A
B
C
D
E
100
Which of the following is the best description of radiation?
A. the transmission of heat through a medium without the motion of the medium
B. the process by which a liquid is converted to its vapor phase by heating the liquid
C. heat transfer in a gas or liquid by the circulation of currents from one region to another
D. the emission of energy in the form of rays or waves
D. the emission of energy in the form of rays or waves
100
Which of the following is the best description of convection?
A. the emission of energy in the form of rays or waves that are able to travel through empty space
B. the transmission of heat through a medium without the motion of the medium
C. heat transfer in a gas or liquid by the circulation of currents from one region to another
D. the process of changing from a gas to a liquid or from a liquid to a gas
C. heat transfer in a gas or liquid by the circulation of currents from one region to another
100
How does the climate of coastal regions compare with inland regions?
A. Both regions are stable.
B. Coastal regions tend to be more stable.
C. Both regions are variable.
D. Coastal regions tend to be more variable.
B. Coastal regions tend to be more stable.
100
Which of the following is the best description of conduction?
A. heat transfer in a gas or liquid by the circulation of currents from one region to another
B. the transmission of heat through a medium without the motion of the medium
C. the emission of energy in the form of rays or waves that can travel through empty space
D. the process of changing from a gas to a liquid or from a liquid to a gas
B. the transmission of heat through a medium without the motion of the medium
100
Convection currents, resulting from uneven heating of the Earth's surface, cause _______ to form.
A. mountains
B. volcanoes
C. wind
D. fossils
C. wind
200
The pattern of _______ in an area over a long period of time is called _______.
A. climate, weather
B. weather, climate
C. climate, temperature
D. weather, rain
B. weather, climate
200
Global climate is determined
A. by the transfer of solar energy at and near the Earth's surface.
B. by clouds reflecting all of the Sun's energy back into space.
C. completely by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.
D. by solar energy interacting with land but not water.
A. by the transfer of solar energy at and near the Earth's surface.
200
In the diagram below, sunlight has heated the upper layer of the ground. The soil below the surface is much cooler.
Heat from the surface is transferred underground by _______.
A. convection
B. radiation
C. conduction
D. condensation
C. conduction
200
Each day, changes take place in the atmosphere. All these frequent changes are called _______.
A. weather
B. rain
C. climate
D. wind
A. weather
200
Water in the atmosphere typically returns to the surface of the Earth through the formation of clouds and precipitation. This means that the cycling of water from the atmosphere to the hydrosphere would be most likely to cause
A. rainy weather.
B. dry weather.
C. hot weather.
D. cold weather.
A. rainy weather.
300
Long-term changes in the water cycle can cause changes in an area's climate. Which of the following accurately describes such a change for an area that is far away from any body of water?
A. A local, long-term decrease in evaporation leads to a drier climate.
B. A local, long-term increase in precipitation leads to a drier climate.
C. A local, long-term decrease in precipitation leads to a drier climate.
D. A local, long-term increase in evaporation leads to a more humid climate.
C. A local, long-term decrease in precipitation leads to a drier climate.
300
The atmosphere flows in large convection currents.
What happens during atmospheric convection?
A. Cool air rises, and warm air sinks.
B. Warm air circles pockets of cool air.
C. Cool air circles pockets of warm air.
D. Warm air rises, and cool air sinks.
D. Warm air rises, and cool air sinks.
300
When sunlight strikes the ground it warms the ground and the air near it. The warm air near the ground then rises as it expands. What does this process typically result in on the ground?
A. Floodwater rushes in to cool the hot surface.
B. Cool air rushes in to replace the rising warm air.
C. Freezing conditions near the ground generate a high pressure system.
D. Clouds push the warm air back to the ground.
B. Cool air rushes in to replace the rising warm air.
300
Areas of the Earth near the equator receive large amounts of solar energy. How does this lead to increased rainfall?
A. The solar energy creates wind, which pushes clouds from the poles to the equator.
B. The solar energy heats the air, which causes water vapor to condense.
C. The solar energy allows plants to complete photosynthesis reactions.
D. The solar energy provides the energy for water to evaporate.
D. The solar energy provides the energy for water to evaporate.
300
The method of heat transfer that plays a central role in transferring heat energy within the atmosphere and the ocean is
A. radiation.
B. convection.
C. conduction.
D. reflection.
B. convection.
400
Air temperatures change with changing heights, or altitudes, in the Earth's atmosphere. Gathering accurate data about the temperatures at different altitudes is important for predicting which of the following?
