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Free Practice Quiz Question List

1 The Atmosphere and Its Energy Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 1 The Atmosphere and Its Energy, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions
01
Choose one
1 point

A weather system develops in the atmospheric layer that contains nearly all weather and most of the atmosphere’s mass. Which layer is it in?

  1. A

    Stratosphere

  2. B

    Troposphere

  3. C

    Mesosphere

  4. D

    Thermosphere

02
Choose one
1 point

In which atmospheric layer does temperature generally increase with height because ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation?

  1. A

    The mesosphere, where meteors burn up

  2. B

    The troposphere, where most weather occurs

  3. C

    The stratosphere, where ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation

  4. D

    The exosphere, where the atmosphere merges into space

03
Choose one
1 point

A diagram shows the ionosphere extending across parts of two atmospheric layers. Which interpretation best matches the way atmospheric layers are defined?

  1. A

    It overlaps parts of the mesosphere and thermosphere rather than forming a separate temperature layer.

  2. B

    It is the lowest layer and contains nearly all weather.

  3. C

    It is the outermost layer and gradually merges into space.

  4. D

    It is the layer in which ozone absorbs most ultraviolet radiation.

04
True or false
1 point

True or false: After Earth’s surface absorbs energy and warms, it emits energy mainly as longwave infrared radiation.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

05
True or false
1 point

True or false: The Coriolis effect deflects large-scale moving air to the left in the Northern Hemisphere and to the right in the Southern Hemisphere.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

06
Fill in the blank
1 point

Dry air near Earth’s surface consists mostly of .

07
Fill in the blank
1 point

By absorbing and emitting some of Earth’s outgoing infrared energy, greenhouse gases and clouds warm the surface and the .

08
Written response
1 point

Approximately how many kilometres above Earth’s surface does the stratosphere extend? Enter the altitude in km.

09
Written response
1 point

In the idealized three-cell model, which circulation cell has air rising near the equator and sinking in the subtropics?

10
Choose all
1 point

Which two statements correctly describe what can happen to incoming sunlight? Select all correct choices.

  1. A

    Some incoming sunlight is reflected back to space by clouds, aerosols, and bright surfaces.

  2. B

    All incoming sunlight is absorbed by greenhouse gases before reaching the surface.

  3. C

    Some sunlight passes through the air and warms land and ocean.

  4. D

    The surface sends most of its energy back to space as shortwave visible light.

11
Choose all
1 point

Which two conditions contribute to the temperature contrasts that help drive atmospheric circulation? Select all correct choices.

  1. A

    Sunlight is more concentrated near the equator than near the poles.

  2. B

    Air warmed at the surface becomes denser and sinks.

  3. C

    Earth’s tilt changes the angle and duration of sunlight through the seasons.

  4. D

    Land and ocean always warm and cool at the same rate.

12
Choose one
1 point

A patch of air is warmed by the surface while nearby air remains cooler. Which sequence best describes the resulting convection?

  1. A

    Warmed air becomes denser and sinks; cooler air rises to replace it.

  2. B

    Warmed air expands, becomes less dense, and rises; cooler, denser air sinks and flows in.

  3. C

    Warmed air moves downward because surface pressure is always lower.

  4. D

    Both warmed and cooler air rise, but at different speeds.

13
Choose one
1 point

Which description best distinguishes the Ferrel cell from the idealized Hadley and polar cells?

  1. A

    Air rises at the poles, moves toward the equator aloft, and sinks in the subtropics.

  2. B

    Air rises in the subtropics, moves toward the equator aloft, and returns poleward at the surface.

  3. C

    Midlatitude westerlies are part of a complex circulation influenced by neighboring cells and moving weather systems.

  4. D

    Cold air rises over the poles and flows toward the equator near the surface.

14
Choose one
1 point

A sample of dry air collected near Earth's surface is analyzed. Which gas should make up the largest share of the sample?

  1. A

    Nitrogen

  2. B

    Oxygen

  3. C

    Argon

  4. D

    Carbon dioxide

15
True or false
1 point

The ionosphere is a separate temperature-defined atmospheric layer, distinct from the mesosphere and thermosphere.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

16
Choose one
1 point

After sunlight warms Earth's surface, which type of radiation does the surface emit mainly?

  1. A

    Shortwave visible radiation

  2. B

    Longwave infrared radiation

  3. C

    Ultraviolet radiation

  4. D

    Reflected sunlight only

17
Written response
1 point

What is the atmospheric term for the large-scale movement of air that redistributes heat and moisture?

18
Written response
1 point

What process releases latent heat into the air when water vapor changes into liquid water?

19
Choose one
1 point

On a sunny day, air near the ground warms while air above it remains cooler. Which sequence best explains the resulting vertical movement of air?

  1. A

    Surface-warmed air becomes denser and sinks beneath cooler air.

  2. B

    Cool air expands, becomes less dense, and pushes warm air upward.

  3. C

    Surface-warmed air becomes less dense and rises while cooler, denser air sinks.

  4. D

    Air rises only when Earth's rotation deflects it toward the equator.

20
Open ended
1 point

Why should the three-cell model be treated as an idealized average rather than as three fixed, unchanging loops? Name two factors that cause actual winds or circulation cells to vary.