Troposphere
Which action represents an environmental consequence of burning coal to produce energy?
A. Burning coal increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
B. Burning coal increases the amount of harmful radioactive waste in need of safe storage.
C. Burning coal increases temperatures in nearby bodies of water.
D. Burning coal increases the amounts of oil released into ocean ecosystems.
A. Burning coal increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
What is the most likely reason for an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide?
A. increased use of fossil fuels
B. increased volcanic activity
C. increased use of nuclear power
D. increased glaciation
A. increased use of fossil fuels
As the human population continues to increase exponentially, what is one important way that humans can help minimize their impact on global warning?
A. Use mass transit, such as buses and trains, and carpool more often.
B. Consume produce from large farms and agribusinesses instead of food grown locally.
C. Operate appliances during peak hours of the day instead of in the evening and night.
D. Build houses in the suburbs instead of homes in major cities and urban centers.
A. Use mass transit, such as buses and trains, and carpool more often
What has been linked to periods of increased global temperatures?
A. increased CO2 in the atmosphere
B. decreased CO2 in the atmosphere
C. fewer hurricanes or typhoons
D. more earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
A. increased CO2 in the atmosphere
Some research has shown that the burning of fossil fuels contributes to an effect called global warming, which scientists believe is changing the chemical makeup of Earth’s atmosphere. Use of which invention would help lower this effect?
A. electric car
B. digital camera
C. high-speed internet
D. battery-powered radio
A. electric car
A group of scientists designed a prototype of an environmentally friendly fuel, which proposes to be an alternative to traditional sources of fuel. Which test will best help the scientists determine whether the fuel prototype is more environmentally friendly?
A. Test if the fuel is cheaper to produce than traditional sources of fuel.
B. Test if the fuel is more portable than traditional sources of fuel.
C. Test if the fuel produces less pollutants than traditional sources of fuel when burned.
D. Test if the fuel produces a better smell than traditional sources of fuel when burned.
C. Test if the fuel produces less pollutants than traditional sources of fuel when burned
Which method is not a good method for reducing energy consumption?
A. better home insulation
B. driving a hybrid car
C. turning heat down when not home
D. washing clothing with hot water
D. washing clothing with hot water
An environmental group published research that analyzed an increase in greenhouse gases in a region. It was found that this was a consequence of the extensive use of a particular energy source. Which type of energy source was most likely cited in the research?
A. coal
B. nuclear
C. solar
D. wind
A. coal
When large areas of the rainforests are cleared and burned, climate can be affected. Which best explains how rainforest destruction can contribute to the greenhouse effect?
A. by threatening native plants and animals
B. by increasing the rate of soil erosion
C. by increasing the water levels in oceans
D. by releasing carbon into the atmosphere
D. by releasing carbon into the atmosphere
Which gas is not part of the trace gases part of the atmosphere?
A. nitrogen
B. argon
C. water vapor
D. carbon dioxide
A. nitrogen
A student reads in a journal that transportation in the US accounts for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. Which modification can Americans make to decrease emissions?
A. Increase carpooling in cities
B. Decrease the number of bike lanes on roads
C. Decrease car parking charges
D. Increase the price of bus passes
A. Increase carpooling in cities
The improvement of energy efficiency in the US is important. Which scenario is least likely to occur due to improved energy efficiency in the US?
A. Allow more time to improve use of renewable resources
B. Increase environmental problems
C. Make nonrenewable resources last longer
D. Reduce dependence on other countries
B. Increase environmental problems
Ice samples from continental glaciers provide evidence that today's atmosphere contains more carbon dioxide than ancient atmospheres did. Why does this increase in carbon dioxide concern scientists?
A. It could cause overall heating of the Earth's atompshere
B. It could cause a hole to form in the ozone layer
C. It could cause the Earth to slow the velocity of its rotation
D. It could cause the Moon to have more of an impact on ocean tides
A. It could cause overall heating of the Earth's atmosphere
After a period of steady increase, the rate of coal consumption was 50% higher during 2009 than it was during the year 2000. If this trend continues, which impact will coal consumption most likely have on the environment after the year 2010?
A. decreased rates of deforestation
B. decreased atmospheric temperatures
C. increased amounts of radioactive waste
D. increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions
D. increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions
An increase of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere is most likely to have which effect?
A. decreased variations in day length
B. increased average air temperature
C. increased burn rate for incoming meteoroids
D. decreased rate of ozone layer destruction
B. increased average air temperature
A. company develops new machine technology to record the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air. What is the intended benefit of using the technology?
A It will help governments ban all objects that release carbon dioxide into the air.
B. It will help citizens understand how the amounts of atmospheric gases change over time.
C. It will help researchers prove reports about the chemical composition of Earth’s atmosphere.
D. It will help researchers track variations in the concentration levels of carbon dioxide in the air to help identify possible causes.
D. It will help researchers track variations in the concentration levels of carbon dioxide in the air to help identify possible causes
Which could increase average global temperatures?
A. Increased use of fossil fuels
B. Decrease carbon dioxide emissions
C. Decrease rate of deforestation
D. Increase in wetland acreage
A. Increased use of fossil fuels
Which action has contributed the most to the rise in carbon dioxide levels from 1960 to 2011?
A. increased volcanic eruptions
B. use of nuclear power
C. use of fossil fuels
D. increased crop production
C. use of fossil fuels
Which element makes up 21% of our atmosphere?
A. phosphorus
B. nitrogen
C. oxygen
D. sodium
C. oxygen
What is a possible negative outcome of the overuse of woody biomass?
A. acid rain
B. increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere
C. ozone depletion
D. pH imbalance in the water
B. increased Co2 levels in the atmosphere
A student claims that greenhouse gases are increasing rapidly, which causes global warming. A classmate argues that even though the greenhouse gases are responsible for global warming, they are essential for life to exist on Earth.
Which reason supports the classmate’s argument?
A. Greenhouse gases prevent the formation of the ozone layer
B. Greenhouse gases maintain a livable surface temperature on Earth
C. Greenhouse gases regulate the energy radiated from natural events such as volcanic activities
D. Greenhouse gases are a by-product of burning fossil fuels, which is necessary energy-producing process in the modern world
B. Greenhouse gases maintain a livable surface temperature on Earth
Which energy source contributes to the greatest emissions of gasses in the environment during the energy production process?
A. bio fuels
B. fossil fuels
C. nuclear energy
D. solar energy
B. fossil fuels
What leads to an increase in average global temperatures?
A. increase in the use of fossil fuels
B. decrease in carbon dioxide emissions
C. decrease in the rate of deforestation
D. increase in wetland acreage
A. increase in the use of fossil fuels
Suppose most of the water, carbon dioxide, and methane gas were taken out of Earth's atmosphere. How would this most likely affect Earth's temperature?
A. The greenhouse effect would be stronger, so Earth’s temperature would increase.
B. The greenhouse effect would be stronger, so Earth’s temperature would decrease.
C. The greenhouse effect would be weaker, so Earth’s temperature would increase.
D. The greenhouse effect would be weaker, so Earth’s temperature would decrease.
D. The greenhouse effect would be weaker, so Earth's temperature would decrease
How much of the atmosphere is made up of trace gases?
A. 78%
B. 21%
C. 1%
D. 8%
C. 1%