2. Atmosphere Key Terms

Question 1

Diurnal Energy Budget

Answer 1

The balance between the incoming and outgoing energy of the Earth’s surface over a 24-hour period.

Question 2

Incoming (Shortwave) Solar Radiation

Answer 2

The energy emitted by the sun that reaches the Earth’s surface in the form of visible and ultraviolet light.

Question 3

Reflected Solar Radiation

Answer 3

The portion of incoming solar radiation that bounces back into the atmosphere without being absorbed by the Earth’s surface.

Question 4

Energy Absorbed into the Surface and Subsurface

Answer 4

The portion of incoming solar radiation that is absorbed by the Earth’s surface and heats it up, some can also penetrate and heat the subsurface.

Question 5

Albedo

Answer 5

The proportion of incoming solar radiation that is reflected back into the atmosphere by a surface.

Question 6

Sensible Heat Transfer

Answer 6

The transfer of heat between the Earth’s surface and the atmosphere through direct contact. Warm surfaces transfer heat to the cooler air, and vice versa.

Question 7

Longwave Radiation

Answer 7

The infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface and atmosphere back towards space.

Question 8

Latent Heat Transfer

Answer 8

The transfer of heat that occurs when water changes state (evaporation) or returns to a liquid state (condensation). Evaporation requires energy from the surroundings, cooling the surface, while condensation releases energy, warming the surroundings.

Question 9

Evaporation

Answer 9

The process by which liquid water changes into a gas and enters the atmosphere. This process absorbs energy from the surrounding environment, leading to a cooling effect.

Question 10

Dew

Answer 10

Water vapor that condenses on objects at night when the surface temperature falls below the dew point. This process releases energy, slightly warming the surface.

Question 11

Longwave Radiation from the Atmosphere

Answer 11

Some of the longwave radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface is trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and re-radiated back towards the surface, contributing to warming.

Question 12

Global Energy Budget

Answer 12

The balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing Earth radiation that determines the planet’s average temperature.

Question 13

Latitudinal Pattern of Radiation

Answer 13

The variation in the amount of solar radiation received by the Earth’s surface at different latitudes.

Question 14

Excesses

Answer 14

Areas that receive more solar radiation than they emit back into space, typically occurring at lower latitudes.

Question 15

Deficits

Answer 15

Areas that emit more radiation than they receive from the sun, typically occurring at higher latitudes.

Question 16

Atmospheric Transfers

Answer 16

Processes by which heat is redistributed around the globe through the movement of air and water.

Question 17

Wind Belts

Answer 17

Large-scale, persistent atmospheric circulation patterns characterized by prevailing wind directions.

Question 18

Ocean Currents

Answer 18

Large-scale, continuous flows of water in the oceans driven by wind, temperature, and salinity differences.

Question 19

Seasonal Variations

Answer 19

Changes in temperature, pressure, and wind belts throughout the year.

Question 20

Influence of Latitude

Answer 20

The angle of the sun’s rays varies with latitude, affecting the amount of solar radiation received and influencing temperature patterns.

Question 21

Land-Sea Distribution

Answer 21

Land heats and cools faster than water. This uneven heating creates pressure differences that drive atmospheric circulation and influence wind patterns.

Question 22

Ocean Currents

Answer 22

Warm ocean currents transport heat towards higher latitudes, moderating their climates. Cold currents transport heat away from polar regions.

Question 23

Atmospheric Moisture Processes

Answer 23

Processes that govern the movement and transformation of water vapor in the atmosphere.

Question 24

Evaporation

Answer 24

The process where liquid water changes into a gas and enters the atmosphere.

Question 25

Condensation

Answer 25

The process by which water vapor changes into a liquid state, forming clouds or dew.

Question 26

Freezing

Answer 26

The process where water vapor or liquid water changes into ice crystals.

Question 27

Melting

Answer 27

The process where ice or snow changes into liquid water.

Question 28

Deposition

Answer 28

The process by which water vapor changes directly into ice crystals, bypassing the liquid stage. This is common in the formation of frost and some types of snow.

Question 29

Sublimation

Answer 29

The process where solid ice or snow changes directly into water vapor without melting into liquid water first.

Question 30

Causes of Precipitation

Answer 30

Mechanisms that lift and cool air, leading to condensation and precipitation.

Question 31

Convection

Answer 31

Warm air rises, cools, and condenses as it reaches higher altitudes, forming clouds and rain.

Question 32

Frontal Uplift

Answer 32

When warm and cold air masses meet, the warm air is forced to rise over the cooler air, leading to condensation and precipitation along the frontal boundary.

