Quiz for Evolution lecture


1.	Which of the following statements is true about escape velocity of a planet?

a)	depends on the mass of the planet but not the mass of the atmospheric molecule attempting to escape.
b)	applies only to molecules at the "outer edge" of the atmosphere.
c)	depends on temperature since molecules move faster in a hotter gas.

2.	The dominant wavelength in solar radiation is shorter than dominant wavelength in terrestrial (earth) radiation because

a)	radiation from the sun travels a longer distance and only short wavelengths (higher energy components) remain in the solar beam
b)	the radiating temperature of the sun is higher than the radiating temperature of the earth
c)	the sun has a higher escape velocity than the earth,


3.	Living organisms have contributed to the evolution of the atmosphere because

a)	they use up carbon dioxide, which would otherwise dominate
b)	they transform oxygen and hydrogen to nitrogen
c)	they transpire water vapor, which enhances the greenhouse effect and warms the planet

4.	Saturn and Earth have nearly equal values of gravitational acceleration but Saturn retains a higher fraction of its atmospheric hydrogen because, compared to Earth, 
a)  Saturn has a lower ratio of effective temperature to surface temperature.
b)  Saturn is further from the sun
c)  Saturn has a higher ratio of escape velocity to most probable velocity.
d)  Saturn's escape velocity is nearly zero.
e)  Saturn's rotational speed is lower and so it does not throw off as many light molecules.

5.  If a planet has a high ratio of surface temperature to effective radiating temperature, then it must have 
a)  a more massive atmosphere
b)  a high fraction of gases that absorb visible radiation from the sun.
c)  a high fraction of gases with a low escape velocity.
d)  a high fraction of gases that absorb energy emitted by the earth.
e)  an atmosphere that is more highly concentrated near the earth's surface.

6.  Photosynthesis and respiration/decay are equal contributors to the cycling of atmospheric oxygen.  Suppose detailed measurement showed photosynthesis to actually be significantly smaller than respiration/decay.  Which of the following would then be true:

a)  Weathering would increase to make up the difference.
b)  Surface organic matter would decrease significantly.
c)  Atmospheric O2 would decrease significantly.
d)  Photolysis would be reversed.
e)  Sedimentary rock would be converted to fossil fuel.

Answers:

1.  a
2.  b
3.  a
4.  c
5.  d
6.  b