Question 1

When the bright light beams appear to converge toward the part of the horizon opposite from the Sun, the beams of light are called ____________________ rays.

Accepted Answer

anticrepuscular

Question 2

Because of atmospheric refraction, a star seen near Earth's horizon is actually ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  slightly higher than it appears
B)  slightly lower than it appears
C)  slightly brighter than it appears
D)  much further away than it appears
E)  much dimmer than it appearsF) B) and E)
G) B) and D)

Question 3

The blue color of the sky is a result of ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  selective scattering of visible light by air molecules
B)  the filtering effect of water vapor in Earth's atmosphere
C)  reflection of sunlight off Earth's oceans
D)  transmission of visible light through the ozone layer in Earth's stratosphere
E)  absorption of short wavelengths by air moleculesF) None of the above
G) D) and E)

Question 4

What is a tangent arc in relation to a halo?

Accepted Answer

Occasionally, a bright arc of light may ...

Question 5

What atmospheric conditions are necessary for an inferior mirage? A superior mirage?

Accepted Answer

Inferior mirage: Occurs when the air nea...

Question 6

The Sun radiates almost half of its energy as visible light.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 7

When a star appears to twinkle or flicker, it is a condition called ____________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When a star appears to twinkle or...

Question 8

Explain what causes secondary rainbows to form.

Accepted Answer

A secondary rainbow is a larger rainbow ...

Question 9

Explain the difference between crepuscular and anticrepuscular rays.

Accepted Answer

Haze can scatter light from the rising o...

Question 10

Occasionally, when the size of the suspended particles is similar to the primary wavelengths of visible light, the Sun can appear blue, even at noon.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Twilight is the name given to the time ____, when the sky remains illuminated and allows outdoor activities without artificial lighting.

Accepted Answer

A)  after sunset and immediately before sunrise
B)  after sunset and immediately after sunrise
C)  before sunset and immediately before sunrise
D)  before sunset and immediately after sunrise
E)  around sunsetF) B) and C)
G) None of the above

Question 12

Light that passes through a substance is said to be refracted.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Atmospheric mirages are created by light passing through and being ____________________ by air layers of different densities.

Accepted Answer

bent

Question 14

The green flash is largely an example of the ____ of light by Earth's atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

A)  refraction
B)  reflection
C)  absorption
D)  diffraction
E)  transmissionF) A) and D)
G) B) and D)

Question 15

Which type of particle causes a whitish haze, and a glare in clouds near the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  Aerosols
B)  Cloud droplets
C)  Air molecules
D)  Water molecules
E)  Nitrous oxideF) None of the above
G) All of the above

Question 16

What can make a setting (or rising)Sun appear red?

Accepted Answer

At sunrise and sunset, the rays coming d...

Question 17

A star that is cooler than our Sun appears ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  more violet
B)  redder
C)  brighter
D)  whiter
E)  bluerF) B) and D)
G) C) and D)

Question 18

Why do stars "twinkle"?

Accepted Answer

As starlight enters the atmosphere, it o...

Question 19

Volcanic eruptions rich in sulfur produce yellow sunsets.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Why does the Sun usually appear white to the human eye? How do stars that are cooler, hotter, and about the same temperature compare to the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Because the Sun radiates almost half of ...

Exam 20: Light, Color and Atmospheric Optics

When the bright light beams appear to converge toward the part of the horizon opposite from the Sun, the beams of light are called ____________________ rays.

Correct Answerverifiedanticrepuscular

Because of atmospheric refraction, a star seen near Earth's horizon is actually ____.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The blue color of the sky is a result of ____.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is a tangent arc in relation to a halo?

Correct AnswerverifiedOccasionally, a bright arc of light may ...View AnswerShow Answer

What atmospheric conditions are necessary for an inferior mirage? A superior mirage?

Correct AnswerverifiedInferior mirage: Occurs when the air nea...View AnswerShow Answer

The Sun radiates almost half of its energy as visible light.

Correct AnswerverifiedTrue

When a star appears to twinkle or flicker, it is a condition called ____________________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Explain what causes secondary rainbows to form.

Correct AnswerverifiedA secondary rainbow is a larger rainbow ...View AnswerShow Answer

Explain the difference between crepuscular and anticrepuscular rays.

Correct AnswerverifiedHaze can scatter light from the rising o...View AnswerShow Answer

Occasionally, when the size of the suspended particles is similar to the primary wavelengths of visible light, the Sun can appear blue, even at noon.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Twilight is the name given to the time ____, when the sky remains illuminated and allows outdoor activities without artificial lighting.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Light that passes through a substance is said to be refracted.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Atmospheric mirages are created by light passing through and being ____________________ by air layers of different densities.

Correct Answerverifiedbent

The green flash is largely an example of the ____ of light by Earth's atmosphere.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which type of particle causes a whitish haze, and a glare in clouds near the Sun?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What can make a setting (or rising)Sun appear red?

Correct AnswerverifiedAt sunrise and sunset, the rays coming d...View AnswerShow Answer

A star that is cooler than our Sun appears ____.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Why do stars "twinkle"?

Correct AnswerverifiedAs starlight enters the atmosphere, it o...View AnswerShow Answer

Volcanic eruptions rich in sulfur produce yellow sunsets.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Why does the Sun usually appear white to the human eye? How do stars that are cooler, hotter, and about the same temperature compare to the Sun?

Correct AnswerverifiedBecause the Sun radiates almost half of ...View AnswerShow Answer

Correct Answer
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anticrepuscular

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
Occasionally, a bright arc of light may ...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified
Inferior mirage: Occurs when the air nea...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified
True

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
A secondary rainbow is a larger rainbow ...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified
Haze can scatter light from the rising o...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
bent

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
At sunrise and sunset, the rays coming d...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
As starlight enters the atmosphere, it o...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
Because the Sun radiates almost half of ...
View Answer