SAMPLE  EXAMINATION

Name:                                                                 
CID#                                                                                                                                                                           Physics 137, Introduction to the Atmosphere and Weather
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Unit Test #1
                                                                                                                                                                                                   Thursday, February XX, 200X
Maximum score: 100 points. No time limit. Submit test copy and answer                                                                                     Instructor: Clark G. Christensen

MULTIPLE CHOICE (2 points per question)

1. Which of the following is the smallest unit of temperature measure? (a) 1°C, (b) 1°F, (c) 1K, (d) both 1°C and 1K which are the same size.

2. On a particular day each of the following locations has a maximum temperature of 45°F. Skies are clear at all locations. Which is likely to have the lowest
    temperature the next morning, assuming that the skies remain clear at all locations. (a) a seaside location, (b) a humid, high altitude valley floor, (c) a dry, high
    altitude valley floor, (d) a humid, low altitude valley floor, (e) a dry, low altitude valley floor.

3. The atmospheric layer in which we live is known as the (a) exosphere, (b) ionosphere, (c) mesosphere, (d) thermosphere, (e) troposphere.

4. In a vacuum heat is transported only by (a) advection, (b) conduction, (c) convection, (d) radiation, (e) sublimation.

5. The sun emits its greatest intensity of radiation in which of the following spectral regions? (a) far infrared, (b) microwave, (c) near infrared, (d) radio, (e)
    ultraviolet, (f) visible.

6. If a condition produces negative feedback then that feedback tends to (a) strengthen the condition which causes it, (b) weaken the condition which causes it,
   (c) cause favorable consequences, (d) cause unfavorable consequences, (e) none of the preceding.

7. A clear but milky white sky can result from (a) a dangerously high concentration of atmospheric ozone, (b) the suspension of significant amounts of small particles
    such as dust and salt in the air, (c) an unusually low relative humidity, (d) oppressively high temperatures.

8. The maximum and minimum temperatures for a hypothetical October week in Provo are as follows: Sunday: 63°F, 37°F; Monday: 66°F, 38°F; Tuesday:
    73°F, 41°F; Wednesday: 81°F, 55°F; Thursday: 59°F, 39°F; Friday: 50°F, 34°F; Saturday: 54°F; 28°F. What is the number of heating degree-days
    accumulated during this period? (a) 0, (b) 34, (c) 96, (d) 99, (e) 183.

9. How many cooling degree-days would there be for a day with a maximum temperature of 92°F and a minimum temperature of 58°F. (Assume a base
    temperature of 65°F.) (a) 0, (b) 7, (c) 10, (d) 27, (e) 34.

10. Molecule-to-molecule contact transfers heat by the process of (a) advection, (b) conduction, (c) convection, (d) radiation.

11. When water changes directly from a gas to a solid the process is known as (a) condensation, (b) crystallization, (c) deposition, (d) evaporation, (e)
      sublimation.

12. The thermosphere is warmed mainly by the (a) absorption of ultraviolet radiation by ozone, (b) release of latent heat in the formation of cumulus clouds, (c)
      frictional heating associated with meteoric bombardment, (d) chemical reactions involving chlorofluorocarbons and various other atmospheric gases, (e)
      absorption of ultraviolet solar radiation by ordinary oxygen (O2) molecules.

13. Which of the following atmospheric optical phenomena does not involve the refraction of light? A/an (a) inferior mirage, (b) rainbow, (c) sundog, (d) sun
      pillar, (e) superior mirage.

14. During what northern season are the northern hemisphere isotherms farthest apart on the average? (a) spring, (b) summer, (c) fall, (d) winter.

15. The two most abundant gases, by volume, in the earth's atmosphere are (a) carbon dioxide and nitrogen, (b) carbon dioxide and oxygen, (c) carbon dioxide
     and water vapor, (d) nitrogen and oxygen, (e) nitrogen and water vapor.

16. A rare noontime rainbow could occur in Provo only in which of the following months? (a) April, (b) July, (c) September, (d) December.

17. On a clear, calm spring day a weather observer notes the temperature at the five following times during the day. At which of these times is the temperature
      likely to be highest? (a) 7am, (b) 10am, (c) 1pm, (d) 4pm, (e) 7pm.

18. At the time of the northern winter solstice which of the following is true? (a) The noon sun is overhead on the Tropic of Capricorn. (b) The sun does not shine
      at any position inside of the Antarctic Circle. (c) The equator is experiencing the season in which it receives maximum radiative energy from the sun. (d) Days
      and nights are of equal length in the northern hemisphere. (e) All of the above.

19. During the past century atmospheric carbon dioxide has been (a) increasing in concentration, (b) decreasing in concentration, (c) virtually constant in
      concentration, (d) destroying stratospheric ozone, (e) drastically lowered in concentration over the southern polar region.

To test your preparedness for test number 1, attempt to answer the above questions.  Then check your answers by clicking on Sample Exam Key.