Chapter 3

McKnight's Physical Geography, 12e (Hess)
Chapter 3 Introduction to the Atmosphere
1) Which of the following is NOT an atmospheric gas?

A) Oxygen
B) Nitrogen
C) Carbon dioxide
D) Water vapor
E) Clouds
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 3.1 Size and Composition of the Atmosphere
Learning Outcome: 3.3 Identify the three major permanent gases found in the atmosphere by
percentage; 3.4 Identify the four most important variable gases found in the atmosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding
2) Which of the following would be MOST variable at your location on a day-to-day basis?
A) Oxygen
B) Nitrogen
C) Carbon dioxide
D) Water vapor
E) Ozone
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 3.4 Identify the four most important variable gases found in the atmosphere.
Global Sci Stds: G2
3) Which of the following makes up more than 10% of the mass of the atmosphere?
A) Water vapor
B) Hydrogen
C) Argon
D) Helium
E) Nitrogen
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
4) The present atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide is approximately 400 ________.
1
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
A) parts per hundred
B) parts per thousand
C) parts per million
D) parts per billion
E) parts per trillion
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
5) The approximate boundary of the atmosphere extends outward at least ________ kilometers
above the surface.
A) 1,000
B) 2,500
C) 5,000
D) 6,000
E) 10,000
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 3.1 Describe how the density of Earth's atmosphere changes with altitude.
Global Sci Stds: G2
6) About 10,000 kilometers above the surface is the upper limit of the ________.
A) atmosphere
B) homosphere
C) troposphere
D) thermosphere
E) ionosphere
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
2
7) Which of the following is NOT an important function of Earth's atmosphere?
A) Insulates the surface against temperature extremes
B) Maintains a water supply
C) Supplies the oxygen for life
D) Screens out much of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation
E) Maintains an envelope of pure oxygen
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
8) Above ________ kilometer(s), the atmospheric pressure is so slight as to not register on an

ordinary barometer.
A) 0.8
B) 8
C) 80
D) 800
E) 8,000
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
9) Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the atmosphere?

A) It contains water vapor.
B) It is poorly mixed in the heterosphere.
C) It resists being compressed.
D) It is very well mixed near the Earth's surface.
E) It has clouds that float in it.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing
3
10) The main component of the lower atmosphere by total volume is ________.
A) oxygen
B) nitrogen
C) helium
D) argon
E) water vapor
Answer: B
Diff: 2
percentage.
Global Sci Stds: G2
11) Oxygen (O2) is being added to the atmosphere by ________.

A) solar radiation
B) animal decomposition
C) meteorites
D) vegetation
E) the burning of coal
Answer: D
Diff: 2
percentage.
Global Sci Stds: G2
12) Nitrogen is the ________ component of the atmosphere in terms of volume.

A) main
B) second
C) third
D) fourth
E) fifth
Answer: A
Diff: 2
percentage.
Global Sci Stds: G2
4
13) Argon is the ________ most plentiful gas in the atmosphere.
A) single
B) second
C) third
D) fourth
E) fifth
Answer: C
Diff: 2
percentage.
Global Sci Stds: G2
14) Of the following, which comprises the greatest percentage of Earth's atmosphere by volume?
A) Carbon monoxide
B) Chlorofluorocarbons
C) Ozone
D) Carbon dioxide
E) Argon
Answer: E
Diff: 2
percentage.
Global Sci Stds: G2
15) The normal percent of water vapor in dry air is ________ percent.
A) 0-4
B) 5-10
C) 15-20
D) 25-30
E) 45-50
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 3.5 Describe the role of atmospheric water vapor on weather and climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
5
16) After water vapor, ________ is the most plentiful of the variable gases in the atmosphere.
A) argon
B) carbon dioxide
C) sulfur dioxide
D) ozone
E) carbon monoxide
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 3.6 Describe the role of small concentrations of carbon dioxide on weather
and climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
17) Over warm oceans, water vapor comprises as much as ________ percent of the volume of
the atmosphere.
A) 1
B) 4
C) 10
D) 25
E) 50
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
18) The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is ________.

A) a small fraction of 1%
B) approximately 10%
C) approximately 30%
D) approximately 50%
E) approximately 75%
Answer: A
Diff: 1
and climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
6
19) Ozone is actually ________.
A) a form of carbon dioxide
B) a form of oxygen
C) more healthy to breathe than oxygen
D) a pollutant caused by the burning of fossil fuels
E) a naturally occurring substance
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 3.7 Describe the role of small concentrations of ozone on weather and
climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
20) Which of the following is NOT gaseous in the atmosphere?

