Climate and Earth Science Quiz

What is the atmosphere?

• A layer of gases that surrounds a planet or moon

• The solid surface of the Earth

• The water bodies on Earth

• The core of the Earth

How often does the regular solar cycle, or sunspot cycle, occur?

• Every 5 years

• Every 11 years

• Every 20 years

• Every 50 years

Using Figure 7.6 as a source, explain how latitude affects climate.

• Latitude has no effect on climate

• Latitude affects the angle and intensity of sunlight

• Latitude only affects the climate at the equator

• Latitude affects only the wind patterns

What is the term used to describe the collective mass of water found on, under, and over the surface of Earth?

• Atmosphere

• Lithosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Biosphere

How do large bodies of water affect temperature changes in the atmosphere?

• They have a low specific heat capacity.

• They act as heat reservoirs.

• They reflect solar energy.

• They absorb all solar radiation.

What role do jet streams play in weather patterns?

• They cause ocean currents to change direction.

• They influence precipitation and dry weather.

• They increase the Earth's temperature.

• They decrease the Earth's albedo.

How might the formation of mountain chains affect climate?

• They have no effect on climate.

• They can block wind and affect precipitation patterns.

• They increase the Earth's temperature uniformly.

• They decrease the Earth's temperature uniformly.

Which process involves the transfer of thermal energy by the movement of energized molecules?

• Radiation

• Conduction

• Convection

• Reflection

What effect does global warming have on ocean salinity in polar regions?

• Increases salinity

• Decreases salinity

• No effect on salinity

• Causes salinity to fluctuate

How is the energy that Earth absorbs different from the energy that Earth emits?

• Earth absorbs more energy than it emits

• Earth emits more energy than it absorbs

• Earth absorbs shortwave radiation and emits longwave radiation

• Earth absorbs longwave radiation and emits shortwave radiation