Question 33

Orographic Uplift

Answer 33

As air is forced to rise over mountains, it cools and condenses, producing precipitation on the windward side of the mountains.

Question 34

Radiation Cooling

Answer 34

At night, the Earth’s surface loses heat through radiation, cooling the air in contact with it. This cooling can lead to condensation and fog formation.

Question 35

Types of Precipitation

Answer 35

Different forms of water that fall to the Earth’s surface from the atmosphere.

Question 36

Clouds

Answer 36

Visible collections of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere.

Question 37

Rain

Answer 37

Liquid water droplets that fall to the Earth’s surface from clouds.

Question 38

Hail

Answer 38

Balls or lumps of ice that form within cumulonimbus clouds and fall to the ground.

Question 39

Snow

Answer 39

Frozen water vapor that condenses directly into ice crystals in the atmosphere and falls to the ground as flakes.

Question 40

Dew

Answer 40

Water vapor that condenses on objects at night when the surface temperature falls below the dew point.

Question 41

Fog

Answer 41

A visible collection of water droplets or ice crystals suspended near the Earth’s surface, reducing visibility.

Question 42

Human Impact

Answer 42

The ways in which human activities are affecting the Earth’s climate.

Question 43

Greenhouse Effect

Answer 43

The natural process by which certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, warming the planet.

Question 44

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Answer 44

Human activities are increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, amplifying the natural greenhouse effect and causing global warming.

Question 45

Global Warming

Answer 45

The long-term increase in the average global temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans.

Question 46

Rising Global Temperatures

Answer 46

Direct temperature measurements show an increase in average global temperatures over the past century.

Question 47

Melting Glaciers and Ice Sheets

Answer 47

Glaciers and polar ice sheets are melting at an alarming rate, contributing to sea level rise.

Question 48

Sea Level Rise

Answer 48

The average global sea level is rising due to thermal expansion of ocean water and melting glaciers.

Question 49

Changes in Precipitation Patterns

Answer 49

Global warming is altering precipitation patterns, leading to more extreme weather events like heat waves, droughts, and floods.

Question 50

Ocean Acidification

Answer 50

Increased carbon dioxide dissolving in the oceans makes them more acidic, harming marine ecosystems.

Question 51

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Answer 51

The burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) is the primary source of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide.

Question 52

Deforestation

Answer 52

Forests absorb carbon dioxide, so deforestation contributes to higher atmospheric concentrations.

Question 53

Other Human Activities

Answer 53

Industrial processes, agriculture, and waste management also release greenhouse gases.

Question 54

Increased Temperatures

Answer 54

Rising temperatures can lead to heat waves, droughts, and more intense storms.

Question 55

Changes in Precipitation Patterns

Answer 55

Global warming disrupts weather patterns, leading to increased variability in precipitation, with both floods and droughts becoming more common.

Question 56

Sea Level Rise

Answer 56

Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities and ecosystems.

Question 57

Extreme Weather Events

Answer 57

Global warming is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

Question 58

Temperature in London

Answer 58

Average annual temperature in London is about 1-2°C higher than surrounding rural areas.

Question 59

Heatwaves in London

Answer 59

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense. For example, in July 2019, central London reached a record high of 38.7°C, exceeding rural areas by as much as 5°C.

Question 60

Humidity in London

Answer 60

The urban environment can trap moisture due to reduced ventilation and higher temperatures. However, the overall impact on humidity in London is complex and depends on factors like wind patterns and precipitation.

Question 61

Precipitation in London

Answer 61

The urban heat island effect can influence precipitation patterns. Rising temperatures can lead to increased convection and potentially more intense downpours, but also contribute to unpredictable changes in overall precipitation amounts. While summers may see drier periods, heavy rainfall events can cause flash flooding.

Question 62

Winds in London

Answer 62

Buildings and tall structures can disrupt natural wind patterns within the city. This can lead to reduced air circulation and exacerbate the heat island effect, particularly in densely built-up areas.

Question 63

Heat island at night

Answer 63

The effects of the urban heat island are most pronounced during nighttime hours, as rural areas cool down more readily.

Question 64

Global impact

Answer 64

The impacts of human activity on climate are not limited to London. Similar effects can be observed in most major cities around the world.

Question 65

Location - Heat island

Answer 65

Research suggests Central London, particularly areas with high building density like the City of London and Westminster, experience the most significant heat island effect.

Question 66

Location - Green spaces

Answer 66

Areas with larger green spaces, like Richmond upon Thames in southwest London, tend to have lower average temperatures.