A) Argon
B) Clouds
C) Neon
D) Helium
E) Water vapor
Answer: B
Diff: 2
percentage; 3.4 Identify the four most important variable gases found in the atmosphere.
Global Sci Stds: G2
21) Water vapor is nearly absent in ________.

A) the upper reaches of the atmosphere
B) the lower reaches of the atmosphere
C) the troposphere
D) the atmosphere over sea surfaces
E) the atmosphere over land surfaces
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
7
22) Air is best described as a(n) ________.
A) chemical compound
B) element
C) mixture
D) colloid
E) particulate
Answer: C
Diff: 1
percentage.
Global Sci Stds: G2
23) The influence of carbon dioxide on the climate is mainly due to its ability to absorb
________.
A) water
B) infrared radiation
C) helium
D) argon
E) ions
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
24) Clouds owe their existence to the presence of water vapor and atmospheric ________.
A) particles
B) oxygen
C) argon
D) sunlight
E) carbon dioxide
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
8
25) Some particulates absorb the water vapor around them. They are said to be ________.
A) hygroscopic
B) hydrophobic
C) heavy
D) gases
E) precipitation
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 3.8 Describe the role of atmospheric particulates (aerosols) on weather and
climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
26) ________ particulates in the atmosphere absorb water and are the basis for cloud formation.
A) Gaseous
B) Hygroscopic
C) Poisonous
D) Blue
E) Carbon
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
27) Earth's atmosphere ________.

A) extends upward for 5,000 km above Earth's surface
B) technically stops at 1 m above the surface
C) penetrates Earth's surface
D) is much denser in the stratosphere than in the troposphere
E) is denser than ocean water
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
9
28) Gases are ________ of the atmosphere.
A) evenly mixed throughout all levels
B) unevenly mixed throughout all levels
C) evenly mixed in the upper layers
D) unevenly mixed in the lower layers
E) evenly mixed in the lower layers
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
29) Which of the following is NOT a natural characteristic of the troposphere?

A) It has most of the atmospheric water vapor.
B) It is the lowest layer of the atmosphere.
C) It has the highest pressures in the atmosphere.
D) It has the hottest temperatures in the atmosphere.
E) It is the layer associated with weather.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
30) The source of heating in the thermosphere is the absorption of ________.

A) infrared rays from the Sun
B) infrared rays from the Earth
C) visible energy from the Sun
D) ultraviolet rays from the Sun
E) light rays reflected from the Earth
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 3.2 Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere
Learning Outcome: 3.10 Describe the characteristics of the stratosphere.
Global Sci Stds: G2
10
31) The stratosphere derives its name from which property?
A) It is the hottest layer of the atmosphere.
B) It is the coldest layer of the atmosphere.
C) It is the layer closest to the ground.
D) It is the layer with the most clouds.
E) It is a layer with little vertical mixing.
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
32) The order of the atmospheric layers from the earth's surface upwards is ________.
A) thermosphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and troposphere
B) stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and troposphere
C) troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere
D) troposphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, and thermosphere
E) exosphere, stratosphere, troposphere, and mesosphere
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 3.9 Describe the characteristics of the troposphere; 3.10 Describe the
characteristics of the stratosphere; 3.11 Describe the characteristics of the upper thermal layers.
Global Sci Stds: G2
33) Which atmospheric layer is directly above the troposphere?

A) Exosphere
B) Mesosphere
C) Heterosphere
D) Stratosphere
E) Thermosphere
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
11
34) The ________ is the segment of the atmosphere that blends into interplanetary space.
A) troposphere
B) exosphere
C) stratosphere
D) mesosphere
E) thermosphere
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 3.11 Describe the characteristics of the upper thermal layers.
Global Sci Stds: G2
35) The ________ is the layer of the atmosphere where electrified atoms are plentiful.
A) thermosphere
B) ionosphere
C) troposphere
D) exosphere
E) stratosphere
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
36) The segment of the atmosphere in which gases maintain an approximately uniform
composition is the ________.
A) homosphere
B) exosphere
C) ionosphere
D) stratosphere
E) troposphere
Answer: A
Diff: 1
characteristics of the stratosphere.
Global Sci Stds: G2
12
37) The homosphere includes the lowest ________ kilometers of the atmosphere.
A) 2
B) 10
C) 20
D) 80
E) 250
Answer: A
Diff: 1
characteristics of the stratosphere.
Global Sci Stds: G2
38) The exosphere marks the outward limit of the ________.

