AMS Climate Science and Climatology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary external driver of Earth's climate system?
- Geothermal heat from Earth's interior
- Solar radiation (Correct answer)
- Ocean thermohaline circulation
- Tidal forces from the Moon
Correct answer: Solar radiation
Solar radiation is the dominant energy input that drives atmospheric circulation, ocean currents, and the global climate system.
Question 2: The Milankovitch cycles describe climate variability caused by:
- Changes in solar luminosity over millions of years
- Periodic variations in Earth's orbital parameters (Correct answer)
- Long-term volcanic outgassing cycles
- Changes in ocean basin geometry
Correct answer: Periodic variations in Earth's orbital parameters
Milankovitch cycles refer to variations in Earth's eccentricity, axial tilt, and precession that alter the distribution and intensity of solar radiation reaching Earth.
Question 3: Which greenhouse gas has the highest global warming potential (GWP) per molecule over a 100-year time horizon?
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Methane (CH4)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O)
- Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
SF6 has a GWP of approximately 23,500 over 100 years, far exceeding CO2, CH4, and N2O on a per-molecule basis.
Question 4: The Köppen climate classification system primarily categorizes climates based on:
- Temperature and precipitation patterns (Correct answer)
- Atmospheric pressure and prevailing wind direction
- Relative humidity and cloud cover frequency
- Solar radiation and surface albedo
Correct answer: Temperature and precipitation patterns
Köppen's system uses monthly and annual temperature and precipitation thresholds, along with seasonal patterns, to define five major climate zones and their subtypes.
Question 5: The globally averaged mean surface temperature of Earth is approximately:
- 0°C (32°F)
- 10°C (50°F)
- 15°C (59°F) (Correct answer)
- 25°C (77°F)
Correct answer: 15°C (59°F)
Earth's global mean surface temperature is approximately 15°C (288 K), which is about 33°C warmer than it would be without the natural greenhouse effect.
Question 6: Which surface type has the highest typical albedo?
- Dense tropical rainforest
- Open ocean under clear skies
- Fresh dry snow (Correct answer)
- Desert sand
Correct answer: Fresh dry snow
Fresh dry snow has an albedo of 0.80–0.90, reflecting most incoming solar radiation, which is why snow-covered regions remain cold and why ice-albedo feedback amplifies climate change.
Question 7: The standard climatological reference period used by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to define climate normals is:
- 10 years
- 20 years
- 30 years (Correct answer)
- 50 years
Correct answer: 30 years
WMO defines climate normals as 30-year averages (currently 1991–2020) to provide a stable statistical baseline that smooths interannual variability.
AMS Climate Science and Climatology 1
What is the primary external driver of Earth's climate system?