ERTH 110- EXAM 3 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% PASS
What is the main external energy source for Earth? - ANS The Sun (solar radiation)
What percentage of solar radiation is UV? - ANS 10%
What is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases? - ANS CO₂ (carbon dioxide)
What is the most potent greenhouse gas? - ANS CH₄ (methane)
What process describes the absorption and re-radiation of infrared by greenhouse gases? -
ANS The Greenhouse Effect
What happens to Earth's climate when energy in exceeds energy out? - ANS Warming occurs
What is the difference between weather and climate? - ANS Weather is short-term
atmospheric conditions; climate is long-term average patterns over decades.
What drives the hydrologic cycle? - ANS Solar energy
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What is the sequence of the hydrologic cycle? - ANS Evaporation → condensation →
precipitation
What causes wind? - ANS Pressure gradients from uneven heating
What are the three types of winds influenced by Earth's rotation? - ANS Trade winds,
Westerlies, Polar Easterlies
What is the primary cause of severe cold outbreaks? - ANS Polar vortex disruptions
What is the most dangerous weather hazard? - ANS Extreme heat
What are the stages of thunderstorm formation? - ANS Early (cumulus), Mature (updrafts +
downdrafts), Dissipating (downdrafts dominate)
What is the main cause of fatalities during tornadoes? - ANS Flying debris
What conditions are necessary for hurricane formation? - ANS Warm ocean water (≥80°F),
rising moist air, low pressure center, Coriolis effect
What scale is used to categorize hurricanes? - ANS Saffir-Simpson Scale
What were the damages caused by Hurricane Katrina? - ANS $125 Billion in damages
What are the pros and cons of floods? - ANS Pros: Fertile soils, nutrient deposition; Cons:
Loss of property, disease outbreaks, water contamination, infrastructure damage
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
ANSWERS 100% PASS
What is the main external energy source for Earth? - ANS The Sun (solar radiation)
What percentage of solar radiation is UV? - ANS 10%
What is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases? - ANS CO₂ (carbon dioxide)
What is the most potent greenhouse gas? - ANS CH₄ (methane)
What process describes the absorption and re-radiation of infrared by greenhouse gases? -
ANS The Greenhouse Effect
What happens to Earth's climate when energy in exceeds energy out? - ANS Warming occurs
What is the difference between weather and climate? - ANS Weather is short-term
atmospheric conditions; climate is long-term average patterns over decades.
What drives the hydrologic cycle? - ANS Solar energy
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What is the sequence of the hydrologic cycle? - ANS Evaporation → condensation →
precipitation
What causes wind? - ANS Pressure gradients from uneven heating
What are the three types of winds influenced by Earth's rotation? - ANS Trade winds,
Westerlies, Polar Easterlies
What is the primary cause of severe cold outbreaks? - ANS Polar vortex disruptions
What is the most dangerous weather hazard? - ANS Extreme heat
What are the stages of thunderstorm formation? - ANS Early (cumulus), Mature (updrafts +
downdrafts), Dissipating (downdrafts dominate)
What is the main cause of fatalities during tornadoes? - ANS Flying debris
What conditions are necessary for hurricane formation? - ANS Warm ocean water (≥80°F),
rising moist air, low pressure center, Coriolis effect
What scale is used to categorize hurricanes? - ANS Saffir-Simpson Scale
What were the damages caused by Hurricane Katrina? - ANS $125 Billion in damages
What are the pros and cons of floods? - ANS Pros: Fertile soils, nutrient deposition; Cons:
Loss of property, disease outbreaks, water contamination, infrastructure damage
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
