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Light and Color in the Atmosphere

Multiple Choice Quiz

Choose the best answer.



1

When describing optical phenomena in the atmosphere, which of the following is true concerning distance and or direction.
A)actual distance, measured in kilometers is very important
B)distance in kilometers from the sun to a particular cloud is important
C)how much their directions differ from our point of view
D)terms used always refer to angular measurement in miles
2

The angular distance from the horizon upward to an object in the sky is its altitude distance. The point straight overhead has an altitude angle of:
A)22°
B)90°
C)44°
D)66°
3

Crepuscular rays are commonly seen at sunset or sunrise. They are actually:
A)a part of the water cycle made visible
B)special rays only emitted by the sun as it crosses the plane of the ecliptic
C)reflections of sunlight off the moon
D)a light-and-shadows phenomenon
4

Which of the following is not true concerning light.
A)we can observe directly light photons or waves
B)it can be described as particles and waves
C)a beam may be visualized as a bundle of waves
D)the spectrum of colors is a manifestation of light's different wavelengths
5

Refraction of light due to atmospheric density is greatest in which of the following locations.
A)tropical latitudes
B)middle latitudes
C)polar latitudes
D)middle latitudes
6

The bending of light as it passes around water droplets is called:
A)refraction
B)reflection
C)scattering
D)diffraction
7

Which of the following is true as concerns the blue color of the sky.
A)color intensity is greater with little moisture present
B)color intensity is consistent spatially and temporally
C)a deeper blue is found at lower angles
D)a lighter blue is found at higher angles
8

Which of the following is true concerning refraction.
A)it is greater for light of longer wavelengths
B)during the solar zenith the effect of apparent position is maximum
C)it disperses a beam of light into its component parts
D)when the sun is near the horizon the effect on apparent position is minimal
9

Which of the following is not true concerning coronas, halos, and rainbows.
A)If the sun is higher than 42° above the horizon the rainbow is not visible
B)rainbows are located at a specific point in the sky
C)rainbows form on the opposite side of the sky from the sun
D)coronas and halos are centered on the sun or moon
10

One factor that does not affect a cloud's brightness, except under certain special circumstances, is:
A)thickness of the cloud
B)amount of sunlight striking the cloud
C)chemical composition of the cloud
D)relative brightness of the surrounding sky