WX 201 20 Questions with 100% Correct
Answers
When we look at a cloud, it appears white because countless cloud droplets ____.
scatter all wavelengths of visible sunlight in all directions
If Earth did not have an atmosphere, the sky would appear ____ during the day.
black
Red sunsets, blue moons, and milky-white skies are mainly the result of ____.
scattering
Halos are caused by ____.
refraction of light passing through ice crystals
A mirage is caused by ____.
the bending of light by air of different densities
Because of atmospheric refraction, a star seen near Earth's horizon is actually ____.
slightly lower than it appears
The Sun radiates almost half of its energy as visible light.
True
Twilight is the name given to the time ____, when the sky remains illuminated and
allows outdoor activities without artificial lighting.
after sunset and immediately before sunrise
A wet-looking road surface on a clear, hot, dry day is an example of ____.
, shimmering
When the atmosphere becomes loaded with particles, only the ____ red wavelengths are
able to penetrate the atmosphere, and we see a ____ Sun.
longest; red
The sky will begin to turn milky white ____.
when small particles such as dust and salt become suspended in the air
A star much hotter than our Sun radiates more energy at ____.
shorter wavelengths and appears bluer
A ____ can only be seen when the Sun is to your back and it is raining in front of you.
rainbow
To see a rainbow, people must face the falling rain with the Sun at their backs.
True
Air molecules selectively scatter visible light because ____.
they are smaller than the wavelength of visible light
A superior mirage occurs when the air near the ground is much warmer than the air
above, and objects not only appear to be lower than they really are, but also inverted.
False
Secondary rainbows occur when ____.
two internal reflections of light occur in raindrops.
Answers
When we look at a cloud, it appears white because countless cloud droplets ____.
scatter all wavelengths of visible sunlight in all directions
If Earth did not have an atmosphere, the sky would appear ____ during the day.
black
Red sunsets, blue moons, and milky-white skies are mainly the result of ____.
scattering
Halos are caused by ____.
refraction of light passing through ice crystals
A mirage is caused by ____.
the bending of light by air of different densities
Because of atmospheric refraction, a star seen near Earth's horizon is actually ____.
slightly lower than it appears
The Sun radiates almost half of its energy as visible light.
True
Twilight is the name given to the time ____, when the sky remains illuminated and
allows outdoor activities without artificial lighting.
after sunset and immediately before sunrise
A wet-looking road surface on a clear, hot, dry day is an example of ____.
, shimmering
When the atmosphere becomes loaded with particles, only the ____ red wavelengths are
able to penetrate the atmosphere, and we see a ____ Sun.
longest; red
The sky will begin to turn milky white ____.
when small particles such as dust and salt become suspended in the air
A star much hotter than our Sun radiates more energy at ____.
shorter wavelengths and appears bluer
A ____ can only be seen when the Sun is to your back and it is raining in front of you.
rainbow
To see a rainbow, people must face the falling rain with the Sun at their backs.
True
Air molecules selectively scatter visible light because ____.
they are smaller than the wavelength of visible light
A superior mirage occurs when the air near the ground is much warmer than the air
above, and objects not only appear to be lower than they really are, but also inverted.
False
Secondary rainbows occur when ____.
two internal reflections of light occur in raindrops.
