Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography , 8/E Christopherson solutions manual and test bank

Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography , 8/E Christopherson solutions manual and test bank

Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography, 8e (Christopherson)

Chapter 2 Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Multiple Choice Questions

1) Our planet and our lives are powered by

A) energy derived from inside Earth.

B) radiant energy from the Sun.

C) utilities and oil companies.

D) shorter wavelengths of gamma rays, X-rays, and ultraviolet.

Answer: B

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

2) Which of the following is true?

A) The Sun is the largest star in the Milky Way Galaxy.

B) The Milky Way is part of our Solar System.

C) The Sun produces energy through fusion processes.

D) The Sun is also a planet.

Answer: C

Diff: 1

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

3) Which of the following is false?

A) The planets orbit the Sun, and the Sun and Solar System are part of the Milky Way Galaxy.

B) The Sun produces energy through fusion.

C) The Sun is by far the largest star in the Milky Way Galaxy.

D) The Sun is average in color, temperature, and size when compared to other stars.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

4) Which of the following is true about the Milky Way galaxy in which we live?

A) It is a spiral-shaped galaxy.

B) It is one of millions of galaxies in the universe.

C) It contains approximately 400 billion stars.

D) All of these answer choices are correct.

Answer: D

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

5) Which of the following is not true of galaxies?

A) They are made of billions of stars.

B) Their size is measured in tens of thousands of light years.

C) A typical galaxy, such as the Milky Way, is about 5 billion miles in diameter.

D) Great clouds of gas and dust known as nebula occur within galaxies.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

6) The planetesimal hypothesis pertains to the formation of the

A) universe.

B) galaxy.

C) planets.

D) ocean basins.

Answer: C

Diff: 1

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

7) The planets in the solar system are believed to have formed as a result of a process known as __________ which is caused by __________.

A) acceleration; centrifugal force

B) fusion; gravity

C) fission; gravity

D) accretion; gravity

E) accretion; centrifugal

Answer: D

Diff: 3

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

8) The flattened structure of the Milky Way is revealed by

A) the constellations of the Zodiac.

B) a narrow band of hazy light that stretches across the night sky.

C) the alignment of the planets in the solar system.

D) the plane of the ecliptic.

Answer: B

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

9) Earth and the Sun formed specifically from

A) the galaxy.

B) unknown origins.

C) a nebula of dust and gases.

D) other planets.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

10) The basic idea behind the planetesimal hypothesis is that

A) planets form as a direct result of the nuclear fusion of nebular gases and planetesimals.

B) planets form from the remains of super-giant planetesimals that undergo nuclear fission and blow apart, thereby creating smaller objectsthe planets.

C) early in the solar system's history, a star passed near to the Sun and pulled off gases that eventually condensed to form planets.

D) matter in a nebula experiences mutual gravitational attraction, and this results in the gradual accretion of larger and larger bodiesplanetesimals.

Answer: D

Diff: 3

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

11) Which of the following is not true of stars?

A) They form in great clouds of gas and dust known as nebula.

B) Very few violent physical phenomena occur in stars.

C) New atoms are created inside stars.

D) Nuclear fusion occurs inside stars.

Answer: B

Diff: 3

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

12) Light travels at a speed of approximately

A) 80,500 kilometers per hour (50,000 mph).

B) 300,000 kilometers per hour (186,336 mph).

C) 300,000 kilometers per second (186,333 miles per second).

D) 1,000,000,000 kilometers per second (621,118,012 miles per second).

Answer: C

Diff: 1

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

13) The plane of Earth's orbit about the Sun is called

A) perihelion.

B) aphelion.

C) the plane of the ecliptic.

D) a great circle.

Answer: C

Diff: 1

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

14) Which of the following accurately describes Earth's distance from the Sun?

A) The Earth-Sun distance averages 150 million kilometers (93 million miles).

B) It takes light an average of 8 minutes and 20 seconds to travel from the Sun to Earth.

C) Earth is closer to the Sun in January (perihelion) and farther away in July (aphelion).

D) All of these are correct.

Answer: D

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

15) Which of the following is true?

