2-16

Question 1

the composition of the atmosphere - heterosphere and homosphere

Answer 1

heterosphere - 80-100 km above the surface, variable composition

homosphere - from surface to 80-100 km uniform composition , 3 components, constant gasses, variable gasses and impurities

nitrogen and oxygen make up 99% of the atmosphere

Question 2

radiation absorption

Answer 2

process by which radiation is retained and converted into heat energy, co2 water vapour and ozone absorb long wave radiation and release heat.

causes areas where there are heavy clouds to heat up until it can do reradiating

counterradiation - longwave radiation for the warm atmosphere re radiated back to the surface

Question 3

ocean surface currents

Answer 3

sea contains several horizontal vertical and diagonal currents, most oceanic heat transfer occurs horizontally in uppermost 100m = surface currents

warm currents mover form tropics to the poles, cold currents move from the poles towards the equator

global conveyor belt - moves masses of cold deep sea water from high latitudes to latitudes

Question 4

Koppen climate classification system

Answer 4

developed from correlations found between atmosphere and the biosphere to distinguish one climate from another vegetation distribution

6 major groups - temperature
tropical A, mesothermal C, micro thermal D, polar E
PE> precipitation - dry B
variable highland H

Question 5

Tectonic Plates classification

Answer 5

Subducting plate - one gets pushed underneath and the other over , convergent plate most often under water

divergent - pushed away form each other

transform - they move in opposite directions parallel to each other rather than separating or running into each other

Question 6

Asteroids

Answer 6

rocky bodies 10skm-1000km in diameter
not observed to have characteristics of an active comet such as a tail, formed much closer to the sun, where it was too warm for ice to remain solid large asteroids are often called planetoids

Question 7

Fractures/joints/faults

Answer 7

Fracture : break in the earths crust
fault : fracture in crustal rock that involves the displacement of rock on one side of the fracture with respect to rock on either side
- Occur when rocks rupture strength is exceeded by some imposed stress
Rocks break fracture and to return to their original shape on either side of the fault
Slippage along a fault produces an earthquake

joint : fracture without displacement of rock

Question 8

fold structures

Answer 8

when rocks are compressed they respond to the stress by folding as well as faulting, all rocks have a capacity to bend, folds are most characteristic of sedimentary rock

anticlines - most obvious upfold , an arch like fold with limbs dipping away form the axis
synclines - downfolds, trough like and its limbs dip towards its axial plane