1

an object emits less radiation than it absorbs. how would you expect the temperature of this object to change?

a

the temperature will remain constant.

b

the temperature will decrease.

c

the temperature will increase.

2

true/false: greenhouse gases are relatively transparent to short wave solar radiation, but absorb longwave radiation from the earth and emit some of it back to the earth’s surface.

true

false

3

which of the following statements is false?

a

during the daytime, cloud droplets absorb outgoing longwave radiation.

b

during the nighttime, cloud droplets absorb outgoing longwave radiation.

c

during the nighttime, clouds have a cooling effect because they have a high albedo.

4

the amount of incoming solar radiation absorbed at the earth’s surface is approximately

a

90%

b

70%

c

50%

d

30%

e

10%

5

true/false: the sky appears blue because air molecules are much larger than the wavelengths of visible light.

true

false

6

summer and winter are caused by

a

the earth’s revolution around the sun

b

the sun’s revolution around the earth

c

the rotation of the earth on its axis

d

the tilt of the earth’s axis

7

the earth is farthest from the sun during

a

winter in the northern hemisphere

b

summer in the northern hemisphere

c

summer in the southern hemisphere

8

according to the annual radiation budget, the tropical regions have less outgoing radiation than incoming radiation. what prevents the tropical regions from getting hotter and hotter?

a

the earth’s revolution around the sun.

b

the transport of heat away from the equator towards the polar regions via the atmosphere and ocean.

c

the earth’s seasons.

9

the horizontal component of convection is called

a

conduction

b

radiation

c

advection

10

true/false: during the nighttime, the atmosphere will cool via the process of radiation faster than the surface of the earth.

true

false

11

at this time of year, when would you typically expect the daily maximum temperature to occur?

a

midnight

b

7 am

c

noon

d

4 pm

e

7 pm

12

on a clear morning, sunrise occurs at 6: 30 am. what is the most likely time for the minimum temperature to occur?

a

midnight

b

4: 00 am

c

6: 30 am

d

6: 50 am

e

4: 00 pm