A) It takes light about 100,000 years to cross our galaxy.

B) If you could see the most distant parts of our universe, you would be looking at least ten billion years back in time.

C) Because of the distances to the stars, it is impossible to see stars "in the present." Each is seen at a different point in time in the past.

D) All of the above are true.

E) None of the above are true.

Answer: D

Diff: 3

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

16) Which of the following statements is incorrect?

A) A star and the planets that orbit it make up a solar system.

B) It takes light about 100,000 years to cross our galaxy.

C) A galaxy consists of billions of solar systems.

D) There are more galaxies than stars in the universe.

E) When we look at the stars in the night sky, we are looking back in time.

Answer: D

Diff: 3

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

17) Which of the following is true of Earth's orbit about the Sun?

A) It is perfectly circular.

B) It is elliptical.

C) It takes approximately the same time for Earth to orbit the Sun as it does for the rest of the planets in the solar system to orbit the Sun.

D) The orbit does not vary over millions of years.

Answer: B

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

18) Earth's diameter is

A) about 10,000 km (6,000 mi.).

B) about 20,000 km (12,000 mi.).

C) about 40,000 km (24,000 mi.).

D) about 50,000 km (30,000 mi.).

Answer: C

Diff: 1

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

19) Of all the matter in the Solar System,

A) the Sun captured over 99 percent.

B) the bulk remains with all the planets and their satellites.

C) most resides in the planet Jupiterthe largest planet in the solar system.

D) most is scattered about the solar system as individual atoms and molecules.

Answer: A

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.1 The Solar System, Sun, and Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

20) The Sun produces which of the following?

A) mainly visible light and infrared energy

B) mainly ultraviolet and X-rays

C) only solar wind

D) only radiant energy that is beneficial to life

Answer: A

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

21) During the process by which energy is produced inside of stars,

A) hydrogen is fused together to form helium.

B) helium is fused together to form hydrogen.

C) hydrogen splits to form helium.

D) helium splits to form hydrogen.

Answer: A

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

22) Stars give off electromagnetic radiation because

A) matter is converted into energy.

B) matter and energy totally annihilate one another in matter-antimatter reactions.

C) energy is converted into matter.

D) kinetic energy is converted into potential energy.

Answer: A

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

23) The solar wind consists principally of

A) neutral hydrogen and helium atoms.

B) planetesimals.

C) free neutrons.

D) positively charged hydrogen nuclei and free electrons.

Answer: D

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

24) Which of the following is not true of sunspots?

A) They can be several times larger than Earth.

B) They can produce flares and prominences.

C) They are brighter than the rest of the Sun's surface.

D) Their origin and dynamics are not fully understood.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

25) A magnetic disturbance on the Sun's surface is called

A) the electromagnetic spectrum.

B) the solar wind.

C) a sunspot.

D) a magnetospheric cyclone.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

26) On its way to Earth, the solar wind first encounters

A) the atmosphere.

B) the magnetosphere.

C) Earth's surface.

D) the lower atmosphere.

Answer: B

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

27) Earth's magnetosphere is generated by

A) nuclear fusion in Earth's core.

B) nuclear fission in Earth's core.

C) dynamo-like motions in Earth's interior.

D) gravitational accretion.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

28) The auroras in the upper atmosphere are caused by

A) the interaction of electromagnetic energy with atmospheric gases.

B) AM radio broadcasts.

C) various weather phenomena.

D) the interaction of the solar wind and atmospheric gases.

Answer: D

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

29) Which of the following is not a consequence of the solar wind?

A) auroras

B) disruption of radio communications

C) overloads of electrical systems

D) creation of Earth's magnetosphere

Answer: D

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

30) Which of the following is true of the relationship between sunspots and certain cyclic weather effects?

A) The connection between sunspot cycles and weather is well established.

B) The correlation between the two phenomena is interesting, but a direct link remains unconfirmed.

C) The existence of a sunspot cycle has yet to be confirmed.

D) There is no record of sunspot activity prior to this century.

Answer: B

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

31) Which of the following have been correlated with sunspot cycles?

