WorksheetsSecond Semester Exam Study Guide
Total questions: 100
Worksheet time: 50mins
The two main components of the atmosphere are:
Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
Nitrogen and Oxygen
Hydrogen and Helium
Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide
What percentage of the atmosphere is dry air?
21%
78%
99%
100%
What percentage of the atmosphere is water vapor?
0-4%
10-20%
25-30%
50-60%
How are nitrogen and oxygen removed and returned to the atmosphere?
Through the processes of photosynthesis and respiration
By volcanic eruptions and earthquakes
By precipitation and evaporation
Through the water cycle only
What percentage of the atmosphere is water vapor? How does it vary?
Water vapor makes up about 0-4% of the atmosphere and varies with location and temperature.
Water vapor makes up about 20% of the atmosphere and is constant everywhere.
Water vapor makes up about 50% of the atmosphere and only varies with altitude.
Water vapor makes up about 78% of the atmosphere and does not vary.
The processes involved in the water cycle are:
Evaporation, condensation, and precipitation
Photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration
Melting, freezing, and sublimation
Erosion, deposition, and weathering
What are the two processes involved in carbon dioxide cycling?
Photosynthesis and respiration
Evaporation and condensation
Transpiration and precipitation
Combustion and melting
The two leading gases involved in the greenhouse effect are:
Oxygen and Nitrogen
Carbon Dioxide and Methane
Hydrogen and Helium
Argon and Neon
The concentration of carbon dioxide is rising because:
Plants are producing more oxygen
Humans are burning more fossil fuels
The sun is getting hotter
The Earth's gravity is increasing
Aerosols are:
Solid or liquid particles suspended in a gas
A type of gas
A form of energy
A type of bacteria
Aerosols affect the atmosphere by:
Increasing greenhouse gases
Scattering and absorbing sunlight
Decreasing oxygen levels
Increasing rainfall
Aerosols are released by:
Evaporation
Condensation
Spraying or dispersal
Freezing
What are the adverse effects of aerosols?
They cause air pollution and respiratory problems.
They improve air quality.
They have no effect on health.
They increase oxygen levels in the atmosphere.
The ozone layer is found in:
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Photochemical smog is:
a type of air pollution formed by the reaction of sunlight with pollutants like nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons
a type of fog formed by water vapor only
a type of smog caused by dust particles
a type of pollution caused by noise
The layers of the atmosphere are:
Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
Crust, Mantle, Core, Lithosphere, Asthenosphere
Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere, Atmosphere
Stratosphere, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere
What is the distance of the troposphere?
8-15 km
50-60 km
100-120 km
200-300 km
How much distance does the stratosphere extend beyond the earth's surface?
10-50 km
50-100 km
100-200 km
200-300 km
Where is the ozone layer present?
In the troposphere
In the stratosphere
In the mesosphere
In the thermosphere
What happens to the temperature as you go higher in the stratosphere?
It increases
It decreases
It stays the same
It fluctuates randomly
Jet planes fly in the stratosphere because:
The air is less turbulent and allows for smoother flight
The temperature is higher than the troposphere
There is more oxygen for combustion
It is closer to the ground
Which of the following is a characteristic of the mesosphere?
It is the coldest layer of the atmosphere.
It contains the ozone layer.
It is the closest layer to Earth's surface.
It has the highest air pressure.
What part of the electromagnetic spectrum is absorbed in the thermosphere? What is the result of this absorption?
Ultraviolet radiation; it causes the temperature to increase.
Infrared radiation; it causes the temperature to decrease.
Visible light; it causes the thermosphere to glow.
Radio waves; it causes the thermosphere to cool.
The Karman line is:
the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space
the highest mountain peak on Earth
a famous line of longitude
a type of weather phenomenon
The thermosphere is located how much distance above the atmosphere?
80-700 km
10-50 km
700-1000 km
0-10 km
How much distance is the exosphere above the earth's surface? What is the characteristic of the ionosphere?
The exosphere is about 700 km above the earth's surface; the ionosphere contains charged particles.
The exosphere is about 10 km above the earth's surface; the ionosphere is a solid layer.
The exosphere is about 100 km above the earth's surface; the ionosphere is made of water vapor.
The exosphere is about 50 km above the earth's surface; the ionosphere is a magnetic field.
Aurora is a natural light display that occurs in which part of the Earth's atmosphere?
Stratosphere
Troposphere
Ionosphere
Mesosphere
Rank the gases in the atmosphere from most abundant to least abundant.
