Atmosphere Flashcards
Why does the temperature decrease going up the troposphere
UV radiation is emitted from the sun
It is absorbed by the surface of the earth
And then re-radiated into the atmosphere
The re-radiated as infrared
It gets colder as you go up as the heat is absorbed by the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
Why does the temperature get warmer in the stratosphere
Closer to the sun so receives more UV light
So the higher you go the warmer it gets
Temperature inversion
What happens to the pressure
Decrease as the altitude increases as there are less particle. This is because there is less gravity to hold them together
How is ozone formed
UV splits up oxygen molecules into oxygen atoms
Oxygen atom combines to and oxygen molecule to form O3
Ozone is broken down by UV into an oxygen molecule and a oxygen atom
DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM
What are the main uses for the gases in the atmosphere
Nitrogen - DNA proteins RNA
Oxygen - aerobic respiration
Carbon dioxide - photosynthesis
Water vapour - hydrological cycle
What is nuclear fusion
Joining of hydrogen atoms yo form helium and release neutrons at high temperatures and pressure
What is meant by insolation
Is the total amount of solar radiation received on a given surface area during a given time
How does insolation change
Radiation is a stoned in by the ozone layer in the stratosphere and reflected by clouds in the troposphere (albedo)
What are the main gases in the atmosphere
Nitrogen 78% Oxygen 22% Water vapour variable Carbon dioxide 0.04% Methane 2 ppmv Ozone variable
What greenhouse gases have increased over time
All except CFCs as they were banned
Thermal expansion and melting land ice
Is predicted to increase global sea levels of 0.7-1.6 ft by 2100
An increase in sea levels will submerge a number of islands and lowland regions
A change in wind patterns….
Storms and hurricanes will become more intense and last longer, unleashing strong winds causing more damage
Temperatures are set to increase meaning storms to gain more energy from warm water
Change in rainfall patterns …..
Rising global temperature will result in more intense hydrological cycles and winds.
Warmer air is able to hold more water vapour so will cause rainfall to become heavier and likely to cause more flooding
Change in ocean currents
El Niño
The rise in temperature will cause more floods
A warm current is heading south (CURRENT REVERSE) so warm air is above it so will hold moisture and wind heading towards South America, therefore moisture is heading towards land
More evaporation and humidity
Change in ocean current
La Niña
Normal
Cold current heading northwards not going onto land so air above is cold. Therefore all moisture is going to be dropped in ocean
GOES ANTI-CLOCKWISE
