Geography 104 Final Exam Questions With
Complete Answers
Understand patterns of pressure isobars on a surface weather map. - ANSWER Each
isobar on a map connects points with equal air pressure. Air pressure is expressed in
millibars (mb).
Explain the difference between relative humidity and dew point temperature, and which
is a better representation of the impacts of humidity on humans. - ANSWER Relative
humidity: The amount of water in the air relative to the amount the air can hold before
reaching saturation.
Dew Point Temperature: The temperature to which the air would have to cool to reach
saturation.
Dew Point Temperature is a better representation of the impact humidity has on
humans, because it measures the temperature and how it feels, not just how much
moisture is in the air.
Describe the relationship between pressure, density, and temperature using the Ideal Gas
Law - ANSWER Pressure x Volume = Constant x Temperature
Pressure = Density x Constant x Temperature
Explain why temperature decreases with height in the troposphere - ANSWER The
troposphere receives the majority of its heating from the bottom (the surface) up instead
of from the sun. The sun's radiation reaches the surface and some is reflected back up.
, Understand the connection between pressure gradients and wind - ANSWER Fluids move
from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure across pressure gradients. Pressure
gradients are what causes wind in the troposphere.
Be able to differentiate between the Stefan-Boltzman Law and Wien's Law, and describe
each - ANSWER Stefan-Boltzman Law: The intensity of energy radiated by a blackbody
increases according to the fourth power of its absolute temperature.
Wien's Law: the wavelength of peak emission is proportional to the absolute
temperature of the object
Explain why Earth has seasons and what causes the seasons to occur - ANSWER Seasons
are variation in sun radiation received during the course of a year. They are caused by
Earth's revolution.
Know the 1st and 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics - ANSWER 1st Law: Energy must be
conserved.
2nd Law: Heat is always transferred from areas of high temperature to areas of low
temperature.
Describe albedo and understand why different objects' albedos lead to different
amounts of reflected radiation - ANSWER Albedo is the percentage of insolation
reflected by an object or substance. Color has a lot to do with it. White surfaces,
especially ice and snow, have the highest albedo.
Describe the Earth's natural greenhouse effect and what causes it - ANSWER Certain
gases and water vapor permit the transmission of solar radiation, but trap it in the
Complete Answers
Understand patterns of pressure isobars on a surface weather map. - ANSWER Each
isobar on a map connects points with equal air pressure. Air pressure is expressed in
millibars (mb).
Explain the difference between relative humidity and dew point temperature, and which
is a better representation of the impacts of humidity on humans. - ANSWER Relative
humidity: The amount of water in the air relative to the amount the air can hold before
reaching saturation.
Dew Point Temperature: The temperature to which the air would have to cool to reach
saturation.
Dew Point Temperature is a better representation of the impact humidity has on
humans, because it measures the temperature and how it feels, not just how much
moisture is in the air.
Describe the relationship between pressure, density, and temperature using the Ideal Gas
Law - ANSWER Pressure x Volume = Constant x Temperature
Pressure = Density x Constant x Temperature
Explain why temperature decreases with height in the troposphere - ANSWER The
troposphere receives the majority of its heating from the bottom (the surface) up instead
of from the sun. The sun's radiation reaches the surface and some is reflected back up.
, Understand the connection between pressure gradients and wind - ANSWER Fluids move
from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure across pressure gradients. Pressure
gradients are what causes wind in the troposphere.
Be able to differentiate between the Stefan-Boltzman Law and Wien's Law, and describe
each - ANSWER Stefan-Boltzman Law: The intensity of energy radiated by a blackbody
increases according to the fourth power of its absolute temperature.
Wien's Law: the wavelength of peak emission is proportional to the absolute
temperature of the object
Explain why Earth has seasons and what causes the seasons to occur - ANSWER Seasons
are variation in sun radiation received during the course of a year. They are caused by
Earth's revolution.
Know the 1st and 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics - ANSWER 1st Law: Energy must be
conserved.
2nd Law: Heat is always transferred from areas of high temperature to areas of low
temperature.
Describe albedo and understand why different objects' albedos lead to different
amounts of reflected radiation - ANSWER Albedo is the percentage of insolation
reflected by an object or substance. Color has a lot to do with it. White surfaces,
especially ice and snow, have the highest albedo.
Describe the Earth's natural greenhouse effect and what causes it - ANSWER Certain
gases and water vapor permit the transmission of solar radiation, but trap it in the