Nitrogen > Oxygen > Argon > Carbon Dioxide
Oxygen > Nitrogen > Argon > Carbon Dioxide
Oxygen > Argon > Nitrogen > Carbon Dioxide
Nitrogen > Carbon Dioxide > Oxygen > Argon
Compare and Contrast the four players of the atmosphere.
The four players of the atmosphere are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere.
The four players of the atmosphere are oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and argon.
The four players of the atmosphere are wind, rain, snow, and hail.
The four players of the atmosphere are clouds, sun, moon, and stars.
Explain why solar energy increases with height in the stratosphere.
Because there are fewer air molecules to absorb solar energy at higher altitudes.
Because the ozone layer is thicker at higher altitudes.
Because the temperature decreases with height in the stratosphere.
Because there is more water vapor at higher altitudes.
The parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are:
Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays
Sound waves, water waves, visible light, microwaves
Infrared, visible light, sound waves, gamma rays
Radio waves, microwaves, sound waves, X-rays
Compare how solar energy is absorbed and emitted by the earth’s surface.
Solar energy is absorbed as visible light and emitted as infrared radiation.
Solar energy is both absorbed and emitted as visible light.
Solar energy is absorbed as infrared radiation and emitted as visible light.
Solar energy is neither absorbed nor emitted by the earth’s surface.
Which layer of the earth absorbs high energy waves?
Crust
Mantle
Core
Ozone layer
What would happen to the planet if there was no atmosphere?
The planet would remain unchanged.
Life would thrive more easily.
The planet would become uninhabitable.
Weather patterns would improve.
Which of the following lists three properties of the atmosphere and correctly describes how they vary with height?
Temperature, pressure, and density all decrease with height.
Pressure, density, and humidity all increase with height.
Temperature, pressure, and density all increase with height.
Pressure, density, and temperature all decrease with height.
During a temperature inversion, what happens?
The temperature increases with altitude instead of decreasing.
The temperature decreases rapidly at the surface.
The air becomes more humid at higher altitudes.
Clouds form at lower altitudes.
When the motion of particles increases, what happens?
The temperature decreases
The temperature increases
The particles stop moving
The particles become larger
Which gas has increased by about 0.011 percent over the past 150 years?
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Carbon dioxide
Argon
The primary cause of wind is:
the rotation of the Earth
differences in air pressure
the presence of mountains
the phases of the moon
Which process takes up latent heat?
Condensation
Evaporation
Freezing
Sublimation
Wind speed is reduced by which process?
Evaporation
Condensation
Friction
Radiation
The atmospheric layer closest to the earth’s surface is _____________.
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
The amount of water vapor in the air is called _____________.
Humidity
Precipitation
Condensation
Evaporation
The outermost layer of the atmosphere is called__________
exosphere
troposphere
stratosphere
mesosphere
Almost all weather, clouds, and storms occur in which layer of the atmosphere?
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Compare what happens to latent heat in the atmosphere during evaporation to what occurs during condensation.
Latent heat is absorbed during evaporation and released during condensation.
Latent heat is released during both evaporation and condensation.
Latent heat is absorbed during both evaporation and condensation.
Latent heat is released during evaporation and absorbed during condensation.
Using the idea that almost all weather occurs in the troposphere, infer why many airlines usually fly at an altitude of 11 km.
Because it is above most weather disturbances
Because it is the warmest part of the atmosphere
Because it is the lowest part of the atmosphere
Because it has the highest air pressure
The relationship between air pressure and heat transfer is:
Higher air pressure increases heat transfer.
Lower air pressure increases heat transfer.
Air pressure does not affect heat transfer.
Heat transfer only occurs in a vacuum.
The relationship between wind velocity and air pressure is:
Directly proportional
Inversely proportional
No relationship
Both increase together
Heat transfer through the biosphere occurs by:
conduction, convection, and radiation
photosynthesis and respiration
precipitation and evaporation
erosion and deposition
How does heat transfer occur in the lithosphere?
By conduction
By radiation
By convection
By evaporation
How does heat transfer occur in the hydrosphere?
Through conduction, convection, and radiation
Only through conduction
Only through convection
Only through radiation
How do volcanic eruptions affect the flow of energy into Earth's systems?
They increase the amount of sunlight reaching Earth's surface.
They decrease the amount of sunlight reaching Earth's surface by releasing ash and gases.
They have no effect on the flow of energy into Earth's systems.
