Climate

C) Temperature decreases

Explanation: As latitude increases from the equator toward the poles, there is a distinct trend of decreasing mean annual temperature, which is a direct consequence of the decline in net radiation.

B) It deflects in the direction of the spin

Explanation: The law of angular motion states that an object moving from a greater circumference to a lesser circumference will deflect in the direction of the Earth's spin.

C) To circulate water and heat

Explanation: Gyres are crucial for circulating water and heat across the oceans, influencing climate and weather patterns globally.

C) The Coriolis effect

Explanation: The text specifically describes the Coriolis effect, which explains the deflection of air masses and moving objects in different hemispheres.

B) Surface temperature decreases

Explanation: If the quantity of outgoing longwave radiation exceeds the incoming shortwave radiation, the surface temperature decreases, indicating a net loss of energy.

B) Positive (surplus) and negative (deficit)

Explanation: The text specifies that there are regions of positive (surplus) and negative (deficit) net radiation, indicating the variation in energy received across different areas.

B) <0.1

Explanation: Black objects have a very low albedo of less than 0.1, indicating that they reflect less than 10% of the infrared energy that hits them.

C) Causes clockwise movement

Explanation: The Coriolis force influences ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere, resulting in a clockwise movement of currents, which is a key characteristic of ocean circulation patterns.

C) Higher temperatures increase moisture content

Explanation: Higher temperatures allow air to hold more moisture, influencing the overall humidity and moisture content in the atmosphere.

D) Wind patterns

Explanation: The movement of gyres is primarily driven by wind patterns, which create the circular motion of these currents in the ocean.

B) The direction of ocean currents

Explanation: The Coriolis Effect influences the direction of ocean currents and wind patterns due to the rotation of the Earth, causing moving air and water to turn and twist rather than travel in a straight line.

D) Winter

Explanation: Winter is characterized by freezing temperatures and often snow-covered landscapes, marking a distinct seasonal change from the warmer months.

C) Changes in net radiation across latitudes

Explanation: The text indicates that there is a distinct latitudinal pattern of surface radiation, which suggests that net radiation varies systematically with latitude.

B) Annually averaged near-surface air temperature from 1961 to 1990

Explanation: The global map is based on data collected from 1961 to 1990, showing the annually averaged near-surface air temperature, which helps in understanding historical climate patterns.

B) It is forced into a smaller space, increasing density

Explanation: As air moves poleward, it experiences longitudinal compression, which forces it into a smaller space and increases its density, affecting its movement and behavior in the atmosphere.

B) The Coriolis effect and longitudinal compression

Explanation: The combination of the Coriolis effect and longitudinal compression prevents a simple, direct flow of air from the equator to the poles, leading to more complex wind patterns.

C) The reflectivity of a surface

Explanation: Albedo specifically measures how reflective a surface is, indicating the proportion of solar energy that is reflected back into the atmosphere.

B) 24 hours

Explanation: Each point on Earth's surface completes a rotation every 24 hours, which is the basis for our day-night cycle.

C) >0.8

Explanation: White objects have a high albedo of greater than 0.8, meaning they reflect more than 80% of the infrared energy that strikes them.

C) They are found only in the Atlantic Ocean

Explanation: Gyres are not limited to the Atlantic Ocean; they are present in all major oceans, making option C incorrect.

B) To transport warm tropical waters northward

Explanation: The Gulf Stream is known for carrying warm tropical waters northward along the east coast of North America, which plays a significant role in moderating temperatures in Western Europe.

B) Trade winds, westerly winds, and easterly winds

Explanation: The belts and cells of air circulation around a rotating Earth primarily give rise to trade winds, westerly winds, and easterly winds, which are essential components of global wind patterns.

C) The amount of energy absorbed or released during a change of state

Explanation: Latent heat refers to the energy that is either absorbed or released per gram when matter changes from one state to another, highlighting its importance in phase transitions.

