07 Atmospheric Studies

ATMOSPHERIC STUDIES

Complete the following questions by selecting the corresponding letter which matches the correct answer. 1.

The term monsoon refers to:

a) b) c) d)

seasonal winds change of season wind change windy season

2.

During the summer monsoon in Asia, the winds that travel across equatorial waters from the south to Asia are:

a) b) c) d)

warm and wet warm and dry cool and wet cool and dry Question 3 refers to the monsoon diagram below:

B

A

area of rising air

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3.

Which of the following statements is true?

a) b) c) d)

winds at A are blowing in a north easterly direction as it is summer monsoon season, winds at A will be dry as it is summer monsoon season, winds at B will be hot and dry air at B is forced to rise

4.

During the summer monsoon season in Asia:

a)

an area of low pressure is created as the landmass becomes quite hot due to the sun being directly overhead air will flow from the low pressure system over Asia to the southern hemisphere to equalise atmospheric pressure an area of high pressure is created over the Asian landmass as the sun’s rays are directly overhead air will flow from the high pressure system present over Asia across the equator to the southern hemisphere resulting in the reversal of the wind direction

b) c) d)

5.

The Australian continent shares the operation of a monsoonal wind system with which other continent?

a) b) c) d)

Antarctica New Zealand Africa Asia

6.

Tropical monsoons experience heavy annual rainfalls. Annual rainfall figures for the Himalaya region exceed:

a) b) c) d) e)

5000mm each year 1000mm each year 1500mm each year 2000mm each year 3500mm each year

7.

Which statement is incorrect regarding air pressure?

a) b) c) d)

is measured by a barometer unit of measurement is a hectopascal air has weight because of gravity temperature does not change air pressure

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8.

Air pressure is not the same in all regions nor similar in the same region due to:

a) b) c) d)

the earth’s rotation temperature altitude all of the above

9.

The following diagram illustrates which relationship described below?

Low pressure

Low

Molecules get farther apart and outward pressure decreases

Molecules get closer together and outward pressure increases

High pressure

a) b)

pressure

High pressure

c) d)

as air moves from a low to a high pressure its volume decreases as air moves from a high pressure to a low pressure its volume remains the same as air moves from a low to a high pressure its volume increases as air moves from a high pressure to a low pressure its volume increases

10.

When air is warmed it expands, therefore the molecules spread out over a:

a) b) c) d)

smaller area and the pressure of the air is decreased larger area and the pressure of the air is decreased similar area and the pressure of the air remains constant an unchanged area and the pressure of the air remains constant

11.

Due to the earth’s rotation, the air at the poles:

a) b) c) d)

is “thrown” towards the equator is “thrown” out into space becomes piled up at the polar regions remains stationary

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12.

Which of the following pressure belts are found between 80 and 90 degrees south?

a) b) c) d)

polar low equatorial low polar high sub tropical high

13.

The degree of hotness of our atmosphere is called:

a) b) c) d)

temperature air pressure altitude gravity

14.

The rotation of the earth causes freely moving water and air masses to be deflected from their original courses. This is called:

a) b) c) d)

Coriolis Law Ferrals Law The Coriolis Effect The Ferrals Effect

15.

Air masses are deflected to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere. Which of the following diagram(s) illustrate this law for winds that are deflected in the northern hemisphere?

i)

iii)

L.P

ii) H.P

H.P

L.P

L.P

iv) H.P

H.P

L.P

----- path winds would take if earth not rotating ___ path taken due to rotation of earth

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a) b) c) d) e)

iv ii iii & iv i i & ii

16.

Air masses that tend to form over oceans are referred to as:

a) b) c) d)

maritime air masses continental air masses marine air masses oceanic air masses

17.

Which one of the following statements concerning winds and atmospheric pressure is not correct?

a)

winds blow in a clockwise direction around a centre of low pressure in the southern hemisphere winds blow in a clockwise direction around a centre of low pressure in the northern hemisphere winds blow in an anticlockwise direction around a centre of high pressure in the southern hemisphere winds blow in a clockwise direction around a centre of high pressure in the northern hemisphere

b) c) d)

18.

The three distinctive wind types that make up the earth’s prevailing winds are:

a) b) c) d)

Easterlies/Polar/Trades Polar/Westerlies/Trades Polar/Westerlies/Tropicals Westerlies/Trades/Equatorials

19.

A low pressure system exists at this location due to the sun being directly overhead for most of the year:

a) b) c) d)

north pole equator mid atitudes south pole

20.

Whenever a low pressure system is formed, air tends to flow:

a) b) c) d)

past it out of it into it through it

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21.

An anticyclone over North America would be a system in which the winds blow:

a) b) c) d)

clockwise from the centre anticlockwise from the centre clockwise towards the centre anticlockwise towards the centre

22.

Vertical movements of air are called:

a) b) c) d)

currents winds willy-willies pressure systems

23.

The example of a simple wind illustrated below is a:

a) b) c) d)

sea breeze land breeze day breeze night breeze

24.

