APES Ch 15 Test Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: The Earth's incoming solar radiation (INSOLATION) is comprised almost entirely what
type(s) of EM waves?
Answer: visible, ultraviolet
Question 2: The Earth's outgoing (radiated) waves are comprised almost entirely of what types(s) or
Electromagnetic waves?
Answer: infrared
Question 3: Over ¾ of our atmosphere consist of:
Answer: N2
Question 4: Weather events take place in the: (sphere)
Answer: Troposphere
Question 5: Ozone exists in the: (sphere)
Answer: stratosphere
Question 6: The outermost layer is the: (sphere)
Answer: thermosphere
Question 7: What is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere?
Answer: water vapor
Question 8: Insolation is:
Answer: Incoming solar energy
Question 9: As warm ocean water evaporates it creates a ____ pressure area. Why?
Answer: low, Warm, moist air rises, leaving low density air below (just the opposite occurs as cool air
sinks, creating a high pressure area)
Question 10: The higher the temperature, the ___________ water vapor our atmosphere holds.
Answer: more
Page 1
, Question 11: Rising air __________ and can hold ___________ water.
Answer: cools, less (therefore it rains)
Question 12: Descending air __________ and can hold ___________ water.
Answer: Warms, more, therefore it tends to be dry
Question 13: Temperature and density drive convection currents in the
Answer: ocean and atmosphere
Question 14: Density of ocean water depends on what?
Answer: temperature and salinity
Question 15: Atmospheric winds are driven by:
Answer: The Coriolis Effect and uneven heating of the Earth's surface
Question 16: During El Niño years, weak trade winds cause the low-pressure areas of the Pacific ocean
to be _________ from the U.S., and therefore there are _________ rain events off the California coast.
This also results in __________ upwelling of nutrients off the South American Pacific coastline.
Answer: further, less very little
Question 17: Under natural conditions (non-anthropologic) climate:
Answer: Changes, but only over thousands of years
Question 18: What are the three cycles of the Milankovitch cycle?
Answer: Eccentricity of orbit Slight axis tilt change Axial wobble
Question 19: Climate change has disrupted habitats for many native plants and animals, across the
globe. Native species living the Northern Hemisphere tend to move _________________ as a result of a
changing climate.
Answer: north
Question 20: Which of the following greenhouse gases could be associated with a negative feedback
loop?
Answer: Water vapor (increases could increase snowfall in mountaintops, increasing albedo, decreasing the
rising temperatures that cause the increase in water vapor)
Page 2
Question 1: The Earth's incoming solar radiation (INSOLATION) is comprised almost entirely what
type(s) of EM waves?
Answer: visible, ultraviolet
Question 2: The Earth's outgoing (radiated) waves are comprised almost entirely of what types(s) or
Electromagnetic waves?
Answer: infrared
Question 3: Over ¾ of our atmosphere consist of:
Answer: N2
Question 4: Weather events take place in the: (sphere)
Answer: Troposphere
Question 5: Ozone exists in the: (sphere)
Answer: stratosphere
Question 6: The outermost layer is the: (sphere)
Answer: thermosphere
Question 7: What is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere?
Answer: water vapor
Question 8: Insolation is:
Answer: Incoming solar energy
Question 9: As warm ocean water evaporates it creates a ____ pressure area. Why?
Answer: low, Warm, moist air rises, leaving low density air below (just the opposite occurs as cool air
sinks, creating a high pressure area)
Question 10: The higher the temperature, the ___________ water vapor our atmosphere holds.
Answer: more
Page 1
, Question 11: Rising air __________ and can hold ___________ water.
Answer: cools, less (therefore it rains)
Question 12: Descending air __________ and can hold ___________ water.
Answer: Warms, more, therefore it tends to be dry
Question 13: Temperature and density drive convection currents in the
Answer: ocean and atmosphere
Question 14: Density of ocean water depends on what?
Answer: temperature and salinity
Question 15: Atmospheric winds are driven by:
Answer: The Coriolis Effect and uneven heating of the Earth's surface
Question 16: During El Niño years, weak trade winds cause the low-pressure areas of the Pacific ocean
to be _________ from the U.S., and therefore there are _________ rain events off the California coast.
This also results in __________ upwelling of nutrients off the South American Pacific coastline.
Answer: further, less very little
Question 17: Under natural conditions (non-anthropologic) climate:
Answer: Changes, but only over thousands of years
Question 18: What are the three cycles of the Milankovitch cycle?
Answer: Eccentricity of orbit Slight axis tilt change Axial wobble
Question 19: Climate change has disrupted habitats for many native plants and animals, across the
globe. Native species living the Northern Hemisphere tend to move _________________ as a result of a
changing climate.
Answer: north
Question 20: Which of the following greenhouse gases could be associated with a negative feedback
loop?
Answer: Water vapor (increases could increase snowfall in mountaintops, increasing albedo, decreasing the
rising temperatures that cause the increase in water vapor)
Page 2
