Energy & Matter in the Atmosphere

How does energy from the Sun travel to Earth?

• through radiation

• through convection

• through conduction

Which lists three parts of sunlight that make up some of the visible spectrum?

• green, blue, indigo

• infrared, red, orange

• ultraviolet, infrared, electromagnetic

Look at the diagram showing the different wavelengths in sunlight. Which has a wavelength of 350 nanometers?

• red light

• violet light

• ultraviolet light

How do the magnetic and electrical components of electromagnetic waves travel in relation to each other?

• at right angles

• toward each other

• in a circular motion

Which color of visible light has the shortest wavelength?

• green

• violet

• red

What causes different colors to appear in the sky?

• the scattering and reflection of light by dust particles

• the absorption of light by air molecules

• the reflection of light by bodies of water

What percent of solar radiation is filtered by clouds and may cause sunburn on cloudy days?

• 3 percent

• 14 percent

• 22 percent

Which interaction contributes to the greenhouse effect?

• Gases in the atmosphere absorb heat.

• Dust particles scatter and reflect light from the Sun.

• Green visible light is trapped in Earth’s atmosphere.

Why is the sky orange and red at sunrise and sunset?

• Gases absorb orange and red light.

• Blue wavelengths are absorbed by the atmosphere.

• The thick atmosphere scatters all but longer wavelengths.

How do ice and water on the ground affect incoming solar radiation?

• They filter 22 percent of solar radiation that reaches the surface.

• They reflect 4 percent of solar radiation that reaches the surface.

• They absorb 100 percent of solar radiation that reaches the surface.