Referring to the operation of a sea breeze, which statements are correct?

i) ii) iii) iv) v)

during the day, the land heats up much faster than the ocean cooler air flows from the land towards the sea cooler air flows from the sea towards the land during the day, the ocean heats up much faster than the land the warmer land creates an area of lower pressure relative to the ocean.

a) b) c) d)

i&iii i&ii i,ii&iii ii&v

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25.

These winds occurs due to the difference in temperatures between Asia and the surrounding oceans:

a) b) c) d)

trades monsoons chinooks doldrums

26.

Trade winds may best be described as:

a) b) c) d)

near calm winds in the equatorial low pressure area very strong and fast winds in the upper troposphere winds which blow from the southeast in the northern hemisphere winds which blow from the subtropical high pressure area towards the equatorial low

*27.

When valley slopes are heated an area of low pressure results producing an upslope breeze. This uphill wind is called:

a) b) c) d)

an anabatic wind an adiabatic wind a katabatic wind a katiabatic wind

28.

What is the name of the pressure system which forms about 60 degrees north and south , as air flows away from the poles?

a) b) c) d)

sub tropical high sub tropical low sub polar high sub polar low

29.

Which statement is incorrect concerning the characteristics of the intertropical convergence zone?

a) b) c) d) e)

it is a region which is thermally induced it is a region of convectional rainfall it is a region if orographic rainfall it is a region of low pressure it is a zone that migrates seasonally

30.

With reference to global wind circulation, how many intermediate pressure belts exist?

a) b) c) d)

4 1 3 7 Page 72

*31.

Hadley cells are established:

a) b) c) d)

through the cooling of polar air as it moves towards the equator through a heating and cooling pattern of circulation of equatorial air when warm equatorial air meets cool polar air forming an area of low pressure through sub tropical pressure belts

32.

An air mass is a:

a) b) c) d)

a body of air with similar pressure and temperature conditions a body of air that flows only over ocean from land large body of air with similar pressure and temperature conditions a stable area of descending air

33.

The hydrosphere may best be described as the:

a) b) c) d)

the earth’s solid shell system of water storage zone in which all life exists transparent gaseous envelope surrounding the earth

34.

The mesosphere temperatures fall quickly with elevation due to which factor(s) absorbing insolation?

a) b) c) d)

water vapour dust particles cloud all of the above

35.

All weather systems and surface winds occur in the:

a) b) c) d)

stratosphere thermosphere troposphere mesosphere

36.

The earth’s atmosphere may be divided into 4 distinct layers from sea level. These layers occur in which of the following orders?

a) b) c) d)

troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere troposphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, thermosphere stratosphere, troposphere, thermosphere, mesosphere mesosphere, troposphere, thermosphere, stratosphere

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37.

The hydrosphere may best be described as the:

a) b) c) d)

earth’s solid shell system of water storage zone in which all life exists transparent and gaseous envelope surrounding the earth

38.

Which of the following factors will not affect the amount of insolation the earth receives?

a) b) c) d) e)

latitude season composition of the atmosphere distribution of daylight hours altitude

39.

The main contributor to smog production is:

a) b) c) d)

power stations the use of wood heaters car exhaust fumes burning fossil fumes

40.

The global heat budget is described as:

a) b) c) d)

a balance between incoming insolation and outgoing thermal radiation gain of heat produced through thermal radiation transfer of heat from the tropics to the poles the gain or loss of heat in the atmosphere

41.

Which process does not deal with long wave radiation?

a) b) c) d)

convection radiation transmission conduction

42.

Incoming solar radiation becomes heat energy only after it reaches the earth’s surface. This heat energy is radiated back into the atmosphere as:

a) b) c) d)

insolation infrared energy short wave radiation long wave insolation

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43.

Which two statements are incorrect?

1. 2. 3. 4.

the atmosphere is heated through long wave radiation the atmosphere is heated through short wave radiation the earth is heated through short wave radiation the earth is heated through long wave radiation

a) b) c) d)

1&2 3&4 1&3 2&4

44.

Transmission is the:

a) b) c) d)

heat energy that passes through the atmosphere heating of the atmosphere as the sun’s rays passes through it sun emitting solar radiation inability of the atmosphere to permit the suns rays to passing through

45.

Insolation stands for:

a) b) c) d)

incoming solar radiation incoming sun rays incoming solar reflection incoming solar rays

46.

Which gas comprises the greatest percentage of the atmosphere?

a) b) c) d)

oxygen carbon dioxide carbon monoxide nitrogen

*47.

Heat energy is measured by the unit:

a) b) c) d)

kilowatt solar joule kilojoule calorie

*48.

To raise the temperature of one litre of water by one degrees celcius takes:

a) b) c) d)

1 calorie of heat energy 10 calories of heat energy 100 calories of heat energy 1kilojoule of heat energy

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49.

The degree of reflection is referred to as:

a) b) c) d)

reflection albino albedo reflectivity

50.

