AP Environmental Science : Introductory Concepts and Earth Science
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Environmental Science
All AP Environmental Science Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Seasons
Ecosystems experience seasonality differences throughout the year. Some regions experience four seasons, while others only experience two season. Why do we experience seasons on Earth?
gravitational pull of the moon
gravitational pull of the Sun
global climate change
tilt of the Earth
tilt of the Earth
The correct response is tilt of the Earth. The Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees. This tilt allows seasonal differences to exist on the Earth since each region is pointing towards the Sun at different angles throughout the year.
Example Question #1 : Atmospheric Organization
The layer of the Earth's atmosphere in which weather takes place:
thermosphere
troposphere
stratosphere
mesosphere
magnetosphere
troposphere
The troposphere contains the majority of the atmosphere's water vapor, and is thus the layer in which weather occurs.
Example Question #2 : Atmospheric Organization
Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
Trophosphere
Stratosphere
The ozone layer is contained in the stratosphere, protecting life in the trophosphere from harmful cosmic radiation.
Example Question #11 : Ap Environmental Sciences
Which of the following would NOT be a likely consequence of excessive greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
An increase in the amount of heat energy from the sun entering Earth's atmosphere
The depletion of the ozone layer (if the greenhouse gases were of a certain type)
Potential changes in weather patterns and climate
An increase in the amount of heat energy retained on the Earth's surface and in the atmosphere
Increased acidification of Earth's oceans
An increase in the amount of heat energy from the sun entering Earth's atmosphere
Greenhouse gases cause heat rays from the sun that hit Earth to be retained on the planet's surface, which raises temperatures and has a potential to change climates. Excess carbon in the atmosphere is absorbed largely by the planet's oceans, which results in acidification. Chlorofluorocarbons (or CFCs) are potent greenhouse gases that also deplete ozone. The greenhouse effect does not result in an increase in heat energy entering earth, but actually retains the heat already entering earth at a higher rate than normal.
Example Question #3 : Atmospheric Organization
What can we say about the temperature changes in the troposphere with respect to altitude?
The troposphere decreases in temperature as altitude decreases because hot air gets trapped in the thermosphere.
Temperature changes based on altitude are relatively insignificant, at least in the troposphere.
The troposphere is where all the heat energy is retained, and cyclical air currents make the overall temperature pretty consistent in this thin layer of the atmosphere.
The troposphere decreases in temperature as altitude increases because air particles are less dense as altitude increases.
The troposphere increases in temperature as altitude increases because hot air rises.
The troposphere decreases in temperature as altitude increases because air particles are less dense as altitude increases.
While hot air does rise over colder air, density of air particles is more the determining factor for temperature change in the atmosphere. Heat energy is retained better at lower altitudes because there is a greater density of air particles, resulting in greater insulative properties than at higher altitudes, where air particle density is much less.
Example Question #1 : Atmospheric Organization
Which of the following are parts of the Earth's atmospheric layers?
Exosphere
All of these
Troposphere and stratosphere
Mesosphere and thermosphere
All of these
The following mnemonic device may be useful to remember the earth’s atmospheric layers in order: The Silly Monkeys Twirled Endlessly (Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere). All of the choices are part of the earth’s atmospheric layers.
Example Question #5 : Atmosphere
In which part of the atmosphere does the aurora borealis take place?
Thermosphere
Troposphere
Hydrosphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere
Thermosphere
Since the aurora borealis is caused by electrons from the Sun striking against oxygen atoms in the the highest level of the atmosphere, it must occur in the thermosphere (also known as the ionosphere). The thermosphere extends up to 60 miles or even higher.
Example Question #2 : Atmospheric Organization
Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?
The ionosphere
The stratosphere
The troposphere
The exosphere
The stratosphere
The stratosphere contains the most concentrated amount of ozone in any layer of the atmosphere, and is found at the bottom towards the troposphere. The troposphere is where weather occurs and sustains life on Earth. The ionosphere contains atoms stripped of their electrons, and the exosphere is the part of the atmosphere that bleeds into space.
Example Question #7 : Atmospheric Organization
Which layer of the atmosphere do our rain clouds reside within?
Thermosphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Troposphere
Troposphere
The correct response is troposphere. This is the lowest part of the atmosphere where our weather patterns and rain clouds reside.
Example Question #1 : Atmospheric Organization
What layer of the atmosphere does the majority of the ozone layer reside within?
Thermosphere
Troposphere
Tropopause
Stratosphere
Stratosphere
The correct response is stratosphere. Over 90% of the ozone layer is found in the stratosphere.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All AP Environmental Science Resources
