The layer of the ocean closest to the surface is called the:
- coral zone
- deep zone
- mixed layer
- thermocline
The primary driver that affects the climate system is energy Earth receives from:
- its core
- human industry
- the sun
- the ocean
What is a "driver" when it comes to the climate system?
- Something that causes changes in climate.
- Something that is affected by changes in climate.
- Something that's been in the system for a long time.
- Something that's been in the system for a short time.
The ocean is good at absorbing CO2. The deep ocean reservoir can hold CO2 for how long?
- thousands of years
- a year
- tens of years
- millions of years
Continents help determine current patterns because:
- currents flow away from them
- currents flow toward them
- currents are deflected by them
- currents flow under them
The eccentricity of the Earth changes approximately every 10,000 years. This has an effect on:
- the lunar cycle
- the cycle of the seasons
- the ice age cycle
- the day/night cycle
The ocean is the climate system's largest driver because it holds nearly all the climate system's:
- life and movement
- helium and hydrogen
- thermal energy and carbon
- water and salt
The largest contribution to the biosphere are plants. An important part of plant respiration is that they intake (breathe in):
- methane
- oxygen
- Nitrogen
- carbon dioxide
The tilt of the Earth shifts over 40,000 year cycles. The larger the angle of the tilt:
- The larger the difference is between seasons.
- The smaller the difference is between the seasons.
- The slower the night and day cycle.
- The faster the night and day cycle.
Volcanic eruptions can be an important factor in the changing climate because large eruptions can produce a lot of:
- Ash
- methane
- carbon dioxide
- heat
The high specific heat of water is responsible for which of the following statements:
- In winter, the ocean water is warmer than the air.
- Heating water causes it to boil.
- In winter, the ocean water is cooler than the air.
- Cooling water causes it to freeze.
Water is an excellent solvent. This means that:
- most substances can absorb water
- most substances can float in water
- most substances can sink in water
- most substances can dissolve in water
The layer of the ocean at the very bottom is called the:
- mixed layer
- deep zone
- coral zone
- thermocline
Of all the parts of the climate system, the ocean holds the most?
- electric energy
- elastic energy
- thermal energy
- light energy
About how long does it take a single molecule of water to complete one full circuit in the global ocean conveyor system?
- a million years
- a year
- a thousand years
- a hundred years
Water has a very high specific heat. This means?
- Most water is very cold.
- It takes very little energy to raise the temperature of 1.0 kg of water by a few degrees.
- It takes a lot of energy to raise the temperature of 1.0 kg of water by a few degrees.
- Most water is very warm.
Near the poles, water loses its thermal energy and becomes cold. When it does this it?
- sinks
- rises
- sublimates
- evaporates
Most volcanic activity occurs?
- in mountain ranges
- in the center of tectonic plates
- on the boundary of tectonic plates
- on islands
The largest contribution to the biosphere are plants. An important part of plant respiration is that they secrete (breathe out): ?
- Nitrogen
- oxygen
- methane
- carbon dioxide
What percentage of the Earth is covered by water?
- 30%
- 90%
- 70%
- 50%
The ocean acts as a reservoir for which of the following elements?
- carbon
- helium
- magnesium
- Iron
For us in the northern hemisphere, the days are shorter in the:?
- summer
- Winter
- spring
- fall
Why does ice float on top of water instead of sinking to the bottom of a body of water?
- When water freezes, it becomes less dense.
- When water freezes, it becomes heaver.
- When water freezes, it becomes more dense.
- When water freezes, it becomes lighter.
The long-lived greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, halocarbons, and nitrous oxide. Of the four, which one is acting as the greatest driver for the warming of the planet?
- carbon dioxide
- methane
- nitrous oxide
- halocarbons