B) It merges with cold waters

Explanation: As the Gulf Stream moves northward, it carries warm tropical waters into the cold waters of the North Atlantic, which influences the overall climate of the region.

C) Warm air has a greater quantity of thermal energy

Explanation: Warm air possesses more thermal energy, which supports evaporation and allows it to hold a greater capacity for water vapor compared to cold air.

B) The ratio of current vapor pressure to saturation vapor pressure multiplied by 100

Explanation: Relative humidity is defined as the ratio of the current vapor pressure to the saturation vapor pressure, expressed as a percentage, indicating how close the air is to being saturated with moisture.

B) Gyres

Explanation: The major circular currents in the ocean are referred to as gyres, which play a significant role in ocean circulation and climate.

B) Five

Explanation: There are five major circular currents known as gyres in the world's oceans, which are essential for understanding oceanic circulation patterns.

D) All of the above

Explanation: Changes in seasonality with latitude can include increased rainfall in tropical regions, longer days in summer at higher latitudes, and consistent temperatures year-round at the equator, illustrating how latitude affects seasonal patterns.

B) The difference in temperature between the coldest and warmest month

Explanation: The annual temperature range is defined as the difference in temperature (°C) between the coldest and warmest month of the year, providing insight into seasonal temperature variations.

D) More than 80%

Explanation: White objects reflect more than 80% of infrared energy, which is indicative of their high albedo.

C) G. C. Coriolis

Explanation: The Coriolis effect is named after the 19th-century French mathematician G. C. Coriolis, who was the first to analyze this phenomenon.

B) 0.06

Explanation: Ocean water has a low albedo of about 0.06, indicating that it absorbs most of the solar radiation that hits its surface, contributing to the warming of ocean waters.

B) Sea ice has a higher albedo

Explanation: Sea ice has an albedo of about 0.6, which is significantly higher than the albedo of ocean water at about 0.06, meaning sea ice reflects more solar radiation than ocean water.

B) Water vapor condenses and forms clouds

Explanation: When relative humidity reaches 100 percent, the air is saturated, leading to the condensation of water vapor and the formation of clouds.

B) To the right

Explanation: In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis Effect causes winds to deflect to the right, influencing weather patterns and ocean currents.

C) They vary seasonally

Explanation: As the seasons change, surface temperatures vary significantly, transitioning from the hot days of summer to the cooler temperatures of fall and winter, and then warming again in spring.

B) Earth's rotation about its axis

Explanation: The diurnal cycle, which results in the brightness of day followed by the darkness of night, is caused by Earth's rotation about an axis that passes through the North and South Poles.

B) Some areas receive significantly more precipitation than others

Explanation: The statement highlights that precipitation varies greatly across different regions of the Earth, with some areas experiencing much higher levels of rainfall compared to others, affecting climate and ecosystems.

C) It increases with air temperature

Explanation: Saturation vapor pressure increases as air temperature rises, indicating a direct relationship between temperature and the capacity of air to hold moisture.

B) The temperature at which saturation vapor pressure occurs for a given vapor pressure

Explanation: The dew point is defined as the temperature at which the saturation vapor pressure is reached for a specific vapor pressure, indicating the point at which condensation begins.

B) To the left (counterclockwise)

Explanation: In the Southern Hemisphere, moving objects are deflected to the left, resulting in a counterclockwise motion, which is part of the Coriolis effect.

C) Shortwave and longwave radiation

Explanation: Solar radiation is divided into shortwave (solar) and longwave (thermal) radiation, which are essential for understanding how energy from the Sun interacts with the Earth's atmosphere.

B) Cold water

Explanation: In ocean current diagrams, blue arrows typically represent cool water, indicating the movement of colder currents in contrast to warm water represented by red arrows.

B) Rotation and revolution

Explanation: Earth is subject to two distinct motions: rotation about its axis and revolution around the Sun, which are fundamental to understanding its movement in space.