At night when the earth’s surface starts to cool down, some of the heat trapped in the atmosphere is:

a) b) c) d)

radiated back to earth absorbed back to earth conducted back to earth reflected back to earth

51.

The transfer of heat energy back to the atmosphere is called:

a) b) c) d) e)

thermal radiation convection transmission thermal transference terrestrial transference

52.

A person which burns their finger by touching a hot toaster is an example of:

a) b) c) d)

conduction convection absoprtion insulation

53.

Two of the following proposals concerning the Greenhouse Effect are incorrect. Which two are untrue? Without the Greenhouse Effect the earth would:

i) ii) iii) iv) v)

experience freezing nights not maintain a relatively constant planetary temperature result in a greater range between minimum and maximum temperatures retain more long-wave heat energy experience a smaller range of maximum and minimum temperatures

a) b) c) d)

i & ii ii & iv iv & v iii & v

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54.

One full revolution of the earth around the sun takes:

a) b) c) d) e)

366 days 365.25 days 364 days 366.25 days 364.25 days

55.

The orbit the earth takes is:

a) b) c) d)

eclipsal in shape round in shape spheroidal in shape elliptical in shape

56.

The area of the earth that receives the most insolation and is the closest part of the earth’s surface to the sun is referred to as:

a) b) c) d)

inter-tropical convergence zone heat equator thermal equator all of the above

57.

If the sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer which season would the hemisphere be experiencing?

a) b) c) d)

winter summer spring autumn

58.

Which of the following statement(s) is true?

a) b)

the equator receives 12 hours of sunlight per day due to the tilt of the earth’s axis, places further from the equator experience longer Summer days and shorter days in Winter during the Summer Solstice the poles receive six months of constant sunlight all of the above

c) d) 59.

Which description is incorrect? Due to the effect of the angle of incidence of the suns rays:

a) b) c) d)

the poles receive heat rays dispersed over a larger area the suns rays must pass through more atmosphere to reach the polar regions the poles receive heat rays dispersed over a smaller area? polar regions receive less insolation than equatorial regions due to the greater distance from the sun

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60.

There are a number of contributing greenhouse gases that assist in the retaining of heat within the earth’s atmosphere. Which one of the following is NOT a contributor?

a) b) c) d)

carbon dioxide nitrogen nitrous oxide methane

61.

In the Greenhouse Effect, the earth’s atmosphere

a) b) c) d)

permits all radiated heat to escape as short wave radiation allows only part of the radiated heat to escape as long wave radiation allows all radiated heat to escape as long wave radiation permits only a portion of radiated heat to escape as short wave radiation

62.

Man’s activities have often been criticised for their role they play in exacerbating the Greenhouse Effect. Which one of the following actions is NOT likely to increase levels of carbon dioxide within the atmosphere?

a) b) c) d)

reforestation burning of firewood release of vehicle exhaust fumes fossil fuel consumption

63.

The breaking down of the ozone layer through the manufacture of chloroflurocarbons has been responsible for:

a) b) c) d)

an increase in ultraviolet radiation levels a thinning of the ozone layer at polar regions a decrease in the magnification of the Greenhouse Effect an increase in global temperatures

64.

The Greenhouse Effect may also be called:

a) b) c) d)

Global Warming Glasshouse Effect Radiated Effect Hot House Warming

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65.

The Greenhouse diagram bellows illustrates:

Greenhouse

a) b) c) d) e)

Atmosphere

incoming solar radiation warms up both the glasshouse and atmosphere insolation becomes trapped inside the glasshouse, causing it to warm up shortwave radiation warms the greenhouse longwave heat energy can not escape easily through the greenhouse, thus the greenhouse stays warm the atmosphere and greenhouse operate similarly as long wave radiation passes slowly out of the greenhouse and atmosphere, causing it to remain warm

66.

The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect has occurred due to:

a)

the naturally occurring levels of carbon dioxide that exist within the atmosphere increased consumption of fossil fuels methane production from grazing animals reafforestation

b) c) d) *67.

Some scientists believe that due to the continued production of greenhouse gases, global warming is occurring. If these emissions are not controlled or reduced, it is likely to result in a dramatic change in rainfall received in years to come. This changing rainfall may produce:

a) b) c) d)

wetter winters and drier summers only warmer seasons only wetter seasons only drier summers

68.

It is believed with the onset of Global Warming, the increase in temperatures will affect polar ice caps. Which is NOT likely to be a direct result of polar ice cap melt?

a) b) c) d)

increase in oceans levels flooding of low lying areas contamination of salt water by fresh water relocation of people living in low lying areas/islands Page 79

*69.

Mt Fuji draws thousands of visitors annually for both its beauty, religious significance and ski season. However it is believed that the icecap that adorns the summit of Mt Fuji is retreating. Which of the following statements will not occur due to this retreat?

a) b) c) d)

length of the ski season will be extended new meadow lines will be created length of ski season will be shortened food chains will alter as some species are forced to relocate

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