.

a. constant pressure
b. steadily rising pressure
c. steadily falling pressure
d. fluctuating pressure

A

b. steadily rising pressure

119
Q

When the air temperature increases, the saturation vapour pressure will

a. decrease.
b. remain the same.
c. increase.
d. vary over an increasingly broad range of values.

A

c. increase.

120
Q

Trade winds develop in

a. Latitudes between 0° and 30°
b. At the poles
c. Latitudes between 30° and 60°
d. Latitudes between 6° and 90°

A

a. Latitudes between 0° and 30°

121
Q

A wind blowing at a constant speed parallel to straight line isobars with the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force in balance is called a

a. gradient wind.
b. meridional wind.
c. geostrophic wind.
d. cyclostrophic wind.
e. zonal wind.

A

c. geostrophic wind.

122
Q

For the same wind speed, the Coriolis force near the South Pole is ________ than that near the equator.

a. Greater than
b. Equal to
c. Smaller than

A

a. Greater than

123
Q

The atmosphere around the earth would rush off into space if the vertical pressure gradient force were not balanced by

a. the Coriolis force.
b. the horizontal pressure gradient force.
c. gravity.
d. the centripetal force.
e. friction.

A

c. gravity.

124
Q

Which of the following would cause relative humidity to decrease?

a. warming the air
b. increasing the actual water vapour pressure
c. decreasing the saturation water vapour pressure
d. cooling the air

A

a. warming the air

125
Q

Which of the following forces does not have a direct effect on horizontal wind motions?

a. pressure gradient force
b. frictional force
c. gravitational force
d. Coriolis force

A

c. gravitational force

126
Q

Frost forms when

a. the dew point is 0°C or below.
b. water vapour changes into ice without first becoming a liquid.
c. all of these.
d. objects on the ground cool below the dew point temperature.

A

c. all of these.

127
Q

As the air temperature increases, the air’s capacity for water vapour

a. decreases.
b. increases.
c. remains constant.
d. is unrelated to air temperature and can either increase or decrease.

A

b. increases.

128
Q

On a cold, winter morning the most likely place for radiation fog to form is

a. along the side of a hill.
b. in a valley.
c. at the top of a hill or mountain.
d. over a body of water.

A

b. in a valley.

129
Q

The rate of the earth’s rotation determines the strength of the:

a. pressure gradient force.
b. Coriolis force.
c. frictional force.
d. gravitational force.

A

b. Coriolis force

130
Q

If you observe large raindrops hitting the ground, you could probably say that the cloud overhead was __________ and had _________ updrafts.

a. thin, strong
b. thin, weak
c. thick, strong
d. thick, weak

A

c. thick, strong

131
Q

Many of the world’s deserts are found near 30° latitude because:

a. of sinking air found near the polar front.
b. of the sinking air of the subtropical highs.
c. of the convergence of the prevailing westerlies and the Northeast Trades.
d. the intertropical convergence zone is located there.

A

b. of the sinking air of the subtropical highs.

132
Q

When the environmental lapse rate decreases more rapidly with height than the dry adiabatic rate, the atmosphere is:

a. convectively unstable.
b. conditionally unstable.
c. absolutely unstable.
d. absolutely stable.

A

c. absolutely unstable

133
Q

Incoming solar radiation in middle latitudes is less in winter than in summer because:

a. the sun’s rays slant more and spread their energy over a larger area.
b. there is a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
c. the cold dense air lowers the intensity of the sun’s rays.
d. the earth is furthest from the sun.

A

a. the sun’s rays slant more and spread their energy over a larger area.

134
Q

Snow will usually melt on the roof of a home that is a:

a. good radiator of heat.
b. good conductor of heat.
c. poor radiator of heat.
d. poor conductor of heat.

A

b. good conductor of heat

135
Q

The most recent warming trend experienced over the Northern Hemisphere could be the result of:

a. a decrease in the energy emitted by the sun.
b. light colored particles in the stratosphere.
c. increasing volcanic eruptions.
d. increasing levels of greenhouse gases.
e. an observed decrease in snow cover.

A

d. increasing levels of greenhouse gases

136
Q

The strongest winds in a tropical cyclone are found:

a. at the centre of the storm.
b. in the eye wall.
c. in the rain bands.
d. at upper levels, above the centre of the tropical cyclone.
e. near the periphery of the tropical cyclone.

A

b. in the eye wall.

137
Q

The El Nino is:

a. Unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific
b. Upwelling of sea water along the coast of Peru
c. Dry conditions throughout eastern Australia
d. Unusually cold sea surface temperatures in the tropics

A

a. Unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific

138
Q

Record breaking low temperatures are associated with which air mass?

a. continental polar
b. maritime tropical
c. maritime polar
d. continental tropical

A

a. continental polar

139
Q

It is now known that, overall, clouds:

a. have a net warming effect on climate.
b. have a net cooling effect on climate.
c. are the single most important feature in determining climate.
d. have no net effect on climate.

A

b. have a net cooling effect on climate.

140
Q

A good source region for an air mass would be:

a. mountains with deep valleys and strong surface winds.
b. generally flat area of uniform composition with strong surface winds.
c. hilly with deep valleys and light winds.
d. generally flat areas of uniform composition with light surface winds.

A

d. generally flat areas of uniform composition with light surface winds.

141
Q

The wind shear associated with several major airline crashes is believed to have been caused by:

a. microbursts.
b. dry lines.
c. the jet stream.
d. mesocyclones.

A

a. microbursts.

142
Q

A relatively narrow downburst, less than 4 kilometres wide, is called:

a. a microburst.
b. a funnel cloud.
c. a rain shaft.
d. a narrow burst.
e. a mesocyclone.

A

a. a microburst.

143
Q

In the three-cell model of the general circulation, areas of surface low pressure should be found at:

a. the equator and 60° latitude.
b. the equator and 30° latitude.
c. 30° latitude and the poles.
d. 30° latitude and 60° latitude.
e. the equator and the poles.

A

a. the equator and 60° latitude.

143
Q

In the three-cell model of the general circulation, areas of surface low pressure should be found at:

a. the equator and 60° latitude.
b. the equator and 30° latitude.
c. 30° latitude and the poles.
d. 30° latitude and 60° latitude.
e. the equator and the poles.

A

a. the equator and 60° latitude.

144
Q

Low ____ on a constant height chart corresponds to low ____ on a constant pressure chart.

a. pressures, pressures
b. pressures, heights
c. heights, pressures
d. heights, heights

A

b. pressures, heights

145
Q

Which of the following is known primarily as a selective absorber of ultraviolet radiation?

a. carbon dioxide
b. ozone
c. water vapour
d. clouds

A

b. ozone

146
Q

A wind blowing at a constant speed parallel to straight line isobars with the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force in balance is called a:

a. gradient wind.
b. meridional wind.
c. geostrophic wind.
d. cyclostrophic wind.
e. zonal wind.

A

c. geostrophic wind.

ENV242 - Atmosphere and Climate Science (49 decks)

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