A) troposphere
B) stratosphere
C) atmosphere
D) thermosphere
E) geosphere
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
39) The ozone layer is in that portion of the atmosphere known as the ________.
A) troposphere
B) mesosphere
C) stratosphere
D) heterosphere
E) ionosphere
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 3.14 Describe the characteristics of the ozone layer.
Global Sci Stds: G2
13
40) If one were 30 kilometers above sea level, one would be in the part of the atmosphere known
as the ________.
A) stratosphere
B) troposphere
C) exosphere
D) heterosphere
E) mesosphere
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
41) The part of the atmosphere that contains weather and supports life ________.
A) extends about as high above the Earth as the distance from Earth's surface to its center
B) is much shorter than the distance from Earth's surface to its center
C) is the hottest part of the atmosphere
D) consists largely of oxygen
E) consists of a chemical compound called "air"
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 3.9 Describe the characteristics of the troposphere.
Global Sci Stds: G2
14
42)
At which altitude can the greatest concentration of ozone be found?

A) 0 km
B) 10 km
C) 20 km
D) 40 km
E) 80 km
15
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
43)
This figure shows the depth of the troposphere over the Earth. Why is the troposphere deepest
over the Equator?
A) Differences in the tilt of Earth's axis
B) Differences in heating
C) Differences in longitude
D) Differences in land versus ocean
E) Differences in cloudiness
Answer: B
Diff: 2
percentage.
Global Sci Stds: G2
16
44)
What relationship does this graph show between atmospheric pressure and altitude?
A) Air pressure decreases with altitude at an increasing rate.
B) Air pressure increases with altitude at a decreasing rate.
C) Air pressure decreases with altitude at a decreasing rate.
D) Air pressure increases with altitude at an increasing rate.
E) There does not seem to be a cause-effect relationship.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 3.12 Describe the characteristics of atmospheric pressure with increased
altitude.
Global Sci Stds: G2
17
45) The warm zone near the top of the stratosphere is the result of heating from ________.
A) atmospheric pollution
B) the rise of air
C) the output of volcanoes
D) thermal infrared emissions from clouds
E) the natural breakdown of ozone
Answer: E
Diff: 2
climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
46) The atmospheric layer in which gases do not maintain a uniform composition is the
________.
A) ionosphere
B) homosphere
C) troposphere
D) heterosphere
E) stratosphere
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
47) It is thought that the Earth's climate is being changed rapidly by ________.
A) human-caused releases of impurities
B) increased oxygen content
C) natural sources of change
D) dust from volcanoes
E) decreases in carbon dioxide
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 3.3 Human-Caused Atmospheric Change
Learning Outcome: 3.16 Explain the impact of the release of chemicals by humans on the ozone
composition of the atmosphere.
Global Sci Stds: G2
18
48) Which is NOT a danger of increased ultraviolet exposure at the Earth's surface?
A) The killing of microorganisms on the ocean's surface
B) The suppression of the human immune system
C) The increase of skin cancer in humans
D) The diminishing of yields in many crops
E) The significant warming of Earth's surface
Answer: E
Diff: 1
climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
49)
Which of the following is NOT associated with particulates (water droplets and solid pieces) in
the atmosphere?
A) Sunlight absorption
B) Sunlight reflection
C) Cloud forming
D) Depletion of the ozone layer
E) Possible suspension for months or years
Answer: D
Diff: 2
climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
19
50) The UV index ranges from ________.
A) 1 to 100
B) 100 to 1,000
C) -10 to 10
D) -100 to 100
E) 1 to 11 or greater
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 3.17 Explain how humans have altered the composition of the atmosphere
with carbon monoxide, nitrogen compounds, sulfur compounds, and particulates.
Global Sci Stds: G2
20
51)
Which factor probably accounts for the lowest UV index values on this figure?
A) Air pollution
B) High elevation
C) Smoke from cities
D) Thick clouds
E) The angle of the sun
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
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52) The "hole" in the Antarctic ozone ________.
A) has now disappeared
B) should disappear very soon
C) was never proven to have existed
D) persists longer and longer each year
E) is invisible to satellite observations
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
53)
This figure shows the breakdown of ozone in the stratosphere. This breakdown is the result of
________.
A) CFCs joining with ozone
B) a chemical solution
C) the reflection of photons
D) photosynthetic activity
E) the absorption of ultraviolet energy
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
22
54) Which of the following is the shortest of the ultraviolet wavelengths and the wavelength
responsible for the breakdown of ozone?
A) UV-A
B) UV-B
C) UV-C
D) UV-D
E) UV-E
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
55) Satellite imagery sometimes shows aerosol plumes. These plumes carry pollution and dust
high into the atmosphere around Earth. What is NOT an effect of these plumes?
A) They provide condensation nuclei for the making of precipitation.
B) They reflect some solar energy.
C) They modify storm tracks.
D) They are likely masking some aspects of global warming.
E) They are responsible for most of the pollution in big cities.
Answer: E
Diff: 2
climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
56) Satellite imagery sometimes shows aerosol plumes. These plumes can carry pollution around
the Earth in 3 ________.
A) minutes
B) hours
C) days
D) weeks
E) months
Answer: D
Diff: 2
climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
23
57) Which of the following is NOT considered a pollutant when released by the actions of
humans?
A) Water vapor
C) Carbon monoxide
D) Photochemical smog
E) Sulfur compounds
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
58) Ozone is destroyed by CFCs because the ________ in the CFCs combines with oxygen.
A) carbon dioxide
B) dust
C) fluorine
D) liquids
E) chlorine
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
59) The main impact of ozone on life on the Earth's surface is to ________.
A) provide oxygen for the atmosphere
B) reduce ultraviolet solar radiation
C) serve as a nucleus for cloud formation
D) act as a lid preventing gases from escaping
E) initiate violent storms
Answer: B
Diff: 2
climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
24
60) Polar stratospheric clouds are most closely associated with ________.
A) rainfall
B) carbon dioxide
C) large storms
D) dust
E) the destruction of ozone
Answer: E
Diff: 2
climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
61) Which of the following is TRUE of CFCs?

