Atmosphere & Climate Change

What is the primary gas found in Earth's atmosphere?

• Carbon Dioxide

• Nitrogen

• Oxygen

• Argon

Weather is a region's

• the long-term prevailing atmospheric conditions

• determined only by seasonal daylight hours

• the atmospheric conditions on a given day

• never affected by ocean currents

Elevation is a factor in climate because under most conditions

• temperature falls as elevation increases

• temperature rises as elevation increases

• temperature is not affected by elevation

• snowfall is unlikely at high elevation

Seasonal changed in daylight hours and climatic conditions are caused by

• the annual change of distance from sun to Earth

• ocean currents

• lunar phases

• the 23.5 degree tilt of Earth's axis

The ozone layer protects living organisms on Earth by

• enhancing solar energy

• blocking solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation

• blocking solar infrared (IR) radiation

• preventing escape of water vapor

Though CFC production has been curtailed, the threat to upper atmospheric ozone continues because CFCs

• become harmless quickly

• break down ozone for only a short time

• persist but stop breaking down ozone

• persist and continue to break down ozone for decades

Which of the following does not reduce CO2 in the atmosphere?

• animal respiration

• tropical rain forest

• oceans

• phytoplankton

Which of the following would not be a consequence of an increase in global temperature?

• increased frequency of major droughts

• increased frequency of major storms

• increased polar ice mass

• rising sea levels

The average global temperature has _____ during the 20th century.

• remained the same

• increased every year

• risen some years and fallen other years but has increased overall

• risen some years and fallen other years but has decreased over all

Which of the following gases is MOST responsible for the greenhouse effect?

• nitrous oxide

• methane

• oxygen

• water vapor