The Test on The Atmosphere of Earth consists of 18 questions. Correct answers will be provided after your answers have been submitted.

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1		The most abundant gas in the atmosphere is
			A)	argon.
			B)	oxygen.
			C)	nitrogen.
			D)	water vapor.
2		The atmospheric gas that exists in variable amounts is
			A)	oxygen.
			B)	water vapor.
			C)	nitrogen.
			D)	argon.
3		The height of a mercury column in a barometer depends on
			A)	the width of the glass tube.
			B)	the height of the glass tube.
			C)	atmospheric pressure alone.
			D)	the width and height of the glass tube and the density of mercury.
4		About how much incoming solar radiation makes it through the atmosphere to reach the earth's surface?
			A)	about a tenth
			B)	about a quarter
			C)	about half
			D)	all of it
5		Incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the earth's surface, which emits the energy with
			A)	about the same wavelength.
			B)	wavelengths longer than visible light.
			C)	wavelengths shorter than visible light.
			D)	variable wavelengths ranging over a wide range of frequencies on both sides of visible light.
6		The greenhouse effect occurs because outgoing radiation is partly absorbed by
			A)	oxygen and water vapor.
			B)	carbon dioxide and oxygen.
			C)	carbon dioxide and water vapor.
			D)	oxygen, nitrogen, and argon.
7		Temperature increases with altitude in the
			A)	stratosphere.
			B)	troposphere.
			C)	mesosphere.
			D)	no, temperature never increases with altitude.
8		A sea breeze is partly a result of
			A)	density differences between soil and water.
			B)	differences in specific heat of soil and water.
			C)	storms out at sea.
			D)	dust devils over adjacent land areas.
9		One of the factors that influences the movement of warm and cool air masses is a wave in the
			A)	prevailing westerlies.
			B)	jet stream.
			C)	northeast trade wind belt.
			D)	intertropical convergence belt.
10		A news story reports a humidity of 60%. This is a report on the
			A)	water vapor capacity.
			B)	dew point.
			C)	absolute humidity.
			D)	relative humidity.
11		The temperature to which air must be cooled to result in a relative humidity of 100% is called the
			A)	dew point temperature.
			B)	condensation point temperature.
			C)	wind cooling factor.
			D)	absolute temperature.
12		If the temperature of an object is below 0° C
			A)	frost will fall from the air onto the object.
			B)	frost will form directly on the object.
			C)	the dew point cannot be reached.
			D)	dew will form, which freezes into frost.
13		Tiny droplets of water can form in air when the relative humidity reaches 100% only if the air
			A)	can hold more water vapor.
			B)	contains dust or smoke particles.
			C)	has not reached the dew point.
			D)	is not being cooled.
14		Frost would be most likely to form
			A)	under trees on a windy night.
			B)	in the open on a calm, cloudy night.
			C)	in the open on a calm, clear night.
			D)	under trees on a calm, cloudy night.
15		The air temperature is 35 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind is blowing 20 mph, giving a wind chill factor of 12 degrees Fahrenheit. This means
			A)	this is how cold you will feel.
			B)	water will freeze in a bowl on the ground.
			C)	a car radiator will need antifreeze protection down to 12 degrees F.
			D)	all of the above.
16		Air moving from a higher altitude to a lower altitude on the side of a mountain
			A)	is cooled since cool air is more dense.
			B)	will have a higher absolute humidity.
			C)	will have a higher relative humidity.
			D)	is warmed by compression.
17		The intertropical convergence zone has tropical rain forests because
			A)	sinking air warms, increasing the relative humidity.
			B)	rising air cools as it is pushed upward.
			C)	it is a high pressure belt of descending air.
			D)	dry rising air is moved horizontally by the jet stream.
18		The major factor that sets the stage for wind to blow is
			A)	the fact that warm air will hold more water vapor than cool air.
			B)	the fact that air becomes cooler when water vapor is condensed.
			C)	that rising air becomes warmer from compression.
			D)	uneven heating of the earth's surface.