Discover Your Changing World with NOAA — Quiz

Multiple Choice

1. What is the primary source of energy for Earth's climate system, according to Climate Science Principle 1?
A) The ocean
B) The Sun
C) Volcanic activity
D) The atmosphere

2. What does the Solar Heat Engine activity primarily demonstrate?
A) How ocean currents form
B) How heat energy from the Sun can be changed into motion energy
C) How clouds are formed
D) How the greenhouse effect works

3. According to the resource, what happens to many plastics when they are heated?
A) They expand
B) They shrink
C) They melt instantly
D) They turn white

4. In the Solar Heat Engine, what happens when one of the plastic strips is exposed to sunlight?
A) It shrinks and pulls the flywheel off-center, causing the drum to rotate
B) It expands and slows the drum down
C) It melts and drips onto the axle
D) It turns transparent

5. Which of the following is listed as a component of being a "climate-literate person"?
A) Being able to predict earthquakes
B) Understanding the principles of Earth's climate system
C) Knowing how to build a solar cooker
D) Memorizing ocean current names

6. Which activity in the book involves making an Extinction Polyhedron?
A) Activity 2
B) Activity 3
C) Activity 5
D) Activity 7

7. What happens to the plastic strips on the Solar Heat Engine as they move into the shadow of the drum?
A) They shrink further
B) They cool and lengthen again
C) They stop moving completely
D) They catch fire

8. According to the "Think About It" section, why might the color of the plastic strips matter for the engine's performance?
A) Because of principles of heat reflection and heat absorption
B) Because black plastic is cheaper
C) Because color affects how fast plastic melts
D) Because white plastic is more durable

Short Answer

9. Explain, in your own words, how the Solar Heat Engine changes heat energy into motion energy.

10. The resource suggests comparing the number of revolutions of the Solar Heat Engine on a cloudy day versus a sunny day. What would this comparison help you learn?

11. Using the hint about latitude and solar energy, explain whether the Solar Heat Engine would likely spin faster in Northern Canada or Southern Florida, and why.

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Answer Key

1. B) The Sun
2. B) How heat energy from the Sun can be changed into motion energy
3. B) They shrink
4. A) It shrinks and pulls the flywheel off-center, causing the drum to rotate
5. B) Understanding the principles of Earth's climate system
6. B) Activity 3
7. B) They cool and lengthen again
8. A) Because of principles of heat reflection and heat absorption

1. Sample answer: The plastic strips shrink when heated by sunlight, pulling the flywheel off-center. This causes the drum to rotate. As the drum turns, the strips move into shadow, cool, and lengthen again, while new strips are exposed to the sun — keeping the motion going. This changes heat energy from the Sun into motion (mechanical) energy.

1. Sample answer: It would help show how clouds affect the amount of solar heat energy reaching the Engine — fewer revolutions on a cloudy day would suggest clouds block or reduce solar energy compared to a clear, sunny day.

1. Sample answer: The Engine would likely spin faster in Southern Florida because it is closer to the Equator and receives more direct/greater solar energy, while Northern Canada, being farther from the Equator, receives less solar energy — differences in latitude are a major control on climate.