Assessment Questions for Session 2

Choose the best answer:

  1. By what method of energy transfer does solar energy reach the earth's atmosphere?
    a) convection
    b) radiation
    c) advection
    d) all of the above

  2. Longwave energy from the earth is carried into the atmosphere primarily by which method?
    a) convection
    b) radiation
    c) advection
    d) all of the above

  3. Which band of electromagnetic energy does the sun release the highest intensity?
    a) ultraviolet
    b) visible
    c) near infrared
    d) far infrared

  4. Radiation from the sun enters the atmosphere and is absorbed by the earth's surface. The earth's surface then re-radiates this energy. How is this re-radiated energy described?
    a) reflected
    b) shortwave
    c) longwave
    d) ultraviolet

  5. Rank the following in order by typical albedo levels with 1 being the highest.

    water moon thick clouds snow
    forest grassy field asphalt ice

  6. Which of the following changes will result at the earth's surface from an overcast day?
    a) the amount of incoming energy from the sun will decrease
    b) the amount of outgoing energy from the earth will increase
    c) the amount of energy trapped near the surface will decrease
    d) there will be no change in energy balance

  7. Which of the following changes will result at the earth's surface from a significant increase in greenhouse gases?
    a) the amount of energy absorbed by the atmosphere will increase
    b) the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere will increase
    c) the amount of cloud cover will increase
    d) all of the above

  8. The amount of energy released from the sun:
    a) is always constant at 1370 W/m2
    b) fluctuates around 1370 W/m2
    c) has a maximum value of 1370 W/m2
    d) has a minimum value of 1370 W/m2

  9. During a clear day, the temperature of the atmosphere increases because:
    a) the amount of incoming radiation is greater than the amount of outgoing radiation
    b) the amount of incoming radiation is less than the amount of outgoing radiation.
    c) the amount of incoming radiation is equal to the amount of outgoing radiation.
    d) the amount of energy emitted from the sun increases

  10. Generally, daily temperatures reach a minimum around:
    a) midnight
    b) sunrise
    c) noon
    d) sunset



      

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