B) Energy is released

Explanation: When water goes from a less ordered state (gas) to a more ordered state (liquid), energy is released, which is a fundamental aspect of the latent heat concept.

B) The balance between incoming and outgoing radiation

Explanation: Net radiation refers to the balance between the incoming shortwave radiation absorbed by the Earth's surface and the outgoing longwave radiation emitted back into space.

B) Distinct gradient of decreasing mean annual temperature from the equator toward the poles

Explanation: The decline in net radiation with latitude results in a clear gradient where mean annual temperatures decrease as one moves from the equator toward the poles, highlighting the relationship between radiation and temperature.

C) 1674 km per hour

Explanation: At the equator, where the Earth's circumference is widest, the speed of rotation is approximately 1674 km per hour.

B) To the right (clockwise)

Explanation: In the Northern Hemisphere, air masses are deflected to the right, resulting in a clockwise motion, which is a key characteristic of the Coriolis effect.

B) Latitude

Explanation: Latitude is the primary factor influencing annual variations in mean monthly solar radiation, as it affects the angle and intensity of sunlight received at different locations on Earth.

C) Surface temperature increases

Explanation: When the amount of incoming shortwave radiation exceeds the outgoing longwave radiation, the surface temperature increases, indicating a net gain of energy.

B) Ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light waves

Explanation: Solar radiation encompasses ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light waves, which represent a small part of the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

C) It moderates temperatures, making them milder

Explanation: The warm waters of the Gulf Stream help to moderate temperatures in Western Europe, leading to a milder climate compared to other regions at similar latitudes.

D) Precipitation falls

Explanation: When water or ice particles in the air become too heavy to remain suspended, they fall as precipitation, which can include rain, snow, or other forms.

B) Ships and rivers

Explanation: The text highlights that plastics are heavily released into the ocean from ships and rivers, indicating these as significant sources of ocean pollution.

B) They are commonly found with stomachs full of plastic bags

Explanation: The text states that dead beached whales are frequently discovered with their stomachs filled with plastic bags, illustrating the severe impact of plastic pollution on marine life.

C) It travels through a deeper layer of air

Explanation: Solar radiation that penetrates the atmosphere at a steep angle must travel through a deeper layer of air, which increases the likelihood of encountering particles that can reflect radiation back into space.

C) 20,130 km

Explanation: At 60° N or S, the Earth's circumference is approximately half that at the equator, measuring around 20,130 km.

A) Blue indicates cold temperatures

Explanation: In the color-enhanced satellite image, blue represents the coldest surface water temperatures, while the transition from blue to red indicates increasing temperatures, highlighting the warm waters carried by the Gulf Stream.

B) Energy is absorbed

Explanation: When water changes from a more ordered state (liquid) to a less ordered state (gas), energy is absorbed, which is a key concept in understanding phase changes.

C) Zero

Explanation: The average net radiation of the planet is zero, meaning that the incoming shortwave radiation absorbed by the surface is balanced by the outgoing longwave radiation, preventing significant temperature changes.

B) Earth's axial tilt

Explanation: The seasons on Earth are primarily caused by its axial tilt, which affects how solar radiation is distributed across the planet throughout the year, leading to seasonal variations.

C) Net radiation determines surface temperatures

Explanation: The amount of net radiation directly influences surface temperatures, as it represents the balance of incoming and outgoing radiation affecting the thermal state of the Earth's surface.

C) 23.5°

Explanation: The Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5° on its north-south axis, which significantly affects the angle of sunlight received at different latitudes throughout the year.

B) It spreads sunlight over a larger area

Explanation: At higher latitudes, solar radiation hits the surface at a steeper angle, which causes the sunlight to spread over a larger area, resulting in less concentrated energy and lower temperatures.

B) They reflect more shortwave radiation back into space

Explanation: As solar radiation travels through a deeper layer of air at higher latitudes, it encounters more atmospheric particles, which reflect a greater amount of shortwave radiation back into space, reducing the energy that reaches the surface.

