Question 1

Some researchers think that ________ are causing a sixth mass-extinction event.

Accepted Answer

A)   the cosmic rays
B)   the tides
C)   humans
D)   asteroidsE) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 2

Describe one way humans have impacted the Earth System.

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary; however,students migh...

Question 3

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Accepted Answer

A)   Weather is a long-term cycle,whereas climate is a transient condition.
B)   Weather is a transient condition,whereas climate is a long-term cycle.
C)   Weather relates to precipitation,whereas climate relates to temperature.
D)   The two terms are essentially interchangeable.E) C) and D)
F) None of the above

Question 4

According to the figure below,approximately how much has the sea level risen since the last ice age ended,approximately 16,000 years ago?

Accepted Answer

A)   110 m
B)   60 m
C)   20 m
D)   15 mE) C) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 5

Which greenhouse gas has the greatest total importance in retaining radiant energy from the Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)   CO2 (carbon dioxide) 
B)   O3 (ozone) 
C)   NO2 (nitrous oxide) 
D)   H2O (water) E) A) and B)
F) All of the above

Question 6

What role do greenhouse gases play in the Earth's climate? If there were no greenhouse gases on the Earth,what would the climate be like? Could humans survive?

Accepted Answer

Greenhouse gases work to absorb heat rer...

Question 7

How does the formation of oil shale deposits,coals,and limestones affect the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)   All three increase the total CO2 in the atmosphere.
B)   All three decrease the total CO2 in the atmosphere.
C)   The formation of limestones decreases total CO2,while the formation of oil shale and coal increases total CO2.
D)   The formation of oil shale deposits,coals,and limestones has very little effect.E) None of the above
F) A) and B)

Question 8

Provide an example of a positive feedback process as it relates to global climate change.

Accepted Answer

Student answers will vary but may be sim...

Question 9

Natural carbon sinks have generally matched the production of carbon dioxide until ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   the end of the last ice age,approximately 16,000 years ago
B)   the Little Ice Age,approximately 400 years ago
C)   approximately 1900
D)   the Eocene Epoch,approximately 50 million years agoE) A) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 10

The cycle of supercontinent formation and breakup is an example of _________ change.

Accepted Answer

A)   catastrophic,unidirectional
B)   gradual,unidirectional
C)   catastrophic,cyclic
D)   gradual,cyclicE) B) and C)
F) None of the above

Question 11

Which greenhouse gases play the most significant role in influencing changes in global atmospheric temperature?

Accepted Answer

A)   carbon dioxide and ozone
B)   nitrogen dioxide and ozone
C)   nitrogen dioxide and methane
D)   carbon dioxide and methaneE) A) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 12

The ratio of oxygen-16 and oxygen-18 isotopes in plankton fossils in deep-sea sediments can be used to determine ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   past carbon dioxide concentrations
B)   past temperatures
C)   the age of the fossils
D)   water depthE) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 13

During most of the Mesozoic Era,the Earth was ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   about as warm as present
B)   cooler than present
C)   warmer than present
D)   experiencing wild temperature fluctuationsE) A) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 14

A biogeochemical cycle refers to the ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   long-term movement of biogeochemical minerals through the rock cycle
B)   exchange of chemicals among magmatic and solid-phase systems
C)   transitioning and the residence of specific chemicals among living and nonliving systems
D)   exchange of chemicals between landmasses and the oceansE) B) and D)
F) None of the above

Question 15

Toxic chemicals dumped into a river are an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   greenhouse gases
B)   smog
C)   ozone
D)   pollutionE) None of the above
F) A) and B)

Question 16

The primary cause of recent global warming is believed to be ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   chemical reactions in the atmosphere that are driven by solar heat
B)   increased burning of fossil fuels
C)   increased levels of atmospheric pollution
D)   depletion of the ozone layerE) None of the above
F) B) and C)

Question 17

Which of these is the longest-lasting sink for carbon dioxide?

Accepted Answer

A)   plant tissues and cellulose (the "woody" parts of plants) 
B)   the atmosphere
C)   air bubbles within glacial ice
D)   limestonesE) None of the above
F) All of the above

Question 18

How are bicarbonate and carbon dioxide (CO2) related to one another?

