Climate Quiz 5

Compared to the rest of the year, in December the Northern Hemisphere is:

• much farther from the sun.

• wobbling more on its axis.

• getting the same amount of sunlight.

• getting less direct sunlight.

• getting more direct sunlight.

Answer explanation

In December, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, resulting in less direct sunlight compared to other months. This is why the correct answer is 'getting less direct sunlight.'

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The wobble of the Earth on its axis is called:

• precession.

• eccentricity.

• obliquity.

• insolation.

Answer explanation

The wobble of the Earth on its axis is known as precession. This phenomenon occurs due to gravitational forces exerted by the Sun and the Moon on Earth's equatorial bulge, causing a slow change in the orientation of Earth's axis.

When is the length of the day about the same as the night almost everywhere?

• The tilt of the Earth means that the days are always longer in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere.

• Approximately March 22, the Spring Equinox.

• It is not possible because it is always dark at the North Pole.

• At the Equinox and the Solstice.

• Approximately June 21, the Summer Solstice.

Answer explanation

The length of day and night is approximately equal during the Spring Equinox, around March 22, when the Earth's tilt is such that sunlight is distributed evenly across the planet.

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The combined effects of the axial and orbital precession cycle affect:

• the phases of the moon.

• the shape of the Earth’s orbit about the Sun.

• the shape of the Moon’s orbit about the Earth.

• the degree of tilt of the Earth’s rotation axis.

• the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth.

Answer explanation

The axial and orbital precession cycles influence the Earth's climate by altering the distribution of sunlight received, affecting seasons and temperature patterns, thus impacting the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth.

The change of the Earth's orbit from near circular to somewhat elliptical is called:

• eccentricity.

• obliquity.

• precession.

• insolation.

Answer explanation

Eccentricity refers to the measure of how much an orbit deviates from being circular. The Earth's orbit changes from nearly circular to elliptical, which is described by its eccentricity.

The change of the Earth's tilt over tens of thousands of years is called:

• insolation.

• precession.

• eccentricity.

• obliquity.

Answer explanation

The change of the Earth's tilt over tens of thousands of years is known as obliquity. This term specifically refers to the angle of the Earth's axial tilt, which affects climate and seasons.

The amount of sunlight reaching earth because of a combination of factors is called:

• obliquity.

• eccentricity.

• precession.

• insolation.

Answer explanation

Insolation refers to the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface, influenced by factors like angle of sunlight and atmospheric conditions. The other terms—obliquity, eccentricity, and precession—relate to Earth's movements, not sunlight.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The Milankovitch Cycles describe the combined effects of:

• insolation, orbital variations and the inverse-square law on climate.

• obliquity, eccentricity and precession on insolation.

• radiation, obliquity and insolation on climate.

• precession, eccentricity and obliquity on the tilt of the Earth.

Answer explanation

The Milankovitch Cycles involve the variations in Earth's orbit, specifically obliquity (tilt), eccentricity (shape), and precession (wobble), which affect insolation (solar radiation received), thus influencing climate.

How does the Gulf Stream affect London, England?

• London is warmer than it should be, based on its latitude.

• London is colder than it should be, based on its latitude.

• The Gulf Stream has no affect on London’s climate.

• Snowier than it should be, based on its latitude.

• Drier than it should be, based on its latitude.

Answer explanation

The Gulf Stream warms the waters of the North Atlantic, which in turn moderates the climate of nearby regions. As a result, London experiences milder temperatures than expected for its latitude, making it warmer than it should be.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

If the Gulf Stream stopped flowing, how would the climate of northern European cities like London change?

• The climate would not change.

• The climate would get drier.

• The climate would get warmer.

• The climate would get colder.

• The climate would produce more rain instead of snow.

Answer explanation

If the Gulf Stream stopped, it would disrupt the warm ocean currents that moderate northern Europe's climate. This would likely lead to a colder climate in cities like London, making winters harsher.

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