D) 1979 – 2004

Explanation: The mean monthly temperatures used to define the annual temperature range are based on data collected from 1979 to 2004, ensuring a comprehensive analysis over a significant period.

B) Counterclockwise

Explanation: In the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolis force causes ocean currents to move in a counterclockwise direction, which is essential for understanding global ocean circulation.

C) It decreases

Explanation: As one moves from the equator to the poles, there is a noted decrease in the average amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface, which is a key concept in understanding climate variations.

B) The water vapor capacity of air

Explanation: Saturation vapor pressure refers to the maximum amount of water vapor that air can hold at a given temperature, indicating its capacity for moisture.

C) The direction they come from

Explanation: The belts of prevailing winds are named based on the direction from which they originate, which is crucial for understanding global wind patterns.

B) The average temperature would either increase or decrease

Explanation: If the average net radiation were not zero, it would lead to an imbalance that would cause the average temperature of the planet to either increase or decrease, affecting global climate.

C) It increases as temperature increases

Explanation: Saturation vapor pressure varies with temperature and increases as air temperature rises, indicating that warmer air can hold more moisture.

D) Cyclonic winds

Explanation: While trade, westerly, and easterly winds are directly associated with the belts and cells of air circulation, cyclonic winds are a result of specific weather systems rather than a primary wind type generated by the general circulation.

C) It decreases

Explanation: The text indicates a distinct latitudinal gradient of decreasing net surface radiation from the equator toward the poles, highlighting how solar energy distribution varies with latitude.

B) The latitudinal gradient of net surface radiation

Explanation: The global map of average annual surface radiation specifically shows the latitudinal gradient of decreasing net surface radiation from the equator to the poles, emphasizing the variation in solar energy received at different latitudes.

D) Counterclockwise

Explanation: The Earth spins on its axis from west to east, which is described as counterclockwise when viewed from above the North Pole.

C) Less than 10%

Explanation: Black objects reflect less than 10% of infrared energy, which is consistent with their low albedo value.

C) 0.6

Explanation: Sea ice and glaciers have a high albedo of about 0.6, meaning they reflect a significant portion of incoming solar radiation, which plays a crucial role in regulating Earth's temperature.

B) They create barriers that influence current direction

Explanation: Continental landmasses act as barriers that influence the direction and flow of ocean currents, shaping the overall patterns of circulation in the oceans.

C) Clockwise motion

Explanation: The Coriolis effect causes air masses in the Northern Hemisphere to exhibit a clockwise motion, which is a fundamental aspect of atmospheric dynamics.

B) The difference between incoming shortwave radiation and outgoing longwave radiation

Explanation: Net radiation is specifically defined as the difference between the incoming shortwave (solar) radiation and the outgoing longwave (terrestrial) radiation, which is crucial for determining surface temperatures.

B) Warm water

Explanation: Red arrows in ocean current diagrams signify warm water, illustrating the flow of warmer currents that play a crucial role in global climate and weather patterns.

C) It influences their rotation

Explanation: The Coriolis Effect affects the rotation of weather systems, contributing to the development of cyclones and anticyclones, which are crucial for understanding weather patterns.

B) They determine major patterns of surface water flow

Explanation: The global pattern of prevailing winds is crucial in shaping the major patterns of surface water flow in Earth's oceans, influencing the movement of ocean currents.

C) As a proportion (0 – 1.0)

Explanation: Albedo is expressed as a proportion ranging from 0 to 1.0, indicating the fraction of shortwave radiation striking a surface that is reflected.

A) Solar radiation hits the surface at a steeper angle

Explanation: At higher latitudes, solar radiation strikes the Earth's surface at a steeper angle, which spreads the sunlight over a larger area compared to the equator, affecting the amount of energy received.

B) Condensation occurs

Explanation: When vapor pressure exceeds saturation vapor pressure, condensation occurs, which reduces the vapor pressure back to a level that the air can hold.

