25 question multiple choice practice quiz
Which of the following regarding the dimensions of the known universe, the Milky Way, and our solar system is not true?
On average, the Sun is approximately 150 million km (93 million mi) from Earth.
The Milky Way is approximately 100,000 light-years from side to side.
The known universe stretches approximately 12 billion light years in all directions.
Earth is closest to the sun during the month of June.
2.) Which of the following does not accurately describe Earth's distance from the Sun?
Earth is closer to the Sun in January (perihelion) and farther away in July (aphelion).
The Earth-Sun distance averages 150 million kilometers (93 million miles).
Due to Earth's circular orbit, Earth is always equidistant from the Sun throughout the year.
Slight variations in the amount of solar energy received throughout the year due to the Earth's elliptical orbit path.
It takes light an average of 8 minutes and 20 seconds to travel from the Sun to Earth.
3.) Which of the following is false?
The Sun and Solar System are part of the Milky Way Galaxy.
In addition to the Sun, several planets have enough mass to sustain nuclear reactions in their core.
Sunspots, caused by magnetic storms, are related to the level of solar activity.
The Sun produces energy through fusion.
The Sun converts 4.26 million metric tons of mass to heat and light energy every second.
4.) Earth's magnetosphere is generated by
nuclear fusion in Earth's core.
the atomic weights of atmospheric constituents.
motions of Earth's molten outer core.
nuclear fission in Earth's core.
5.)The Sun produces which of the following?
only radiant energy that is beneficial to life
mainly visible light and infrared energy
only solar wind
mainly ultraviolet and X-rays
primarily longer wave radiation
6.)Which of the following is true?
The Sun emits longwave radiation, whereas Earth emits shortwave radiation.
During the summer, the Sun emits shortwave radiation, while during the winter the Sun emits longwave radiation.
Because the Sun is so far away, it is impossible to measure the wavelengths of
its radiation.
The radiation emitted by the Sun and Earth are roughly the same wavelength.
The Sun emits shortwave radiation, whereas Earth emits longwave radiation.
7.) Earth intercepts approximately ________ of the Sun's total energy output.
1/400,000
1/2,000,000,000
1/100,000
1/150,000,000
8.) The Sun's altitude refers to
the angle of the Sun above the horizon.
the average insolation received at the thermopause when Earth is at its average distance from the Sun.
the subsolar point.
how far the Sun is from Earth.
the angular distance from the equator to the latitude at which direct overhead insolation is received.
9.) If the Sun is halfway between the horizon and directly overhead, its altitude is
66.5°.
0°.
23.5°.
90°.
45°.
10.) The sun's declination migrates through ________ of latitude annually.
23.5°
66.5°
30°
133°
47°
11.) Which of the following is correct regarding day length?
People living at the equator experience 6 hours difference in day length between the summer and winter.
The range of day length is shortest in the polar regions.
The equator always receives equal hours of day and night.
The range of day length is greatest in the tropics.
12.) Which of the following is not a reason for the seasons?
the revolution of Earth around the Sun
the oblate spheroidal shape of Earth
the timing of Earth's perihelion and aphelion
Earth's axial tilt
the orientation of Earth's axis
13.) Which of the following characterizes Earth's revolution?
It is clockwise when viewed from above the North Pole.
It is responsible for creating the circle of illumination, and hence, day/night relationships.
It takes approximately 24 hours.
Earth orbits the sun every 245.25 days.
It determines the timing of seasons and length of the year.
14.) The Southern Hemisphere's summer solstice occurs
at the same time as the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice.
during the Northern Hemisphere's equinox.
on or around December 21.
on or around March 20.
on or around June 21.
15. On the northern hemisphere's summer solstice, the northern polar region receives ________ daily insolation than areas nearer the equator because ________.
less; the Sun does not rise
more; the Sun is higher in the sky
less; the Sun is lower in the sky
more; the Sun does not set
16.) When light passes from one medium to another, resulting in a change in speed and direction of insolation
refraction occurs.
transmission happens.
it is usually not affected physically.
reflection occurs.
Rayleigh scattering is the predominant effect.
17.) A mirage is an example of
Mie scatter.
Rayleigh scatter.
Reflection.
Albedo.
refraction.
18.) Which of the following has the highest albedo?
Asphalt
fresh snow
Forests
grassy areas
19.) Earth's average overall albedo is
69 percent.
15 percent.
Unknown.
51 percent.
31 percent.
20.) The time of maximum daily temperature occurs
before the time of maximum insolation occurs, because the thermosphere transfers heat energy to the surface during the early morning hours as the D and E layers in the ionosphere become active.
at the same time that maximum insolation occurs, because that is when maximum energy is available for heating the air.
after the time of maximum insolation, because an energy surplus accumulates in the atmosphere while the Sun is still high in the sky and reaches a peak in mid-afternoon.
after the time of maximum insolation, because the ground starts to reflect heat energy in the late afternoon, and this creates an energy surplus.
21.) Temperature is
heat, as perceived by humans and other living things.
a form of energy.
a function of insolation and windspeed.
a measure of the average kinetic energy of individual molecules.
the flow of kinetic energy between molecules.
22.) Most countries use the ________ temperature scale.
Newton
Celsius
Fahrenheit
Kelvin
Rankine
23.) Conduction refers to
strong horizontal movement of air in the atmosphere.
the ability to do work.
the molecule-to-molecule transfer of heat energy.
the behavior of something.
strong vertical movement of air in the atmosphere.
24.) The insolation received at Earth's surface is
highest in northern Europe.
greatest over low-latitude deserts with their cloudless skies.
generally greater at high latitudes because of day length.
usually low at the equator.
25.) The reflective quality of a surface is known as its
Scattering.
Albedo.
specific heat.