Astronomy 101 Chapter 10; Mastering
Astronomy Assignment Study Guide
Test.
The energy that warms Earth's surface comes primarily in the form of __________. - CORRECT ANSWER
visible light from the Sun
Earth's temperature remains fairly steady, which means that Earth must return nearly the same amount
of energy to space that it receives from the Sun. In what forms does Earth return most of this energy to
space?
Check all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER -infrared light emitted by the surface and atmosphere
-visible light reflected by clouds
-visible light reflected by the surface
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor, make Earth warmer than
it would be otherwise because these gases __________. - CORRECT ANSWER absorb infrared light
emitted by the surface
According to scientists, the naturally occurring greenhouse effect makes Earth about 31∘C warmer than
it would be if there were no greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. How do scientists "know" what
Earth's temperature would be without greenhouse gases? - CORRECT ANSWER They calculate this
temperature from Earth's reflectivity and distance from the Sun.
All of the following statements are true. Which one provides strong observational support for the claim
that greenhouse gases make a planet warmer than it would be otherwise? - CORRECT ANSWER Venus
has a higher average temperature than Mercury.
Based solely on an understanding of the greenhouse effect (as displayed in the figure), which one of the
following statements is true? - CORRECT ANSWER We should expect an increase in the greenhouse gas
concentration to lead to global warming.
Astronomy Assignment Study Guide
Test.
The energy that warms Earth's surface comes primarily in the form of __________. - CORRECT ANSWER
visible light from the Sun
Earth's temperature remains fairly steady, which means that Earth must return nearly the same amount
of energy to space that it receives from the Sun. In what forms does Earth return most of this energy to
space?
Check all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER -infrared light emitted by the surface and atmosphere
-visible light reflected by clouds
-visible light reflected by the surface
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor, make Earth warmer than
it would be otherwise because these gases __________. - CORRECT ANSWER absorb infrared light
emitted by the surface
According to scientists, the naturally occurring greenhouse effect makes Earth about 31∘C warmer than
it would be if there were no greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. How do scientists "know" what
Earth's temperature would be without greenhouse gases? - CORRECT ANSWER They calculate this
temperature from Earth's reflectivity and distance from the Sun.
All of the following statements are true. Which one provides strong observational support for the claim
that greenhouse gases make a planet warmer than it would be otherwise? - CORRECT ANSWER Venus
has a higher average temperature than Mercury.
Based solely on an understanding of the greenhouse effect (as displayed in the figure), which one of the
following statements is true? - CORRECT ANSWER We should expect an increase in the greenhouse gas
concentration to lead to global warming.
