Earths Climate Past and Future 3rd Edition by Ruddiman - Test Bank

1.

Which of the following is (are) external drivers of Earth's climate?

A)

atmospheric greenhouse gas levels

B)

solar strength variation

C)

ice

D)

surface reflectivity

E)

All of the above are external drivers.

2.

Earth's average surface temperature is:

A)

76°F.

B)

273 K.

C)

15.5°C.

D)

represented by the temperature at the equator.

E)

Both A and C are correct.

3.

Climate science:

A)

is exclusively studied by meteorologists.

B)

requires an Earth system perspective.

C)

spans vast temporal scales.

D)

spans vast spatial scales.

E)

All but A are correct.

4.

Examine the following figure to determine which of the statements is correct.

A)

Regardless of the scale, global temperature changes display a regular, cyclic pattern.

B)

Rapid climate change is characteristic of large-scale (tectonic) climate trends.

C)

Millennial climate variations are resolvable on tectonic time scales.

D)

Historical changes in global temperature are small relative to those that have previously occurred during Earth's long history.

E)

None of the answers is correct.

5.

Which of the following internal Earth system components has the fastest climate response time?

A)

the atmosphere

B)

ice sheets

C)

sea ice

D)

the deep ocean

E)

These have the same response time because they all contain water in some form.

6.

Climate differs from weather in that climate:

A)

refers only to temperature conditions, while weather addresses temperature as well as precipitation, snow and ice cover, and wind conditions.

B)

is a broad composite of the average condition of a region, while weather fluctuations last a short time.

C)

is exclusively global, whereas weather is exclusively regional.

D)

and weather do not differ, they are interchangeable terms.

E)

All of the above are correct.

7.

What causes Earth's climate to change?

A)

changes in Earth's orbit around the Sun

B)

changes in the strength of the Sun

C)

changes in plate tectonics

D)

human activities

E)

All of these cause changes.

8.

Consider the analogy of heating water with a Bunsen burner. How does the response of the water to the external heating change over time?

A)

Response time is faster when the system is further from equilibrium.

B)

Response time is slower when the system is further from equilibrium.

C)

Response time is constant, but the absolute amount of change within the system decreases with time.

D)

Response time is constant, but the absolute amount of change within the system increases with time.

E)

None of the answers is correct.

9.

Examine the following figure and decide which of these diagrams could schematically represent the response of vegetation on a continent that is shifting latitudes because of plate tectonic motion.

A)

A

B)

B

C)

C

D)

D

E)

Both C and D are correct.

10.

Examine the figure and decide which of these diagrams could schematically represent day-night atmospheric temperature cycles on Earth.

A)

A

B)

B

C)

C

D)

D

E)

Both C and D are correct.

11.

Consider the following figure and determine which of following statements is correct.

A)

Climate change is smaller when the system has time to respond to the change in forcing.

B)

Cyclic forcing will produce cyclic pattern of climate change.

C)

When the heat applied is greatest, the water temperature at that time is also the greatest.

D)

All of the answers are correct

E)

None of the answers is correct.

12.

The warmest time of the Northern Hemisphere summer:

A)

is when the sun is highest in the sky.

B)

occurs at the same time over land and over the ocean.

C)

is in June.

D)

All of the answers are correct.

E)

None of the answers is correct.

13.

Positive internal Earth system feedbacks:

A)

always amplify climate changes initially caused by external forcing.

B)

always cause climate warming.

C)

help maintain a constant temperature on Earth.

D)

Both A and C are correct.