A) They are now banned by international treaty.
B) They have disappeared in the atmosphere.
C) They are very toxic to humans.
D) They are not able to exist for long in the atmosphere.
E) They are now the most dominant gases in the stratosphere.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
62) ________ is (are) crucial to the formation of clouds in the atmosphere.

A) Ozone
B) Argon
C) Neon
D) Particulates
E) Lightning
Answer: D
Diff: 1
climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
25
63) Which of the following substances is closely associated with the breakdown of the ozone
layer?
A) Carbon dioxide
C) Nitrogen oxides
D) Water vapor
E) Infrared radiation
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
64) A "hole" in the ozone layer was first discovered over ________.
A) Antarctica
B) the equator
C) the United States
D) Africa
E) Hollywood
Answer: A
Diff: 1
climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
65) The Montreal Protocol of 1987 was an international treaty that halted the production of
________.
A) nuclear weapons
B) carbon dioxide
C) water vapor
D) automobiles
E) chlorofluorocarbons
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
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66) Chlorine in the stratosphere will turn ozone into ________.
A) smog
B) oxygen (O2)
C) chlorofluorocarbons
D) air
E) nitrogen
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
67) The highest air pollution concentrations are frequently associated with ________.
A) thunderstorms
B) low pressure systems
C) temperature inversions
D) meteorite shows
E) the jet stream
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
68) Photochemical ________ is (are) the result of gases reacting to ultraviolet solar energy in
strong sunlight, and forming secondary pollutants.
A) aerosols
B) smog
C) precipitation
D) wind
E) erosion
Answer: B
Diff: 1
by producing photochemical smog.
Global Sci Stds: G2
27
69) In terms of atmospheric change, which of the following is TRUE?
A) Change has never occurred.
B) Humans are adding impurities to the atmosphere at a rate previously unknown.
C) The ozone hole problem is now solved.
D) The present era is the first time there has ever been climate change.
E) International treaties have been able to halt climate change.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
70) Which of the following is closely related to transitioning from fossil fuels to newer, cleaner
forms of energy?
A) Discovery of new natural gas fields
B) Smart grids
C) Surface mining of coal
D) A battery for every house
E) Keeping the traditional energy policies of the United States
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
71) Currently, the world energy consumption of renewable energy is CLOSEST to ________
percent.
A) 0
B) 5
C) 20
D) 40
E) 60
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
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72) Where is a "hole" in the ozone layer most notable?
A) The tropics
B) The middle latitudes
C) The Arctic
D) The Antarctic
E) Over the entire Earth
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
73) Climatic controls include all but which of the following?