They cause Earth's surface to cool by absorbing more solar energy.
The source of energy for the volcanic eruptions is:
Solar energy
Chemical energy
Geothermal energy
Wind energy
Volcanic eruptions are caused by:
the movement of tectonic plates and the buildup of pressure from molten rock (magma) beneath the Earth's surface
the cooling of the Earth's core
the evaporation of ocean water
the rotation of the Earth
The impact of volcanic eruptions on climate is:
They cool the Earth's climate by releasing aerosols that reflect sunlight.
They warm the Earth's climate by releasing greenhouse gases.
They have no impact on the Earth's climate.
They only affect local weather, not global climate.
What is the large-scale climate impact of volcanic eruptions?
They cause global warming.
They cause global cooling.
They have no impact on climate.
They increase rainfall worldwide.
The local impact of volcanic eruption is:
Increased rainfall
Destruction of property and loss of life
Decrease in temperature only
No effect on the environment
The primary energy source of solar output is:
Wind
Nuclear fusion in the Sun
Geothermal energy
Chemical reactions
What is the impact of solar output fluctuations on climate?
They cause changes in Earth's temperature and weather patterns.
They have no effect on Earth's climate.
They only affect ocean currents.
They only impact plant growth.
What processes lead to energy distribution influencing atmospheric circulation, ocean currents, and the water cycle?
Solar radiation, Earth's rotation, and gravity
Photosynthesis and respiration
Plate tectonics and volcanic eruptions
Magnetic field and seismic activity
What factors affect solar energy absorption?
Color and material of the surface
Distance from the sun
Amount of rainfall
Wind speed
Two examples of solar output are:
Light and heat
Wind and rain
Electricity and magnetism
Sound and vibration
What leads to solar variations?
Changes in the Sun's activity
Earth's rotation
Lunar phases
Ocean currents
Solar flares impact climate patterns by:
Increasing global temperatures significantly
Causing short-term disturbances in Earth's atmosphere
Decreasing rainfall worldwide
Having no effect on Earth's climate
The flow of energy from the sun creates ocean circulation by:
heating the Earth's surface unevenly, causing wind and water movement
directly pulling water with gravity
increasing the salt content of the ocean
creating earthquakes under the ocean
What is an adiabatic process
is a thermodynamic process where no heat is transferred between a system and its surroundings
is a thermodynamic process where more heat is transferred between a system and its surroundings
is a thermodynamic process where some heat is transferred between a system and its surroundings
is a thermodynamic process where intense heat is transferred between a system and its surroundings
Solar energy acts as the primary driver of ocean currents by:
Heating the Earth's surface unevenly, causing differences in water temperature and density
Directly moving water with its rays
Increasing the salt content of the ocean
Creating wind only at the poles
Density differences affect ocean circulation by:
causing water to move in currents
increasing ocean temperature
decreasing ocean salinity
stopping all water movement
Wind-driven ocean currents are:
currents caused by the movement of wind over the ocean surface
currents caused by differences in water temperature
currents caused by underwater volcanic activity
currents caused by the Earth's rotation
Thermohaline circulation is created by:
differences in temperature and salinity in ocean water
the rotation of the Earth
wind patterns over the ocean
tidal forces from the moon
Ocean circulation impacts climate by:
Distributing heat around the planet
Increasing the amount of rainfall everywhere
Causing only local weather changes
Having no effect on climate
Give an example of energy flow and ocean currents.
Energy flow: Sunlight to plants; Ocean current: Gulf Stream
Energy flow: Wind to mountains; Ocean current: Amazon River
Energy flow: Moonlight to animals; Ocean current: Lake Erie
Energy flow: Soil to trees; Ocean current: Pacific Lake
What is the relationship between dew point and heat transfer
Heat is transferred from the the surrounding environment to water vapor as it changes phase from gas to liquid
Heat is transferred from the water vapor to the surrounding environment as it changes phase from liquid to gas
Heat is transferred from the water vapor to the surrounding environment as it changes phase from gas to solid
Heat is transferred from the water vapor to the surrounding environment as it changes phase from gas to liquid
The mechanism of the conveyor belt is:
To transport materials from one place to another using a continuous moving belt.
To store materials in a fixed position.
To crush materials into smaller pieces.
To mix different materials together.
Ocean circulation affects climate by:
distributing heat around the planet
increasing volcanic activity
causing earthquakes
reducing atmospheric pressure
What is the reason for climate change related to conveyor belt?