C) It generates wind patterns

Explanation: Air circulation about a rotating Earth is crucial for generating wind patterns, including trade, westerly, and easterly winds, which play a significant role in weather and climate.

B) Westward

Explanation: Trade winds along the equator push warm surface waters westward, which is a key factor in ocean current formation.

B) Outgoing longwave radiation is greater

Explanation: During the night, the quantity of outgoing longwave radiation exceeds the incoming shortwave radiation, leading to a decrease in surface temperature.

B) The amount of water in a given volume of air

Explanation: Absolute humidity refers specifically to the quantity of water vapor present in a certain volume of air, making it a direct measure of moisture content.

B) The Earth's temperature remains constant

Explanation: When the incoming shortwave radiation is balanced with the outgoing longwave radiation, the average surface temperature of the Earth remains stable, around 15 °C.

C) Longwave radiation

Explanation: Earth, with an average surface temperature of 15 °C, emits longwave radiation, which is typical for cooler objects.

B) It marks the boundary between day and night

Explanation: The circle of illumination is significant as it represents the boundary between the illuminated (day) and dark (night) sides of the Earth, which changes with the tilt and orbit of the Earth.

B) It cools and relative humidity increases

Explanation: As a warm parcel of air rises, it cools down, which causes the relative humidity to increase due to the decrease in saturation vapor pressure, potentially leading to condensation.

B) It raises surface air pressure

Explanation: The sinking air at the poles increases surface air pressure, forming a high-pressure zone that influences atmospheric circulation.

B) It would circulate uniformly

Explanation: If Earth were stationary and devoid of irregular landmasses, the atmosphere would circulate in a uniform manner, following predictable patterns without disruption.

C) The long-term climate patterns

Explanation: The type of ecosystem, whether it be a tropical forest, grassy plain, or barren landscape, is primarily determined by the long-term climate patterns of the region, which influence temperature, precipitation, and other environmental factors.

B) It travels unimpeded until it reaches Earth's atmosphere

Explanation: Solar radiation travels through the vacuum of space without obstruction until it reaches the Earth's atmosphere, where it can be absorbed or reflected.

B) It decreases the intensity of sunlight

Explanation: As solar radiation spreads over a larger area at higher latitudes, the intensity of sunlight decreases, contributing to cooler temperatures in those regions compared to the equator.

B) The object's temperature

Explanation: The nature of the energy emitted by an object is directly related to its temperature, influencing the wavelength of the radiation emitted.

C) Shortwave (solar) and longwave (terrestrial) radiation

Explanation: Net radiation involves both shortwave (solar) radiation that is absorbed by the surface and longwave (terrestrial) radiation that is emitted back into space, highlighting the interaction between these two forms of radiation.

C) Shortwave radiation

Explanation: The Sun, with an average surface temperature of 5800 °C, emits shortwave radiation, which is characteristic of hotter objects.

B) Southern Hemisphere

Explanation: In the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolis Effect causes moving objects, including winds and ocean currents, to deflect to the left, contrasting with the rightward deflection in the Northern Hemisphere.

C) It alters the direction of wind due to the Coriolis effect

Explanation: The rotation of the Earth influences wind patterns by causing the Coriolis effect, which alters the direction of winds and contributes to the formation of distinct wind belts.

C) They form cool currents that flow toward the equator

Explanation: When eastward-moving currents encounter the western margins of continents, they form cool currents that flow along the coastline toward the equator.

C) It systematically increases

Explanation: Seasonality increases systematically from the equator towards the poles, indicating that regions further from the equator experience greater variations in climate and day length.

B) Water vapor turns into liquid water

Explanation: Condensation is the transformation of water vapor back into a liquid state, releasing an equivalent amount of energy as was required for evaporation.

C) Steeper angles require traveling through a deeper layer of air

Explanation: When solar radiation penetrates the atmosphere at a steep angle, it must travel through a deeper layer of air, which can reduce the amount of radiation that reaches the surface.