A) Distribution of land and water
B) Latitude
C) Plane of the equator
D) General circulation of the ocean's currents
E) Altitude
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 3.4 Weather and Climate
Learning Outcome: 3.21 Summarize the seven most important controls of weather and climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
74) In general, warm ocean currents are located ________ of the continents.
A) east
B) west
C) equatorward
D) poleward
E) south
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
29
75) "Weather" and "climate" are ________.
A) synonyms
B) differentiated because climate studies the stratosphere
C) both atmospheric studies based on many decades of data
D) differentiated because climate studies the long-term
E) differentiated because weather is not covered in your textbook
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 3.19 Differentiate between weather and climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
76) The most basic factor causing the distribution of hot and cold temperatures over Earth's
surface is ________.
A) general circulation
B) oceanic circulation
C) latitude
D) topography
E) storms
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
77) Most surface winds in the Tropics ________.

A) come from the east
B) come from the west
C) originate in the Sahara
D) originate in the Amazon basin
E) originate in the Australian desert
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
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78) Which of the following is NOT considered a climatic control?
A) Temperature
B) Latitude
C) General circulation of oceans
D) Topographic barriers
E) Distribution of land and water
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
79) The middle latitudes are dominated by wind flows, which are mainly from the ________.
A) north
B) south
C) east
D) west
E) Arctic
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
80) "Weather" and "climate" ________.

A) describe the day-to-day state of the atmosphere
B) are terms which cannot be used in science
C) refer to the atmosphere as studied on different time scales
D) are synonymous terms
E) differ in that "weather" is studied in Geography and "climate" is not
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
31
81) Mountains act as major climatic barriers with the sheltered or ________ side receiving less
moisture than the exposed side.
A) windward
B) struck
C) leeward
D) Coriolis
E) north
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
82) Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) Oceans cool more quickly than land.
B) Oceans and land cool at about the same rate.
C) Land cools more quickly than water.
D) Oceans and land can store about the same amount of heat per volume.
E) Cities near oceans tend to have warmer summers than cities inland.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
83) Because of the Coriolis effect, ________.

A) Earth's Equator rotates faster than higher latitudes
B) winds tend to bend to the right in the Northern Hemisphere
C) winds are balanced
D) winds tend to bend to the right in the Southern Hemisphere
E) winds tend to be slowed
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 3.22 Identify the three most significant aspects of the Coriolis effect.
Global Sci Stds: G2
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84) Which of the following is NOT true with respect to the Coriolis effect?
A) It affects any freely moving object.
B) It bends ocean currents.
C) It is greatest at the equator.
D) It is greatest when objects move faster.
E) It is directly related to the speed of Earth's rotation.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Learning Outcome: 3.22 Identify the three most significant aspects of the Coriolis effect.
Global Sci Stds: G2
85) Studying or classifying climate requires data of no less than ________.

A) several weeks
B) 1 year
C) 5 years
D) several decades
E) 100 years
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
86) Which of the following climatic controls can be considered the most important?
A) Longitude
B) Latitude
C) Elevation
D) Distribution of land and water
E) Storms
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
33
87) Which of the following is NOT a "weather element"?
A) Temperature
B) Moisture
C) Pressure
D) Wind
E) Latitude
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Learning Outcome: 3.20 List the four elements of weather and climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
88) ________ are semi-permanent features or attributes of our atmosphere that cause weather
and climate patterns.
Answer: Climatic controls
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
89) Describe the atmosphere's change of pressure by altitude. Then, explain why this pattern
exists.
Answer: There is a curvilinear relationship. Pressure decreases at a decreasing rate with
altitude. This is because the gravitational attraction with Earth decreases at the same rate.
Diff: 3
Global Sci Stds: G2
90) Weather and climate are separate, but related, terms. Provide a definition of each, and then
give an example of a concept related to climate.
Answer: Weather is the instantaneous state of the atmosphere, while climate is the characteristic
weather over a long period of time. The mean temperature for January 1 is averaged from
numerous observations, and so is a climatic concept.
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
34
91) Describe the development of Earth's modern atmosphere from its formation to the present
day.
Answer: The first atmosphere was devoid of oxygen and would be toxic to life. Over time, the
atmosphere evolved. The ozone layer prevented most ultraviolet energy from reaching the
surface. This allowed plants to do photosynthesis, which is the source for oxygen in our present
atmosphere.
Diff: 3
Learning Outcome: 3.2 Describe how Earth's atmosphere has changed since it first formed.
Global Sci Stds: G2
92) The side of a mountain range exposed to the wind is known as the ________ side.
Answer: windward
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
93) Suppose you are flying in an airplane at the top of the troposphere. What atmospheric
conditions would you expect to find there?
Answer: The atmosphere would be very cold, have little water vapor and a small fraction of the
pressure experienced at the surface. In some places there are jet stream winds, which can flow far
over 200 kph.
Diff: 3
Global Sci Stds: G2
94) ________ is (are) responsible for placing oxygen in the atmosphere.

