Chapter 15
1. Climate is defined as: long-term average of temperature and precipitation. long-term precipitation trends. long-term changes in the composition of the atmosphere. daily fluctuations in localized temperature and precipitation.
2. Which of the following is not a component of the climate system? atmosphere hydrospere cryosphere lithosphere biosphere All of these are part of the climate system!
3. The most abundant gas in the atmosphere is: carbon dioxide. oxygen. nitrogen. methane.
4. Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas? oxygen carbon dioxide methane ozone
5. What percent of the hydrosphere is made of freshwater sources? 25% 15% 8% 1%
6. What is the dominant cause of oceanic circulation in the modern ocean? density flow of cold, saline bottom water wave mixing surface currents The current ocean is stratified and does not mix.
7. Major volcanic eruptions impact the climate system primarily by: raising atmospheric temperatures. lowering atmospheric temperatures.
8. Photosynthesis in the biosphere plays a key factor in modulating the: carbon cycle. water cycle. rock cycle. nitrogen cycle.
9. Without greenhouse gases, the average Earth surface temperature would be:
10. Which of the following are positive feedback(s) in the climate system? water vapor feedback albedo feedback radiative dampening Both A and B
11. Which of the following are negative feedback(s) in the climate system? albedo feedback plant growth feedback radiative dampening Both B and C
12. General circulation models of climate incorporate variables for: temperature. pressure. density. velocity. All of the above.
13. How frequently do El Niño events occur? annually 3–7 years 10–15 years once a century
14. The Pleistocene glaciations were modulated by: anthropogenic climate change. Milankovitch cycles. methane gas eruptions. asteroid impacts.
15. True or False: The Pleistocene is the only time in Earth’s history when continental glaciers accumulated. True False
16. A precise estimate of paleotemperature can be measured from marine sediments and ice cores using: 18O/16O ratio. 13C/12C ratio. 15N/14N ratio. 34S/32S ratio.
17. How much has average global temperature increased between 1912 and 2012?
18. In 2000, CO2 levels reached 390 ppm; the last time CO2 levels were that high was at least: 18,000 years ago. 50,000 years ago. 400,000 years ago. 20 million years ago.
19. The weak acid responsible for weathering carbonate rocks is formed from the mixture of carbon dioxide gas and atmospheric water and is called: sulfuric acid. hydrochlorid adic. carbonic acid. muratic acid.
20. Increased uptake of CO2 by the oceans is currently causing ocean: acidification. oxidation. nitrification. cooling.
21. The cycling of carbon is of particular interest today, as increased production of atmospheric carbon dioxide gas has been linked to: melting of polar ice. strengthening of the greenhouse effect. global warming. All of the above. None of the above.