C) 15 °C

Explanation: The average surface temperature of the Earth remains approximately 15 °C, which is a result of the balance between incoming shortwave radiation and outgoing longwave radiation.

B) The quantity of shortwave radiation reflected by a surface

Explanation: Albedo refers to the reflectivity of a surface, specifically the proportion of shortwave radiation that is reflected back into space, which varies among different surfaces.

B) Yellow and red

Explanation: In the color-enhanced satellite image, yellow and red represent the warmest surface water temperatures, indicating the warm tropical waters carried by the Gulf Stream.

C) It is emitted back into space as terrestrial longwave radiation

Explanation: Some of the energy absorbed by the Earth's surface is emitted back into space as terrestrial longwave radiation, which plays a crucial role in the Earth's energy balance.

C) Changing colors of leaves

Explanation: The changing colors of leaves in fall signal the transition from summer to winter, showcasing the seasonal variations that occur as temperatures drop.

C) It is absorbed by the surface and contributes to net radiation

Explanation: Shortwave (SW) radiation is significant because it is absorbed by the Earth's surface, contributing to the net radiation calculation that ultimately affects surface temperatures.

C) Clockwise

Explanation: Within each gyre, ocean currents move clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, which is a key characteristic of oceanic circulation patterns.

C) Equatorial region

Explanation: The equatorial region is noted for receiving the largest annual input of solar radiation, resulting in a significant net radiation surplus compared to other regions.

C) Transformation of water from liquid to gas

Explanation: Evaporation is defined as the transformation of water from a liquid state to a gaseous state, requiring energy for this process.

B) They cool, become heavier, and sink

Explanation: As air masses move poleward, they cool down, increase in density, and subsequently sink, contributing to the circulation patterns of the atmosphere.

B) The combination of temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and cloudiness at a specific time and place

Explanation: Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and cloudiness, occurring at a specific place and time.

C) Six cells

Explanation: The movement of air creates a series of six cells, with three in each hemisphere, which play a significant role in atmospheric circulation and weather patterns.

C) The temperature at which saturation vapor pressure is achieved

Explanation: The dew point temperature is defined as the temperature at which a given water content of air reaches saturation vapor pressure, resulting in 100 percent relative humidity.

C) They split into north- and south-flowing currents

Explanation: When warm surface waters encounter the eastern margins of continents, they split into north- and south-flowing currents, forming gyres along the coasts.

C) Air circulation patterns

Explanation: Trade winds are primarily created by the air circulation patterns around the rotating Earth, which distribute heat and moisture across the globe.

C) Equinoxes and solstices

Explanation: The changes in the angle of the Sun and the circle of illumination during Earth's yearly orbit are illustrated by the equinoxes and the winter and summer solstices, which mark significant points in the Earth's orbit.

C) Water vapor and carbon dioxide

Explanation: Most of the longwave radiation emitted by the Earth's surface is absorbed by water vapor and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which is essential for the greenhouse effect.

B) Higher temperature results in shorter wavelengths

Explanation: The relationship indicates that as the temperature of an object increases, the wavelength of the emitted radiation decreases, leading to more energetic emissions.

B) Low atmospheric pressure

Explanation: The low atmospheric pressure established at the surface in the equatorial region causes air from the north and south to flow toward the equator, contributing to wind patterns.

D) X-rays

Explanation: While X-rays are part of the broader electromagnetic spectrum, they are not associated with solar radiation, which primarily includes ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light.

B) The long-term average pattern of weather

Explanation: Climate is defined as the long-term average pattern of weather, which can be assessed on local, regional, or global scales, distinguishing it from the more variable concept of weather.

C) The rotation of the Earth

Explanation: The Coriolis Effect is primarily caused by the rotation of the Earth, which affects the movement of air and water across the planet's surface.

C) It rises

Explanation: As nightfall approaches, temperatures drop, leading to an increase in relative humidity as the air cools and can hold less water vapor.

