physics of the atmosphere

Which of the following surface types has the greatest reflectivity (albedo) for solar radiation?

a)ocean water
b)ice
c)forest
d)fresh snow

fresh snow

A fresh snow cover is highly reflective because the snow surface consists of a multitude of randomly oriented crystals, each having many reflecting surfaces.
The planetary albedo of Earth is

a)31%.
b)20%.
c)49%.
d)8%.

31%
On a global basis, the average albedo of the ocean surface is about

a)25%
b)50%
c)75%
d)8%

8%
Clouds are relatively ________ reflectors of solar radiation.

a)good
b)poor

good
At the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice, insolation is zero

a)along the Tropic of Cancer.
b)at the equator.
c)along the north of the Artic Circle.
d)at the Antartic Circle.

along the north of the Artic Circle.
At noon on the Summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the solar altitude is 90 degrees at the

a)equator.
b)Artic cirlcle.
c)Tropic of Cancer.
d)Tropic of Capricorn.

Tropic of Cancer
Earth is closest to the Sun

a)at aphelion.
b)during the Northern hemisphere summer.
c)about July 4.
d)during the Northern hemisphere winter.

during the Northern hemisphere winter.
Which of the following greenhouse gases absorbs strongly in atmospheric windows?

a)water vapor
b)carbon dioxide
c)ozone
d)methane

methane

Author

tlsmith9

ID

104390

Card Set

physics of the atmosphere

Description

chapter 3(continued)

Updated

2011-09-26T13:15:52Z

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