Answer: Photosynthetic plants
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
35
95) The atmospheric content of ________ has been increasing for the last century.
Answer: carbon dioxide
Diff: 1
and climate.
Global Sci Stds: G5
96) If a pollutant is the result of human activity it is said to be ________.

Answer: anthropogenic
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G5
97) Describe the process in which chlorofluorocarbons are thought to break down ozone.
Answer: The CFCs are produced by human activity. In the presence of ultraviolet energy, CFCs
photodissociate to produce loose chlorine atoms, which interact with ozone. The ozone breaks
apart as one of its atoms is attached to a chlorine atom.
Diff: 3
Global Sci Stds: G5
Bloom's Taxonomy: Evaluating/Creating
98) ________ is one of the gases that has a constant concentration in the lower atmosphere but is
considered a "trace" gas.
Answer: Neon, Helium, Krypton, Hydrogen, or Methane
Diff: 2
percentage.
Global Sci Stds: G2
36
99) One of the natural influences on the concentrations of atmospheric ozone is ________.
Answer: sunspot cycles, volcanic debris, or oscillation of the stratosphere
Diff: 2
climate.
Global Sci Stds: G2
100) ________ is a substance significant to the atmosphere in that it is needed to make clouds,
and is intimately involved in the place-to-place transfer of energy.
Answer: Water vapor
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
101) The international treaty that bans the use of chlorofluorocarbons is the ________.
Answer: Montreal Protocol
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G5
102) The word troposphere has a Greek root word that means ________.
Answer: "turning" sphere
Diff: 1
Global Sci Stds: G2
37
103) Describe the variations of temperature by altitude from the bottom to the top of the
atmosphere. Explain the reasons for this pattern.
Answer: Decrease, increase, decrease, and great increase. Earth's surface warms the troposphere
and the troposphere is cooler higher up. The stratosphere is warmer because of ozone absorption
and re-radiation by ultraviolet energy. The mesosphere is cooler because it has too little mass to
absorb solar energy. The thermosphere is warmest because its few molecules are subject to the
full solar beam and heat up tremendously.
Diff: 3
characteristics of the stratosphere; 3.11 Describe the characteristics of the upper thermal layers.
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Evaluating/Creating
104) The gas ________ is the main absorber of ultraviolet energy in the atmosphere.
Answer: ozone
Diff: 2
climate.
Global Sci Stds: G5
105) One half of the atmosphere lies below the elevation of ________.
Answer: 6 kilometers (4 miles)
Diff: 2
Global Sci Stds: G2
38

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McKnight's Physical Geography, 12e (Hess)

Chapter 3 Introduction to the Atmosphere

1) Which of the following is NOT an atmospheric gas?

4) The present atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide is approximately 400 ________.

8) Above ________ kilometer(s), the atmospheric pressure is so slight as to not register on an

9) Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the atmosphere?

11) Oxygen (O2) is being added to the atmosphere by ________.

12) Nitrogen is the ________ component of the atmosphere in terms of volume.

18) The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is ________.

20) Which of the following is NOT gaseous in the atmosphere?

21) Water vapor is nearly absent in ________.

27) Earth's atmosphere ________.

29) Which of the following is NOT a natural characteristic of the troposphere?

30) The source of heating in the thermosphere is the absorption of ________.

33) Which atmospheric layer is directly above the troposphere?

38) The exosphere marks the outward limit of the ________.

At which altitude can the greatest concentration of ozone be found?

61) Which of the following is TRUE of CFCs?

62) ________ is (are) crucial to the formation of clouds in the atmosphere.

73) Climatic controls include all but which of the following?

77) Most surface winds in the Tropics ________.

80) "Weather" and "climate" ________.

82) Which of the following statements is TRUE?

83) Because of the Coriolis effect, ________.

85) Studying or classifying climate requires data of no less than ________.

94) ________ is (are) responsible for placing oxygen in the atmosphere.

96) If a pollutant is the result of human activity it is said to be ________.

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