Accepted Answer

A)   plant tissues and cellulose (the "woody" parts of plants) 
B)   CO2 forms when bicarbonate migrates from the atmosphere into soils.
C)   Bicarbonate forms when CO2 molecules dissolve in water.
D)   Bicarbonate and CO2 are the same thing.E) A) and D)
F) B) and D)

Question 19

According to the figure below,how much has atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) increased in parts per million (ppm) in approximately the last 50 years? 2) increased in parts per million (ppm) in approximately the last 50 years?   A)  from about 310 to 320 ppm B)  from about 360 to 400 ppm C)  from about 320 to 400 ppm D)  from about 380 to 400 ppm" class="answers-bank-image d-inline" rel="preload" >

Accepted Answer

A)   from about 310 to 320 ppm
B)   from about 360 to 400 ppm
C)   from about 320 to 400 ppm
D)   from about 380 to 400 ppmE) B) and C)
F) None of the above

Exam 23: Global Change in the Earth System

How are bicarbonate and carbon dioxide (CO₂) related to one another?

Correct Answer
verified

Some researchers think that ________ are causing a sixth mass-extinction event.

Correct Answer
verified

Which greenhouse gas has the greatest total importance in retaining radiant energy from the Earth?

Correct Answer
verified

A biogeochemical cycle refers to the ________.

Correct Answer
verified

According to the figure below,approximately how much has the sea level risen since the last ice age ended,approximately 16,000 years ago?

Correct Answer
verified

Natural carbon sinks have generally matched the production of carbon dioxide until ________.

Correct Answer
verified

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Correct Answer
verified

Which of these is the longest-lasting sink for carbon dioxide?

Correct Answer
verified

Which greenhouse gases play the most significant role in influencing changes in global atmospheric temperature?

Correct Answer
verified

According to the figure below,how much has atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) increased in parts per million (ppm) in approximately the last 50 years?

Correct Answer
verified

The cycle of supercontinent formation and breakup is an example of _________ change.

Correct Answer
verified

The ratio of oxygen-16 and oxygen-18 isotopes in plankton fossils in deep-sea sediments can be used to determine ________.

Correct Answer
verified

Provide an example of a positive feedback process as it relates to global climate change.

Correct Answer
verified
Student answers will vary but may be sim...
View Answer

During most of the Mesozoic Era,the Earth was ________.

Correct Answer
verified

How does the formation of oil shale deposits,coals,and limestones affect the carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration in the Earth's atmosphere?

Correct Answer
verified

The primary cause of recent global warming is believed to be ________.

Correct Answer
verified

What role do greenhouse gases play in the Earth's climate? If there were no greenhouse gases on the Earth,what would the climate be like? Could humans survive?

Correct Answer
verified
Greenhouse gases work to absorb heat rer...
View Answer

Describe one way humans have impacted the Earth System.

Correct Answer
verified
Answers will vary; however,students migh...
View Answer

Toxic chemicals dumped into a river are an example of ________.

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 23: Global Change in the Earth System

How are bicarbonate and carbon dioxide (CO2) related to one another?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Some researchers think that ________ are causing a sixth mass-extinction event.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which greenhouse gas has the greatest total importance in retaining radiant energy from the Earth?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A biogeochemical cycle refers to the ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

According to the figure below,approximately how much has the sea level risen since the last ice age ended,approximately 16,000 years ago?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Natural carbon sinks have generally matched the production of carbon dioxide until ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of these is the longest-lasting sink for carbon dioxide?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which greenhouse gases play the most significant role in influencing changes in global atmospheric temperature?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

According to the figure below,how much has atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) increased in parts per million (ppm) in approximately the last 50 years?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The cycle of supercontinent formation and breakup is an example of _________ change.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The ratio of oxygen-16 and oxygen-18 isotopes in plankton fossils in deep-sea sediments can be used to determine ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Provide an example of a positive feedback process as it relates to global climate change.

Correct AnswerverifiedStudent answers will vary but may be sim...View AnswerShow Answer

During most of the Mesozoic Era,the Earth was ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How does the formation of oil shale deposits,coals,and limestones affect the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the Earth's atmosphere?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The primary cause of recent global warming is believed to be ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What role do greenhouse gases play in the Earth's climate? If there were no greenhouse gases on the Earth,what would the climate be like? Could humans survive?

Correct AnswerverifiedGreenhouse gases work to absorb heat rer...View AnswerShow Answer

Describe one way humans have impacted the Earth System.

Correct AnswerverifiedAnswers will vary; however,students migh...View AnswerShow Answer

Toxic chemicals dumped into a river are an example of ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How are bicarbonate and carbon dioxide (CO₂) related to one another?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

According to the figure below,how much has atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) increased in parts per million (ppm) in approximately the last 50 years?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
Student answers will vary but may be sim...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

How does the formation of oil shale deposits,coals,and limestones affect the carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration in the Earth's atmosphere?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
Greenhouse gases work to absorb heat rer...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified
Answers will vary; however,students migh...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified