it is a direct consequence of the Earth's rotation.
7. Which climate type is characterized by high temperatures year-round and a distinct wet and dry season?
a) Tropical Rainforest (Af)
b) Tundra (ET)
c) Tropical Monsoon (Am)
d) Tropical Savanna (Aw)
Answer: d) Tropical Savanna (Aw)
Explanation: The Tropical Savanna climate (Aw) has consistently high temperatures but experiences a very pronounced dry season in the low-sun period and a wet season in the high-sun period. The Tropical Rainforest (Af) has precipitation year-round, and the Tropical Monsoon (Am) has a short or no dry season.
8. The term 'albedo' refers to:
a) The heat capacity of a surface.
b) The reflectivity of a surface.
c) The humidity in the atmosphere.
d) The pressure gradient force.
Answer: b) The reflectivity of a surface.
Explanation: Albedo is a measure of how much incoming solar radiation (shortwave energy) is reflected by a surface back into space. Surfaces with high albedo, like ice and snow, reflect most of the energy, while surfaces with low albedo, like the ocean or forests, absorb it.
9. What is the primary source of energy for a hurricane?
a) Geothermal energy from the ocean floor
b) The Coriolis force
c) Latent heat released from condensing water vapor
d) Strong pressure gradients over land
Answer: c) Latent heat released from condensing water vapor
Explanation: Hurricanes are heat engines. Their primary fuel is the latent heat that is released when warm, moist air over the ocean surface rises and the water vapor condenses into clouds and rain. This release of heat warms the surrounding air, causing it to rise further and powering the storm's intense circulation.
10. A temperature inversion often leads to:
a) Clear skies and excellent visibility.
b) Intense thunderstorm development.
c) Trapping of pollutants near the surface.
d) Strong vertical mixing of the atmosphere.
Answer: c) Trapping of pollutants near the surface.
Explanation: A temperature inversion occurs when a layer of warm air sits on top of cooler air near the surface. Since the cool, dense air cannot rise through the warm, light cap, vertical mixing is suppressed. This traps pollutants, dust, and smog close to the ground, leading to poor air quality.
Oceanography
11. The daily rise and fall of ocean water level is called:
a) Ocean Current
b) Tide
c) Wave
d) Tsunami
Answer: b) Tide
Explanation: Tides are the periodic, predictable rise and fall of sea level caused primarily by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun. Waves are generated by wind, and ocean currents are the continuous, directed movement of seawater.
12. The deep, slow-moving global circulation of ocean water driven by differences in temperature and salinity is known as the:
a) Longshore Current
b) Coriolis Effect
c) Gyre
d) Thermohaline Circulation
Answer: d) Thermohaline Circulation
Explanation: Thermohaline circulation, often called the "global conveyor belt," is a deep-ocean circulation driven by density differences due to temperature (thermo-) and salinity (-haline). It is a crucial component of the Earth's climate system, transporting heat and nutrients around the globe.