Unit 5: Radiation and the Heat Balance of Planet Earth 1. The amount of solar radiation reflected off a surface is called: a. insolation b. albedo c. diffusivity d. emissivity e. color quotient 2. Greenhouse gases are most efficient at absorbing ________ wavelengths of energy. a. visible b. ultraviolet c. infrared d. microwave e. shorter 3. The planetary albedo of the Earth is about _____ percent. a. 10 b. 17 c. 33 d. 45 e. 50 4. The most effective greenhouse gas at absorbing heat is a. carbon dioxide b. methane c. water vapor d. CFCs 5. Much of the Earth’s heat escapes between the wavelengths of 8.5 and 13 micrometers, which is also called: a. the gap b. the atmospheric window c. the atmosphere’s door d. ozone hole 6. The solar constant is a. the total energy emitted by the sun b. the total solar energy absorbed by the Earth’s surface c. the total solar energy reaching the top of the atmosphere d. none of these 7. The Earth’s re-­‐radiation of heat back towards space is mostly in the ____ wavelengths. a. visible b. ultraviolet c. infrared d. microwave e. radio 8. If it was not for the greenhouse effect, the Earth’s average temperature would be about a. 0°F b. 32°F c. 50°F d. 60°F e. 0°C 9. To be in perfect equilibrium, the Earth’s net radiation must be a. -­‐10% of the solar constant b. 0% of the solar constant c. 10% of the solar constant d. 25% of the solar constant 10. Global net radiation is a. positive in the tropics, negative in the polar regions b. positive in the polar regions, negative in the tropics c. positive at all latitudes d. zero at all latitudes 11. When heat is transferred between molecules that are in contact with one another, it is termed: a. convection b. conduction c. radiation d. sensible heat