Solar Constants and Climate Impact

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Questions and Answers

What is the defined value of the solar constant?

1.36 × 10^3 W m^-2 (correct)
1.36 × 10^-3 W m^-2
0.1 × 10^3 W m^-2
1 × 10^3 W m^-2

Why does the solar constant vary year-round?

The Sun's output varies during its 11-year sunspot cycle.
The Earth's orbit is elliptical.
Both A and B (correct)
Neither A nor B

What is the relationship between the Earth's distance from the Sun and the intensity of solar radiation received?

The closer the Earth is to the Sun, the higher the intensity. (correct)
The closer the Earth is to the Sun, the lower the intensity.
The relationship is variable and unpredictable.
The distance does not affect the intensity.

What is the mean value of the radiative power or intensity received by a planet?

$S × (πr^2 / 4πr^2)$ (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason why the value of the solar constant varies?

The Earth's rotation on its axis. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the albedo of fresh snow?

0.85 (B) Signup and view all the answers

How much energy is absorbed by fresh snow?

15% (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the ratio of energy absorbed to energy reflected by fresh snow?

0.18 (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the intensity of solar radiation received by Venus compare to that received by Earth?

Venus receives more solar radiation. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the solar constant and the intensity of solar radiation received by different planets?

The solar constant varies based on the planet's distance from the Sun. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which greenhouse gas is primarily produced by the burning of fossil fuels?

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) (C) Signup and view all the answers

Deforestation contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect by:

Decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following activities is NOT a significant source of methane emissions?

Burning of fossil fuels (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of the enhanced greenhouse effect?

Decreased global average temperature (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which greenhouse gas is primarily associated with the use of artificial fertilizers?

Nitrous oxide (N2O) (A) Signup and view all the answers

The burning of wood contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect by:

Releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the relationship between the greenhouse effect and the enhanced greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect is a natural process, while the enhanced greenhouse effect is caused by human activity. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a direct consequence of the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

Increased absorption of heat by the atmosphere (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why does the greenhouse effect occur?

Greenhouse gases absorb long-wave radiation emitted by Earth and re-emit it back towards the Earth's surface. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the enhanced greenhouse effect impact the average global temperature?

The average global temperature has increased over 1°C since pre-industrial times. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of radiation does the Earth primarily emit?

Infrared radiation (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why are greenhouse gases able to absorb infrared radiation?

Greenhouse gases have a natural frequency that falls in the infrared region, causing them to resonate when they absorb infrared light. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas?

Nitrogen (N2) (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of increased greenhouse gas concentrations on the Earth's atmosphere?

Less long-wave radiation escapes the atmosphere, leading to a warming effect. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of the enhanced greenhouse effect?

Human activities (D) Signup and view all the answers

How have carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere changed since pre-industrial times?

Increased by about 100 parts per million (ppm) to 420ppm in 2020 (D) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of re-emitted infrared radiation from Earth is absorbed by the atmosphere?

80% (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which greenhouse gas is responsible for absorbing nearly 100% of the Sun's incoming ultraviolet rays?

Ozone (O3) (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the concentration of a greenhouse gas influence its effect on climate?

Higher concentrations increase its significance in temperature fluctuations. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What keeps Earth at a habitable temperature?

Absorption of long wavelength re-emitted radiation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What can lead to fluctuations in the Earth's mean surface temperature?

Imbalance in the chemical composition of the atmosphere. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about emissivity is correct?

Emissivity is a dimensionless quantity. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the equation for the power radiated by a non-black body using the Stefan-Boltzmann law?

P = eσAT^4 (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason why calculations of emissivity assume the black body has the same temperature as the object?

To account for the temperature difference between the object and its surroundings. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the best approximation of a black body?

A star (D) Signup and view all the answers

Two objects have the same surface area and are at the same temperature. Object A has an emissivity of 0.5, and object B has an emissivity of 1. Which of the following statements is true?

Object B will radiate more power than object A. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A black body at a temperature of 100 K will emit more power than a non-black body at the same temperature.

True (B) Signup and view all the answers

If the temperature of an object is doubled, what happens to the power radiated by the object?

The power radiated is quadrupled. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the emissivity of a surface is correct?

The emissivity of a surface can vary with the wavelength of the radiation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following greenhouse gases is the most significant contributor to the greenhouse effect?

Water vapour (H2O) (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the presence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere contribute to the greenhouse effect?

They absorb long-wave radiation emitted from the Earth's surface. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is TRUE about the origin of greenhouse gases?

Each greenhouse gas has both natural and human-generated origins. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following greenhouse gases has a lesser effect on the greenhouse effect, compared to the other gases mentioned?

Methane (CH4) (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the 'hole in the ozone layer' NOT related to the greenhouse effect?

The ozone layer only affects UV radiation, not long-wave radiation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why the 'hole in the ozone layer' has improved?

Measures have been taken to reduce emissions of certain substances that deplete ozone. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it NOT necessary to know the specific sources of each greenhouse gas?

The focus is on understanding the overall impact of greenhouse gases on the climate. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE about the relationship between greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect?

All greenhouse gases contribute equally to the greenhouse effect. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Albedo

The proportion of radiation reflected by a surface.

Energy absorbed by snow

The amount of energy that fresh snow takes in.