Insolation

Which group of substances is arranged in order of decreasing specific heat values?

• Iron, granite, basalt
• Copper, lead, iron
• dry air, water vapor, iceOption 3 (optional)
• Liquid water, ice, water vapor

The diagram below indicates regions of daylight and darkness on Earth on the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Four latitudes are labeled A, B, C, and D.

• A
• B
• C
• D

Which process is responsible for the greatest loss of energy from Earth’s surface into space on a clear night?

• Condensation
• Conduction
• Radiation
• Convection

If the tilt of Earth’s axis were increased from 23.5° to 30°, summers in New York State would become

• Cooler, and winters would become cooler
• Cooler, and winters would become warmer
• Warmer, and winters would become cooler
• Warmer, and winters would become warmer

Base your answers to questions 21 and 22 on the diagram below, which represents an exaggerated model of the shape of Earth’s orbit, and on your knowledge of Earth science. The positions of Earth in its orbit on December 21 and June 21 are indicated. The positions of perihelion (when Earth is closest to the Sun) and aphelion (when Earth is farthest from the Sun) are also indicated. Both perihelion and aphelion occur approximately two weeks after the dates shown.

• 6 months
• 2 months
• 12 months
• 8 months

During the month of January, at which location in New York State is the Sun lowest in the sky at solar noon?

• Massena
• Niagara Falls
• Utica
• New York City

Positions 1, 2, and 3 in the diagram below represent the noon Sun above the horizon on three different days during the year, as viewed from Binghamton, New York. At which position was the noon Sun on January 21, as viewed from Binghamton?

• Above position 1
• Below position 3
• Between position 1 and position 2
• Between position 2 and position 3

The diagram below represents the apparent path of the Sun as seen by an observer at 65° N on March 21.

• 9 a.m.
• 11 a.m.
• 3 p.m.
• 6 p.m.

Equal areas of which surface will absorb the most insolation?

• Partially melted snowfield
• Blacktop parking lot
• White sand beach
• Lake surface

Most of which type of electromagnetic radiation is given off by Earth’s surface at night?

• gamma rays
• ultraviolet light  
• visible light
• infrared rays