Changes in ocean currents
Deforestation
Increase in greenhouse gases
Volcanic eruptions
How does the flow of energy through earth systems affect surface temperature?
It increases or decreases surface temperature depending on the balance of energy absorbed and released.
It has no effect on surface temperature.
It only decreases surface temperature.
It only increases surface temperature.
The primary source of surface temperatures is:
The Sun
The Moon
The Oceans
The Wind
The energy budget is:
The balance between the energy Earth receives from the Sun and the energy it radiates back into space.
The total amount of energy stored in fossil fuels.
The amount of energy used by humans in a year.
The energy required to power all electronic devices.
The greenhouse effect is:
The process by which certain gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere
The process of plants making food using sunlight
The effect of pollution on plant growth
The movement of tectonic plates
The reason for surface temperature variations is:
differences in solar radiation
ocean currents only
human activities only
constant weather patterns
What is the heat transfer mechanism that leads to surface temperatures?
Conduction
Convection
Radiation
Evaporation
Albedo changes affect surface temperature by:
Increasing albedo decreases surface temperature.
Increasing albedo increases surface temperature.
Albedo changes have no effect on surface temperature.
Decreasing albedo decreases surface temperature.
There is a persistent band of rainfall around the equator because:
the equator receives direct sunlight causing warm air to rise and condense
the equator is at a higher altitude than other regions
the equator has more deserts than other regions
the equator is farther from the sun than other regions
How do precipitation patterns differ as you look at the equator when compared to 1,000 to 2,000 miles north and south of the equator?
Precipitation is higher at the equator and decreases 1,000 to 2,000 miles north and south.
Precipitation is lower at the equator and increases 1,000 to 2,000 miles north and south.
Precipitation is the same at the equator and 1,000 to 2,000 miles north and south.
There is no precipitation at the equator or 1,000 to 2,000 miles north and south.
If you were on the International Space Station looking down on Earth, would you be able to see precipitation?
Yes, you can see precipitation from the ISS.
No, you cannot see precipitation from the ISS.
You can only see precipitation at night from the ISS.
You can only see precipitation over oceans from the ISS.
Precipitation is measured by:
Thermometer
Barometer
Rain gauge
Anemometer
The flow of energy impacts glacial ice volumes by:
Increasing energy causes ice to melt, decreasing ice volumes.
Decreasing energy causes ice to melt, increasing ice volumes.
Increasing energy causes ice to freeze, increasing ice volumes.
Energy flow has no impact on glacial ice volumes.
What is the relationship between the albedo effect and glacial volumes?
The albedo effect increases as glacial volumes increase.
The albedo effect decreases as glacial volumes increase.
There is no relationship between the albedo effect and glacial volumes.
The albedo effect only affects ocean volumes.
A feedback loop in terms of glacial volumes refers to:
A process where changes in glacial volume amplify or diminish further changes in volume.
A method for measuring the thickness of glaciers.
A type of glacier found only in polar regions.
A feedback system used in weather forecasting.
Factors that affect glacial volumes include:
Temperature and precipitation
Wind speed and humidity
Soil type and vegetation
Ocean currents and tides
Solar radiation, atmospheric temperature, and ocean currents affect glacial volumes by:
Increasing glacial growth
Causing glacial melting and reduction in volume
Having no effect on glaciers
Making glaciers move faster without changing their size
Glacial volumes are measured in which of the following units?
Cubic meters
Square kilometers
Liters
Kilograms
How have the glaciers changed?
They have grown larger.
They have remained the same.
They have melted and become smaller.
They have moved to a new location.
The flow of energy affects sea levels by:
causing water to expand as it warms, leading to higher sea levels
decreasing the amount of water in the oceans
making the sea water freeze
having no effect on sea levels
How does the Coriolis effect influence the flow of energy?
It causes energy to flow in a straight line from the equator to the poles.
It deflects the movement of air and water, redistributing energy across the planet.
It prevents any movement of energy in the atmosphere.
It increases the amount of energy received from the sun.
The primary source of global atmospheric and ocean circulation is:
The Sun
The Moon
Volcanic activity
Human activity
Trade winds, polar easterlies, and westerlies are types of:
Ocean currents
Global wind patterns
Mountain ranges
Cloud formations
Jet stream is:
A fast flowing, narrow air current found in the atmospheres of some planets, including Earth.
A type of ocean current.
A type of cloud formation.
A type of rainfall.
