AS- Physcial: The Atmosphere

Question 1

Where do weather systems occur?

Answer 1

In the Troposphere which is 10km above Earths surface

Question 2

What is the meaning of Weather?

Answer 2

The state of the atmosphere at a particular place at a particular time

Question 3

What is Climate?

Answer 3

The average weather over a log period of time usually 30-35 years

Question 4

What sort of system is the Atmosphere?

Answer 4

It is a closed system

Question 5

What does closed system mean?

Answer 5

Energy can move in and out of the system but matter can’t

Question 6

What is Energy from the sun called?

Answer 6

Insolation

Question 7

What type of radiation is energy from the sun?

Answer 7

Short wave energy

Question 8

What is the reflective nature of clouds and the earth called?

Answer 8

The Albedo effect

Question 9

What type of energy is the energy reflected off the surface of earth

Answer 9

Long wave radiation

Question 10

What are the reasons for insolation nor being even across the world?

Answer 10

Latitude, Seasons, Length of day

Question 11

How does Latitude affect insolation?

Answer 11

The amount of insolation that reaches the earths surface is greatest when the suns rays approach at right angles like it does at the equator
The thickness of the atmosphere also plays a part into it as the further from the equator you go the thicker the atmosphere becomes for insolation to go through

Question 12

How do Seasons affect insolation?

Answer 12

The earths axis is not aligned with that of the sun, so the tilt leads to season and varying strengths of insolation

Question 13

How does Distance from the sea affect temperature?

Answer 13

Plages by the coast are cooled by breezes from the sea in summer and warmed by warm breezes from the sea in winter, land doesn’t have thus moderating effect

Question 14

What is the name given to when Distance form the sea or location matter?

Answer 14

Continentality

Question 15

What causes the difference between land and sea surfaces to absorb insolation?

Answer 15

Land surfaces are heated to a shallow depth more quickly, whereas sea surfaces have a higher heat capacity as insolation penetrates to a substantial depth

Question 16

How does Altitude affect temperature?

Answer 16

It falls but 1oC every 100m in height above sea level

Question 17

What is the process called Adiabatic cooling entail?

Answer 17

As air rises, pressure decreases and it expands and thus uses energy and temperature drops

Question 18

What are other factors that affect energy difference across the globe?

Answer 18

Prevailing winds, Ocean currents and Aspect

Question 19

What is Aspect?

Answer 19

The angle of slope direction in relation to the sun e.g I’m Europe south facing slopes will generally be warmer as they face the sun

Question 20

What is Prevailing winds?

Answer 20

The direction from which the wind blows most frequently

Question 21

What Prevailing winds or Ocean currents warm and cool down Britain?

Answer 21

The North Atlantic Drift (Gulf stream) warms Britain as it is a warm ocean current from the Gulf of Mexico
Prevailing winds in Britain are from the south west they will be cool in summer but mild in winter

Question 22

What are the methods of Vertical Heat Transfer?

Answer 22

Radiation, Convection, Conduction

Question 23

Explain the methods of Vertical Heat Transfer

Answer 23

Radiation- land radiates heat back into space as long wave radiation
Convection- warm air rises as part of a convection current
Conduction- energy is transferred through contact

Question 24

What does Heat Surplus and Heat Deficit mean?

Answer 24

Heat Surplus- when more energy enters than leaves the atmosphere
Heat Deficit- more more energy leaves than enters the atmosphere

Question 26

Give examples of Methods of Horizontal Transfer

Answer 26

Ocean currents, Winds, Hurricanes

Question 27

How do Ocean currents transfer heat energy?

Answer 27

It depends on the temperature and salinity (salt content), this affects density which powers the system

Question 28

What is Latent heat?

Answer 28

When water evaporates the energy is stored as latent heat and when the vapour condenses the energy is released, so warm air from the tropics bring water vapour poleward and release energy to areas of Deficit

Question 29

Where does Heat Surplus and Heat Deficit occur?

Answer 29

Heat surplus occurs at the equator, heat deficit occurs at the poles

Question 30

How do Hurricanes transfer heat energy?

Answer 30

It does it through Latent heat

Question 31

How do Winds transfer heat energy?

Answer 31

Winds are responsible for the majority of Horizontal heat energy transfer, it does this by using Latent heat