A) abnormally wet years

B) droughts

C) both abnormally wet years and droughts

D) none of the above

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

32) Experiments involving pieces of aluminum foil placed on the lunar surface by the Apollo XI astronauts proved that

A) sunspots actually occur.

B) sunspots exhibit a cycle.

C) the solar wind consists of charged particles.

D) nuclear fission occurs in the Sun's interior.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

33) Astronauts deployed a solar wind measuring experiment on the Moon because

A) the lunar surface is protected by an atmosphere.

B) there is no electromagnetic energy arriving there.

C) the experiment would not work if deployed at Earth's surface due to protective aspects of Earth's atmosphere.

D) there is no solar wind arriving at the lunar surface.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

34) Radio waves have a __________ wavelength than visible light and are therefore __________ energetic.

A) longer; less

B) longer; more

C) shorter; less

D) shorter; more

Answer: A

Diff: 3

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

35) Which of the following is true of the Sun's electromagnetic spectrum?

A) It consists exclusively of radiant energy made of gamma ray, X-ray, and ultraviolet wavelengths.

B) It consists exclusively of streams of charged particles.

C) It is capable of sustaining life on Earth even though some portions of the spectrum are actually harmful to living organisms.

D) It consists exclusively of visible light and infrared energy.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

36) The two main portions of the solar spectrum which enter the atmosphere are

A) X-rays and visible light.

B) visible and infrared energy.

C) infrared and gamma rays.

D) ultraviolet and visible light.

Answer: B

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

37) The dominant wavelength of energy emitted by the Sun is

A) shorter than that emitted by Earth.

B) longer than that emitted by Earth.

C) the same length as that emitted by Earth.

Answer: A

Diff: 1

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

38) Which of the following is not true of electromagnetic energy?

A) It can travel through empty space.

B) All wavelengths of electromagnetic energy travel at the same speed.

C) The visible portion of the spectrum comprises only a small part of the total range of electromagnetic energy.

D) The wavelength generated is directly proportional to the temperature of the emitter; i.e., as temperature of the emitting object increases, the wavelength also increases.

E) The hotter an object, the more energy it emits at all wavelengths.

Answer: D

Diff: 3

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

39) The __________ emits mainly __________ which is also called __________.

A) Sunlongwave radiationinfrared

B) Sunshortwave radiationradio waves

C) Earthlongwave radiationinfrared

D) Earthshortwave radiationinfrared

E) Earthlongwave radiationultraviolet

Answer: C

Diff: 3

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

40) The dominant wavelength emitted by Earth is

A) gamma radiation.

B) X-ray radiation.

C) visible light.

D) infrared.

Answer: D

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

41) Which of the following sequences is arranged in order from shorter wavelength to longer wavelength?

A) infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays

B) X-rays, ultraviolet, visible, infrared

C) gamma rays, microwaves, visible, X-rays

D) radio waves, light, heat, X-rays

Answer: B

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

42) The thermopause refers to

A) Earth's magnetic field.

B) the solar atmosphere that extends into space.

C) the top of Earth's atmosphere.

D) the Sun's surface.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

43) Intercepted solar radiation is called

A) solar wind.

B) thermosphere.

C) solar constant.

D) insolation.

Answer: D

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

44) 1372 watts per square meter (2 calories per per minute) refers to the

A) solar constant.

B) solar wind input to the atmosphere.

C) average energy receipt at Earth's surface.

D) amount of energy absorbed by the atmosphere.

Answer: A

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

45) The solar constant is measured at

A) the Sun's surface.

B) the edge of the Sun's atmosphere.

C) the tropopause.

D) sea level.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 1/2 Knowledge/Comprehension

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

46) Which of the following is true relative to net radiation at the thermopause?

A) Net radiation is evenly distributed with little change by latitude.

B) Positive values in lower latitudes and negative values toward the poles.

C) Negative values along the equator and positive values toward the poles.

D) Net radiation is composed of shortwave energy only.

Answer: B

Diff: 3

Chapter/section: 2.2 Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth

Bloom's Taxonomy: 3/4 Application/Analysis

Geo Standard: 07. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.