Interractions of the sun, water and air STUDY GUIDE

Climate scientists study Earth's atmosphere as far back as 800,000 years ago by studying data from ice cores. To get this data, scientists drill deep into glaciers, remove ice cores, and analyze the air bubbles trapped in the ice. The composition of the air trapped in the ice gives the scientists a snapshot of the atmospheric conditions that were present when the air bubble was formed. The graph shows data scientists collected on the carbon dioxide (CO₂) content of the atmosphere over the past 1,000 years.

The graph shows the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels over time. Which statement best describes carbon dioxide gas?

• Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, and increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can cause Earth to trap more solar energy.

• Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, and increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can cause Earth to trap less solar energy.

• Carbon dioxide is a noble gas, and increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can cause Earth to trap more solar energy.

• Carbon dioxide is a noble gas, and increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can cause Earth to trap less solar energy.

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Tanya makes a table with the weather conditions at a body of water for five days.

What day did the body of water most likely evaporate the fastest?

• Monday

• Tuesday

• Thursday

• Friday

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What can be concluded from the image?

• Most of the freshwater on Earth is found in oceans.

• Most of the water available on Earth is not drinkable.

• Most of the water available on Earth is drinkable.

• Most of the freshwater on Earth is found as groundwater.

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To demonstrate part of the water cycle, a science teacher taped a sealed plastic bag containing water on a window in the classroom, as shown in the diagram.

After a few hours in the sunlight, tiny drops of water formed near the top of the bag. How does this model illustrate the role of the Sun in the water cycle?

• It shows how the Sun's energy causes warm salt water to sink in the ocean as it heats up, creating ocean currents.

• It shows how the Sun's energy causes water vapor to heat up as it rises higher in the atmosphere, making precipitation.

• It shows how the Sun's energy causes water vapor to condense on Earth's surface as it cools, creating lakes and ponds.

• It shows how the Sun's energy causes water to evaporate from Earth's surface, making clouds in the atmosphere as it cools

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The picture below shows a model of the water cycle in an aquarium.

What would happen if a second lamp were added to the experiment?

• There would be less condensation produced.

• The clay would soak up more of the water.

• The ice would melt slower, producing fewer drops of water.

• The ice would melt and water would evaporate faster.

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What symbolizes a seamount?

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 8

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The graph shows the relationship between the salinity and depth of cold ocean water.

Based on this graph, where would you expect to find the most saline ocean water?

• far below the surface of the ocean because salinity increases as depth below sea level increases

• far below the surface of the ocean because salinity increases as depth below sea level decreases

• right at the surface of the ocean because salinity increases as depth below sea level increases

• right at the surface of the ocean because salinity increases as depth below sea level decreases

Which of the following best explains why surface currents turn in opposite directions above and below the equator?

• Surface currents are affected by the rotation of Earth, and this is called the Coriolis effect.

• Surface currents are affected by the rotation of Earth, and this is called the circular effect.

• The density of the water above and below the equator line is opposite, causing the currents to rotate in opposite directions.

• The temperature of the water above and below the equator is opposite, causing the currents to rotate in opposite directions.

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How does temperature affect ocean currents?

• Cold water moves fast and will sink. As the water warms up, it slows down and will rise to the surface.

• Warm water moves fast and will sink. As the water cools down, it slows down and will rise to the surface.

• Cold water is dense and will sink. As the water warms up, it becomes less dense and will rise to the surface.

• Warm water is dense and will sink. As the water cools down, it becomes less dense and will rise to the surface.

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The following map shows the movement of heat throughout the global ocean.

Based on the map, which of the following statements best summarizes the movement of heat through the world's oceans?

• Warm water moves slower than the cool water.

• Warm water moves from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

• Cold water moves away from the equator and picks up heat near the poles.

• Heat energy is transported from areas near the equator to areas near the poles.

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