Climate Science Practice Quiz

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Choose the best answer for each questions. Some questions may have more than one correct answer. You will receive immediate feedback on your responses. Good luck!

In the United States, why is the Pacific Ocean colder than the Atlantic Ocean (Remember L.O.W.E.R.)?

1 point

The Gulf Stream carries Arctic air down to the Pacific Coast and tropical air up to the Atlantic Coast.

The air masses on the Pacific Coast usually move from north to south, bringing cold air from Canada.

More of the Atlantic Ocean is at tropical latitudes so this heats the overall ocean temperature.

The Pacific Coast is at a higher altitude so it has cooler temperatures than the Atlantic Coast.

Clear selection

The following tweet demonstrates misunderstanding of which concepts? *

1 point

Weather is the short-term conditions in an area.

Climate is measured over a 30-year period.

Global warming, or an overall temperature increase, is only one aspect of climate change.

What is the difference between low and high pressure? Choose all the apply. *

1 point

Low pressure air rises, cools and condenses. High pressure air sinks, warms and dries out.

High pressure air rises, cools and condenses. Low pressure air sinks, warms and dries out.

Low pressure is associated with clouds, wind and rain weather. High pressure is associated with few clouds and sunny weather.

High pressure is associated with clouds, wind and rain weather. Low pressure is associated with few clouds and sunny weather.

Other:

What is the most common greenhouse gas? *

1 point

Methane

Carbon dioxide

Carbon monoxide

Ozone

If Iowa experiences a few days of warm weather within their typical sub-zero winter temps, where can we guess it came from? *

1 point

The South

The North

The East

It doesn't have anything to do with direction

What percentage of scientists agree that climate change is human caused?

1 point

99%

79%

51%

33%

Scientists don't agree on this

Clear selection

Why is "a pink sky at night" a sailors delight? *

1 point

Water vapor is tinting the sky pink in the West, so the air is typically dry at your location

Poseidon, god of the oceans and king of the sailors, has sent a blessing

The water vapor in the sky is over your head, and sailors love rainy weather

It's just a legend and doesn't have any scientific grounding

Where does wind come from *

1 point

The motion of ocean waves

Birds flapping their wings

The moon's gravitational pull on our atmosphere

Shifting temperature currents

True or false: Climate change and global warming are interchangeable words. *

1 point

True

False

True or False: Until recent history, carbon dioxide levels have never risen above 300 ppm in the last 800,000 years.

1 point

True

False

Scientists cannot measure carbon dioxide going that far back, so we are not sure.

Clear selection

Which of the statement(s) are true regarding the greenhouse effect?

1 point

The greenhouse effect is a natural part of Earth's systems.

Gases like carbon dioxide absorb solar radiation and release it as heat which is trapped by Earth's atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases vibrate and have an asymmetrical shape in order to absorb solar radiation.

Burning fossil fuels releases more greenhouse gases into the air which increases the greenhouse effect.

The weather forecast says that a high pressure system is moving over Iowa City. What kind of weather can we expect?

1 point

Sunny skies because the high pressure system pushes air down so fewer clouds form.

Sunny skies because the high pressure system causes air to rise where it evaporates into the atmosphere.

Storms because the high pressure system pushes air and rain down from the clouds.

Storms because the high pressure system causes air to rise, forming clouds and rain.

Other:

Clear selection

True or False: Melting glaciers on Greenland, an island, contribute to sea level rise. *

1 point

True

False

How does climate change affect agriculture in Iowa?

1 point

Higher temperatures means a longer growing season.

Pigs and other livestock are affected by dangerously high temperatures.

Increased precipitation will reduce the frequency of droughts, so farmers can use less water for irrigation.

Increased flooding causes soil erosion.

Clear selection

Which is the best example of albedo? *

1 point

Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide absorb solar radiation which leads to global warming.

Melting ice and glaciers add water to the oceans which leads to sea level rise.

Earth's atmosphere acts as a blanket that insulates the planet.

Ice reflects solar radiation while land and water absorb the Sun's heat.

What is thermal expansion? *

1 point

With a rise in global temperatures, insects are able to continue their growth to sizes 1.5x what we currently see

Water molecules stay further away from each other so the water column expands

The hotter atmospheric air contains more energy and can expand over a larger area

Lukewarm water contains less energy than the underlying open ocean water

True or false: Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide are asymmetrical and vibrate due to infrared light? *

1 point

True

False

What is the primary cause of climate change? *

1 point

Natural fluctuations in the climate over time

Sea ice is melting, so there is less ice to cool the planet

Changing weather patterns over 30 year intervals

Human activities

True or false: places closer to the North and South poles = hotter temperatures *

1 point

True

False

True or false: high pressures bring clear skies and fair weather? *

1 point

True

False

How will climate change affect Iowa? *

1 point

Lower temperatures

Decreased soil erosion and water runoff

Increased precipitation

Increase in human health problems related to heat and air pollution

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