D) It influences the migration of the Sun's position overhead

Explanation: As Earth follows its elliptical orbit around the Sun, the location on the surface where the Sun is directly overhead at midday migrates between 23.5° N and 23.5° S latitude over the course of the year.

C) Westerly winds

Explanation: At higher latitudes, ocean currents encounter westerly winds, which produce eastward-moving currents.

C) Moisture in the air will condense

Explanation: When the actual vapor pressure matches the saturation vapor pressure, the air can no longer hold all the moisture, leading to condensation, which is a key process in cloud formation.

C) It is a day of continuous darkness

Explanation: During the winter solstice at the poles, there is a phenomenon of continuous darkness, where the sun does not rise, highlighting the extreme seasonal variations experienced in these regions.

B) Incoming shortwave radiation - reflective shortwave radiation

Explanation: The net shortwave radiation absorbed by the surface is calculated by subtracting reflective shortwave radiation from incoming shortwave radiation, which is essential for understanding energy absorption by the Earth's surface.

B) Air masses ascending and descending

Explanation: Areas of low and high pressure are produced as air masses ascend from and descend toward the surface, which is a fundamental aspect of atmospheric dynamics.

B) From the tropic of Cancer to the tropic of Capricorn

Explanation: The point on Earth's surface where the Sun is directly overhead migrates between the tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) and the tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S) as the Earth orbits the Sun throughout the year.

D) 0.8 – 0.9

Explanation: Surfaces covered by ice and snow have a high albedo, reflecting between 0.8 and 0.9 of the shortwave radiation that strikes them.

C) Gyres

Explanation: Each ocean is dominated by two great circular water motions known as gyres, which play a significant role in the movement of ocean currents.

B) The hotter the object, the more energetic the emitted photons

Explanation: As the temperature of an object increases, the energy of the emitted photons also increases, resulting in shorter wavelengths of radiation.

B) Little seasonality in net radiation, temperature, or day length

Explanation: The equatorial region is characterized by minimal variation throughout the year in net radiation, temperature, and day length, making it distinct from other regions.

B) 2260 joules

Explanation: The process of evaporation requires 2260 joules of energy per gram of liquid water to convert it into water vapor.

B) Wavelength and frequency

Explanation: Wavelength (lambda) and frequency (v) are the two key properties of waves that are important in understanding the characteristics of solar radiation.

B) It influences global weather patterns

Explanation: Geographic differences in surface net radiation are significant because they result in variations in temperature and pressure, which in turn influence global patterns of atmospheric circulation and weather.

C) The temperature of the surface

Explanation: The amount of energy emitted as longwave radiation is dependent on the temperature of the surface; hotter surfaces emit more radiant energy, which is a key concept in understanding thermal radiation.

B) It causes solar radiation to be distributed unevenly

Explanation: Earth's tilt causes solar radiation to be distributed unevenly across the planet, leading to the seasonal changes in temperature and climate experienced throughout the year.

D) Greenhouse gases

Explanation: The greenhouse effect, which keeps near-surface temperatures warmer, is primarily caused by greenhouse gases that absorb longwave radiation and emit it downward toward the surface.

B) Day length varies from 0 to 24 hours

Explanation: At the Arctic and Antarctic circles, day length can vary dramatically from 0 hours of daylight during the winter solstice to 24 hours of daylight during the summer solstice, showcasing extreme seasonal changes.

B) Pressure exerted by water vapor independent of dry air pressure

Explanation: Vapor pressure is defined as the amount of pressure that water vapor exerts independently of the pressure of dry air, measured in pascals (Pa).

B) Hidden energy

Explanation: The term 'latent' comes from the Latin word 'latens,' meaning hidden, indicating that this energy is not readily apparent during phase changes but is crucial for understanding energy transfer.

C) Currents

Explanation: Systematic patterns of water movement in the ocean are referred to as currents, which are influenced by various factors including wind and the Earth's rotation.

