WorksheetsU8L1E2: Understanding Earth's Climate
Total questions: 36
Worksheet time: 19mins
Seasonal changes in daylight hours and climatic conditions are caused by
the annual change of distance from sun to Earth.
ocean currents.
lunar phases.
the 23.5 degree tilt of Earth's axis.
Which of the following does not reduce CO2 in the atmosphere?
A
respiration
tropical rain forests
oceans
phytoplankton
How does the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere affect climate?
As carbon dioxide concentrations increase, temperature increase.
As carbon dioxide concentration increase, temperatures decrease.
As carbon dioxide concentrations increase, temperatures become more random.
Carbon dioxide concentrations have no effect on climate.
Why are the coldest places on earth found at the poles?
great amount of gaseous particles trap heat from the surface
great amount of thermal radiation is received by these areas
less amount of thermal radiation is received by these areas
less amount of gaseous particles trap heat from the surface
Which part of the earth receives most of the sun’s rays?
South Hemisphere
North Hemisphere
Equator
Western Hemisphere
Which of the following statements describes what happens when the sun heats water and land?
Land heats more slowly than water does.
Water heats more slowly than land does.
Water and Land absorb heat from the sun at the same rate.
Both absorb heat at the same rate, but water releases it faster.
On a beach, the wind direction during the day is usually the reverse of wind direction at night. Which of the following statements best explains this?
There is more water in the sea than on land.
Land heats up faster than water during the day and it also cools faster at night.
The water remains at about the same temperature all throughout the day.
This is usually an indication that an El Niño event is under way.
What are four factors that affect climate?
latitude
proximity (closeness) to large body of water
earthquakes
ocean currents
elevation
The following are factors affecting climate EXCEPT;
Latitude
Ocean currents
Earthquake
Mountain barriers
Which of the following has caused repeating 100,000-year cycles of ice ages in the past?
an increase in sun spots
several major volcanic eruptions
changes in Earth's orbit and the tilt of its axis
continental drift
A large volcanic eruption that emits high gas/ash into the atmosphere can have what type of effect on the Earth's climate?
It can warm the climate
It can cool the climate
The climate stays the same
According to the data, how many cooling periods occurred during the past 400,000 years?
2
3
4
5
The shape of Earth’s orbit goes from more circular to …
Perfectly circular
Oval-shaped
Rectangular
None of the above
Scientists believe continental drift over Earth’s geological history has had a significant impact on Earth’s cycles of warmer and cooler climates. Which statement describes a characteristic of Earth’s continents that is most likely to cause changes in global climate when continents drift?
The location of the continent affects amount of sunlight reflected.
Continental plate depth determines its specific heat.
Continental drift absorbs large amounts of kinetic energy.
Continental drift absorbs large amounts of kinetic energy.
What is the primary energy source driving circulation of ocean currents on Earth?
geothermal heating
planetary rotation
solar heating
lunar tidal forces
Because water is able to exist in the liquid phase on Earth, water helps to moderate temperatures across the entire planet. Which statement best illustrates how water moderates temperature on Earth?
The movement of water creates heat.
Ocean currents circulate heat away from the equator.
Ocean currents have no affect on temperature moderation.
Ocean currents move cold water toward the poles.
In the Sahara Desert of Africa, great sandstorms stir dust into the atmosphere where it travels west across the Atlantic Ocean. This dust can affect the chemical composition of water and soil, decrease air quality, and impact climate as far away as the Caribbean and Florida. Which is the most likely way Saharan dust impacts climate in southern Florida?
Dust reflects solar radiation, cooling the surface.
Dust absorbs moisture in the clouds, reducing rainfall.
Dust decreases static discharge, preventing lightning storms.
Dust slows airflow, causing weather systems to stall over land.
Which of the following is evidence that global warming is a positive feedback loop?
Global warming creates changes that slow down the warming of Earth.
Global warming melts glaciers which decrease albedo, leading to increased sunlight absorption.
Global warming melts glaciers which increases albedo, leading to increased sunlight absorption.
Global warming melts glaciers, cooler temperatures increases albedo, leading to decreased sunlight absorption.
This graph shows that
Earth's temperature has maintained a cyclical pattern, warming approx every 100,000 years
Earth's temperature has always been warmer than the present
Earth's temperature has always been colder than the present
Earth's temperature has changed randomly throughout history
What does this graph show?
The temperature has decreased over the last 100 years
The temperature has increased by about 0.5 degree C
The temperature has not changed since 1900
The temperature has increased by a little over 1 degree C in the last 100 years
What is the effect of the change in the shape of Earth's orbit in relation to climate?
change in the amount of received solar energy
change in the expected temperature during summer and winter
change in the average temperature during summer and winter
What is the effect of the change in the shape of Earth's orbit in relation to climate?
change in the amount of received solar energy
change in the expected temperature during summer and winter
change in the average temperature during summer and winter
What is the effect of the wobbling of the Earth's axis in relation to climate?
change in the amount of received solar energy
change in the expected temperature during summer and winter
change in the average temperature during summer and winter
What is the effect of the change in the tilt of the Earth's axis in relation to climate?
change in the amount of received solar energy
change in the expected temperature during summer and winter
change in the average temperature during summer and winter
Which of the following is NOT a possible mechanism as to how plate tectonics affect the climate?
expansion of bodies of water
change in the Earth's tilt
drifting of the continents
volcanic eruptions
What happens to the solar energy output of the Sun whenever its number of sunspots is high?
decrease in solar energy
increase in solar energy
Which graph best shows the relationship between the concentration of carbon dioxide in
Earth’s atmosphere and the amount of heat absorbed by the atmosphere?
Which of the following is TRUE about Earth’s temperatures?
Read each before you decide!
Earth’s temperatures remained exactly the same until the Industrial Revolution,
then temperatures increased.
Earth’s temperatures have remained exactly the same for the last 400,000 years.
Scientists know that Earth’s temperatures are increasing now but have no way to
know what Earth’s past temperatures were.
Earth’s temperatures have always gone up and down but are currently increasing.
Which of the following do
scientists believe has caused the
trend seen in Graph 1?
an increase in the burning of fossil fuels
an increase in the number of volcanic eruptions
an increase in the average temperature of Earth
a decrease in the use of renewable energy
The change in carbon dioxide concentration seen in Graph 1 has most likely caused
deforestation
an increase in Earth’s average temperature
Earth’s water cycle to slow down
an increase in the thickness of Earth’s glaciers