A. if precipitation will take the form of snow, sleet, hail, or rain
B. when and where lightning is likely to strike
C. how much carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere at a particular location
D. when and where a tsunami is likely to strike a coastline
A. if precipitation will take the form of snow, sleet, hail, or rain
400
The water contained in Earth's oceans has the ability to absorb, hold, and circulate large amounts of heat. Which of the following is true about the relationship between the oceans and the Earth's climate?
A. The oceans have a major effect on climate around the globe.
B. The oceans do not have any affect on Earth's climate.
C. The oceans have an effect only on the climate of regions within five miles of the coast.
D. The oceans cause the climate of every region on Earth to be exactly the same.
A. The oceans have a major effect on climate around the globe.
400
Winds generally flow away from the equator and toward the poles. What transfer does this flow of wind cause?
A. a water transfer, with water moving from the atmosphere to the ocean
B. a water transfer, with water moving from the ocean to the atmosphere
C. an energy transfer, with heat energy moving away from the equator
D. an energy transfer, with heat energy moving toward the equator
C. an energy transfer, with heat energy moving away from the equator
400
A jet stream is a belt of wind in the upper atmosphere that blows around the Earth from west to east.
How is the jet stream related to the wind direction on the ground?
A. It can slow down or speed up, causing wind on the ground to blow north or south.
B. It can move air from the upper atmosphere to the lower atmosphere to bring circular winds.
C. When the jet stream blows from the west, the wind on the ground blows from the west.
D. When the jet stream moves south, it moves its associated weather front, which causes winds from the north.
D. When the jet stream moves south, it moves its associated weather front, which causes winds from the north.
400
Regions at different latitudes around the world receive different amounts of solar radiation. Polar regions receive the least amount of solar radiation, while the equator receives the most. How does this most likely affect the global climate?
A. The global climate is mostly warm.
B. Equatorial regions experience colder climates.
C. Polar regions experience colder climates.
D. The global climate is mostly cold.
C. Polar regions experience colder climates.
500
How does the water cycle help determine climate around the world?
A. The water cycle redistributes water in different patterns that make different areas have different climate.
B. The water cycle keeps evaporation rates the same in all areas of the world so that all areas have the same climate.
C. The water cycle redistributes water in different patterns that make all areas have the same climate.
D. The water cycle keeps evaporation rates the same in all areas of the world so that different areas have different climate.
A. The water cycle redistributes water in different patterns that make different areas have different climate.
500
In the water cycle, the Sun's heat provides energy to evaporate water from the Earth's surface (oceans, lakes, etc.). The water vapor eventually condenses, forming tiny droplets in clouds. When the clouds meet cool air over land, precipitation (rain, sleet, or snow) is triggered, and water returns to the land (or sea). The water flows downhill as runoff (above ground or underground), eventually returning to the seas as slightly salty water. And then the cycle starts over.
Droughts, periods of time with below average rainfall, result from a lack of precipitation. Imagine an area along the coast that normally receives rain clouds that develop over the ocean and move in toward land. If this coastal area is currently experiencing a drought, how would a decrease in evaporation from the ocean affect the drought?
A. It would mean that there would be less water vapor available to condense into clouds and the drought would continue.
B. It would cause the surface water to stay on the land rather than run off and accumulate in rivers and oceans.
C. Evaporation is not an essential part of the water cycle and would not affect a drought.
D. It would cause an increase in condensation, cloud formation and precipitation.
A. It would mean that there would be less water vapor available to condense into clouds and the drought would continue.
500
Ocean currents and global wind patterns, which are caused by convection currents, most strongly affect a region's
A. day length.
B. climate.
C. population size.
D. latitude.
B. climate.
500
Solar energy received by the Earth's surface causes the Earth's surface to heat up during the day. Which of the following heat transfer mechanisms is the main cause of the surface gaining heat?
A. advection
B. convection
C. conduction
D. radiation
D. radiation
500
The solar energy received at each area of the Earth is not the same. This is the driving force for the Earth's .
A. winds
B. tides
C. tilt
D. rotation
A. winds