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WorksheetsInsolation
Total questions: 21
Worksheet time: 12mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Which group of substances is arranged in order of decreasing specific heat values?
a)
Iron, granite, basalt
b)
Copper, lead, iron
c)
dry air, water vapor, iceOption 3 (optional)
d)
Liquid water, ice, water vapor
2.
The diagram below indicates regions of daylight and darkness on Earth on the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Four latitudes are labeled A, B, C, and D.
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
d)
D
3.
Which process is responsible for the greatest loss of energy from Earth’s surface into space on a clear night?
a)
Condensation
b)
Conduction
c)
Radiation
d)
Convection
4.
If the tilt of Earth’s axis were increased from 23.5° to 30°, summers in New York State would become
a)
Cooler, and winters would become cooler
b)
Cooler, and winters would become warmer
c)
Warmer, and winters would become cooler
d)
Warmer, and winters would become warmer
5.
Base your answers to questions 21 and 22 on the diagram below, which represents an exaggerated model of the shape of Earth’s orbit, and on your knowledge of Earth science. The positions of Earth in its orbit on December 21 and June 21 are indicated. The positions of perihelion (when Earth is closest to the Sun) and aphelion (when Earth is farthest from the Sun) are also indicated. Both perihelion and aphelion occur approximately two weeks after the dates shown.
a)
6 months
b)
2 months
c)
12 months
d)
8 months
6.
During the month of January, at which location in New York State is the Sun lowest in the sky at solar noon?
a)
Massena
b)
Niagara Falls
c)
Utica
d)
New York City
7.
Positions 1, 2, and 3 in the diagram below represent the noon Sun above the horizon on three different days during the year, as viewed from Binghamton, New York. At which position was the noon Sun on January 21, as viewed from Binghamton?
a)
Above position 1
b)
Below position 3
c)
Between position 1 and position 2
d)
Between position 2 and position 3
8.
The diagram below represents the apparent path of the Sun as seen by an observer at 65° N on March 21.
a)
9 a.m.
b)
11 a.m.
c)
3 p.m.
d)
6 p.m.
9.
Equal areas of which surface will absorb the most insolation?
a)
Partially melted snowfield
b)
Blacktop parking lot
c)
White sand beach
d)
Lake surface
10.
Most of which type of electromagnetic radiation is given off by Earth’s surface at night?
a)
gamma rays
b)
ultraviolet light
c)
visible light
d)
infrared rays
11.
The diagram below represents Earth as viewed from space. Letter A represents the approximate angle of tilt between Earth’s rotational axis and a line (XY) perpendicular to the plane of Earth’s orbit. What is the value of the angle represented by letter A?
a)
15.0°
b)
23.5°
c)
24.5°
d)
30.0°
12.
Base your answers to questions 42 through 44 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents Earth in its orbit around the Sun. Locations A through D represent four positions of Earth in its orbit. Earth is closest to the Sun (perihelion) at position A, and farthest from the Sun (aphelion) at position C. At which position is the gravitational attraction between the Sun and Earth the greatest?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
d)
D
13.
Which change in seasons occurs in the Northern Hemisphere at position D?
a)
Winter is ending and spring is beginning.
b)
Spring is ending and summer is beginning.
c)
Summer is ending and fall is beginning.
d)
Fall is ending and winter is beginning.
14.
Base your answers to questions 45 through 47 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents the apparent path of the Sun as observed at four locations, A through D, on Earth’s surface on the same date. The present positions of the Sun represent the same time of day at each location. The zenith (the position directly overhead) is shown for an observer at each location. [Diagrams are not drawn to scale.] What is the approximate time of day represented at each location?
a)
6:00 a.m.
b)
9:00 a.m.
c)
3:00 p.m.
d)
6:00 p.m.
15.
During the course of the day, which location had the greatest intensity of insolation at solar noon?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
d)
D
16.
Based on the Sun’s apparent path, where is location D?
a)
equator
b)
Tropic of Cancer
c)
Tropic of Capricorn
d)
North Pole
17.
Equal areas of which type of surface will reflect the most insolation?
a)
light gray rooftop Option 1*
b)
dark tropical forest
c)
snow-covered field
d)
black paved road
18.
Which diagram best represents how greenhouse gases in our atmosphere trap heat energy?
a)
1
b)
2
c)
3
d)
4
19.
Base your answers to questions 28 through 30 on the diagrams below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagrams, labeled A, B, and C, represent equal-sized portions of the Sun’s rays striking Earth’s surface at 23.5° N latitude at noon at three different times of the year. The angle at which the Sun’s rays hit Earth’s surface and the relative areas of Earth’s surface receiving the rays at the three different angles of insolation are shown. As viewed in sequence from A to B to C, these diagrams represent which months and which change in the intensity of insolation?
a)
December → March → June; and decreasing intensity
b)
December → March → June; and increasing intensity
c)
June → September → December; and decreasing intensity
d)
June → September → December; and increasing intensity
20.
As the angle of the Sun’s rays striking Earth’s surface at noon changes from 90° to 43°, the length of a shadow cast by an object will
a)
Decrease
b)
Increase
c)
Decrease, then increase
d)
Increase, then decrease
21.
Which graph best shows the duration of insolation at this location as the angle of insolation changes?
a)
1
b)
2
c)
3
d)
4
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