Understanding Solar Radiation and Earth's Energy Balance

What does intensity measure in the context of waves?

• The color of the wave

• The frequency of the wave

• The amount of energy per unit area

• The speed of the wave

How does the distance from a light source affect its intensity?

• Intensity increases with distance

• Intensity decreases with distance

• Intensity doubles with distance

• Intensity remains constant

What is the solar constant?

• The temperature of the sun's surface

• The average intensity of solar radiation at Earth's distance from the sun

• The average distance from the Earth to the sun

• The total energy output of the sun

How does the inverse square law relate to solar intensity?

• Intensity is inversely proportional to distance

• Intensity is directly proportional to distance

• Intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance

• Intensity is unaffected by distance

What is albedo?

• The amount of energy absorbed by a surface

• The amount of energy reflected by a surface

• The total energy emitted by a surface

• The energy lost to space

Which surface has the highest albedo?

• Snow

• Desert

• Ocean

• Forest

How can humans alter albedo to combat climate change?

• By reducing the Earth's surface area

• By increasing the reflectivity of surfaces

• By painting surfaces darker

• By increasing greenhouse gas emissions

What role do greenhouse gases play in Earth's temperature regulation?

• They cool the Earth's surface

• They block all sunlight

• They absorb and re-emit infrared radiation

• They reflect all solar radiation

Which gas is not primarily controlled by human activities but affects the greenhouse effect?

• Carbon dioxide

• Methane

• Water vapor

• Nitrous oxide

What is the main source of increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

• Ocean evaporation

• Deforestation

• Burning of fossil fuels

• Volcanic eruptions