Quiz 1: Introduction to Geography, Solar Energy and Seasons

  1. Geographers use what method of inquiry to solve problems?

(a) behavioral analysis

(b) spatial analysis

(c) field work

(d) chronological analysis

(e) numeric analysis

  2. Which of the following is an example of an open system?

(a) a city

(b) a river drainage basin

(c) a hurricane

(d) all of these are examples of open systems

(e) none of these are examples of open systems

  3. Which of these is not one of the four earth systems that we study in Physical Geography?

(a) Lithosphere

(b) Hydrosphere

(c) Ecosphere

(d) Biosphere

(e) Atmosphere

  4. Sun energy is:

(a) visible light, x-rays, and infrared radiation

(b) the driving force behind all exogenic systems on earth

(c) formed from the fusion of Helium gas

(d) all of the above

(e) A & B only

  5. Which of the following accurately describes Earth's distance from the sun?

(a) The earth-sun distance is exactly 93 million miles (150 million km).

(b) It takes light an average of 12 minutes to travel from the sun to earth.

(c) The earth is 91.5 million miles from the sun in January, and 94.5 million miles from the sun in July.

(d) June is known as the perihelion, December is known as the aphelion.

(e) All of the above.

  6. Which of the following is not true of electromagnetic energy?

(a) It can travel through empty space.

(b) All wavelengths of electromagnetic energy travel at the same speed.

(c) The visible portion of the spectrum comprises only a small part of the total range of electromagnetic energy.

(d) The wavelength generated is directly proportional to the temperature of the emitter - e.g. as the temperature of the emitting object increases, the wavelength also increases.

(e) The hotter an object is, the more energy it emits at all wavelengths.

  7. The primary cause of seasons is

(a) the tilt of the earth.

(b) the solstice.

(c) the distance between the sun and the earth at the aphelion and perihelion.

(d) the amount of heat stored in the oceans.

(e) annual solar flares.

  8. Which of the following is not true?

(a) On December 22nd the subsolar point is at the Tropic of Cancer.

(b) On the spring equinox everyplace on earth has 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.

(c) On June 21st all latitudes above the Arctic Circle receive 24 hours of daylight.

(d) The South Pole on New Year's Day receives 24 hours of sunlight.

(e) On September 23rd the subsolar point is at the equator.

  9. On June 21st, the sun never sets in John's location. Based on this, it can be concluded that John lives

(a) between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle.

(b) between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle.

(c) at the Equator.

(d) above the Arctic Circle.

(e) below the Antarctic Circle.

  10. While standing at the Tropic of Cancer, Cecilia's shadow points north at noon (sun time). Based on this, which of the following can definitely be concluded?

(a) It must be the summer solstice in Cecilia's location.

(b) It must be the winter solstice in Cecilia's location.

(c) It must be one of the equinoxes.

(d) It must not be the summer solstice in Cecilia's location.

(e) It must not be the winter solstice in Cecilia's location.