Earth Science: Insolation

Evidence supports the idea that increases in carbon dioxide and methane in Earth’s atmosphere are major contributors to global warming. This is based primarily on the fact that carbon dioxide and methane are excellent absorbers of

• gamma waves
• microwaves
• visible light
• infrared radiation

An increase in which gas in Earth’s atmosphere will most significantly increase global temperatures?

• methane
• oxygen
• nitrogen
• hydrogen

Very cold climates occur at Earth’s North and South Poles because the polar regions

• are usually farthest from the Sun
• absorb the greatest amount of insolation
• receive the most hours of daylight
• receive low-angle insolation

The ozone layer helps life on Earth because ozone

• modifies the normal El Niño weather pattern
• reflects insolation from the Sun
• reflects insolation from the Sun
• deflects winds from a straight line to a curved path

During nighttime cooling, most of the energy radiated by Earth’s oceans into space is

• ultraviolet rays
• gamma rays
• visible light rays
• infrared rays

On which day of the year would the intensity of insolation at Kingston, New York, most likely be greatest?

• March 21
• June 21
• September 21
• December 21

A gradual increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide would warm Earth’s atmosphere because carbon dioxide is a

• poor reflector of ultraviolet radiation
• good reflector of ultraviolet radiation
• poor absorber of infrared radiation
• good absorber of infrared radiation

Which source provides the most energy for atmospheric weather changes?

• radiation from the Sun
• radioactivity from Earth's interior
• heat stored in ocean water
• heat stored in polar ice caps

Locations in the Northern Hemisphere are warmest in summer because sunlight in summer is

• least intense and of shortest duration
• least intense and of longest duration
• most intense and of shortest duration
• most intense and of longest duration

The primary method of energy transfer by which Earth loses energy to outer space is

• radiation
• conduction
• convection
• transpiration