B) The long-term climate and precipitation patterns

Explanation: The formation of a barren landscape of sand dunes is influenced by long-term climate and precipitation patterns, which determine the availability of moisture and the types of vegetation that can thrive in the area.

B) The plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun

Explanation: The ecliptic plane refers to the plane in which Earth travels around the Sun, and it is essential for understanding the relationship between Earth's movements and the changing seasons.

C) Counterclockwise

Explanation: In the Southern Hemisphere, ocean currents move counterclockwise within each gyre, contrasting with the clockwise movement in the Northern Hemisphere.

B) The sun never sets

Explanation: On the summer solstice at the poles, the sun remains above the horizon for 24 hours, resulting in continuous daylight, which is a significant feature of polar regions during this time.

B) Sinking cold air at the poles

Explanation: The high-pressure zone formed by sinking cold air at the poles creates a pressure gradient that drives air movement toward the low-pressure zone at the equator.

C) 23.5°

Explanation: Earth's axis of spin is tilted at an angle of 23.5° relative to the ecliptic plane, which significantly influences seasonal changes and the distribution of sunlight on Earth.

C) It cools

Explanation: As ocean currents move farther from the equator, the water cools, which is an important aspect of oceanic temperature gradients.

B) Dew forms

Explanation: When cool night air temperatures reach the dew point, water vapor condenses, resulting in the formation of dew, which lowers the amount of water vapor in the air.

C) 0.30

Explanation: The global annual averaged albedo is approximately 0.30, representing the average reflectivity of the Earth's surface as a whole.

C) It rises because it is less dense

Explanation: Warmed air at the surface in the equatorial region rises due to its lower density compared to the cooler air above, contributing to atmospheric circulation.

C) Evaporation rate equals condensation rate

Explanation: When the evaporation rate equals the condensation rate, the air is considered saturated, indicating a balance between these two processes.

C) Long-term averages

Explanation: Long-term averages are associated with climate, not weather. Weather is characterized by short-term atmospheric conditions such as temperature, humidity, wind, and cloudiness.

B) The amount of water vapor as a percentage of saturation vapor pressure

Explanation: Relative humidity is a more familiar measure that indicates how much water vapor is in the air compared to the maximum amount it can hold at a given temperature, expressed as a percentage.

C) 0.05

Explanation: Forests have a low albedo value of approximately 0.05, indicating that they reflect only a small proportion of the shortwave radiation that strikes them.

B) Day and night are of equal length

Explanation: During the equinoxes, day and night are approximately equal in length all over the world, which occurs due to the Earth's tilt and position in its orbit around the Sun.

B) A zone of low pressure

Explanation: As air heated in the equatorial region rises to the top of the troposphere, it creates a zone of low pressure at the surface, influencing wind patterns.

A) It creates a low-pressure zone

Explanation: The warm air rising over the tropics creates a low-pressure zone, which is essential for closing the pattern of air circulation as cooler air flows in to replace it.

C) Radiation emitted back into space by the surface

Explanation: Longwave (LW) radiation refers to the radiation that is emitted back into space by the Earth's surface, which is a key component in calculating net radiation.

C) Extreme weather events

Explanation: An imbalance in net radiation can lead to extreme weather events as it disrupts the natural balance of the Earth's climate system, causing fluctuations in temperature and atmospheric conditions.

C) It increases

Explanation: When air cools and the actual moisture content remains unchanged, the relative humidity increases because the saturation vapor pressure declines, allowing the air to hold less moisture.

B) They circulate unimpeded around the globe

Explanation: Just north of the Antarctic continent, ocean waters circulate unimpeded around the globe, creating a continuous flow that is significant for global ocean currents.

C) Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

Explanation: The convergence of winds from the north and south in the equatorial region is referred to as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which plays a crucial role in global weather patterns.

B) The water vapor content of air at saturation

Explanation: Saturation vapor pressure refers to the maximum amount of water vapor that air can hold at a given temperature, indicating the water vapor content of air when it is saturated.