Atmospheric Science Concepts Assessment

What is the primary cause of global atmospheric circulation?

• The Earth's core temperature

• The Earth's gravity

• The Earth's magnetic field

• The Earth's rotation

What is the main source of heat for the Earth?

• Volcanic activity

• Geothermal energy

• The Sun

• The Moon

How does the curvature of the Earth affect solar radiation distribution?

• It causes more radiation to be absorbed at the poles

• It spreads radiation over a larger area at higher latitudes

• It concentrates radiation at the poles

• It has no effect on radiation distribution

What happens to solar radiation as it travels through the atmosphere near the poles?

• It gets scattered and absorbed

• It remains unchanged

• It increases in intensity

• It gets concentrated

Why do polar regions experience continuous darkness during winter?

• Because of the Earth's tilt

• Because of the Earth's rotation

• Because of the Earth's magnetic field

• Because of the Earth's gravity

What is albedo?

• The amount of heat absorbed by the Earth's surface

• The reflectivity of the Earth's surface

• The amount of heat emitted by the Earth's surface

• The amount of solar radiation received by the Earth's surface

What is the effect of snow and ice on solar radiation?

• They reflect most of the radiation

• They absorb most of the radiation

• They have no effect on the radiation

• They scatter the radiation

What is the thermal gradient between the equator and the poles?

• A difference in humidity

• A difference in wind speed

• A difference in pressure

• A difference in temperature

What is the role of global circulation patterns?

• To create more deserts

• To redistribute heat across the Earth

• To decrease the temperature at the poles

• To increase the temperature at the equator

How many large atmospheric cells exist in each hemisphere?

• One

• Two

• Four

• Three