Atmosphere and Weather

Question 1

Insolation?

Answer 1

The amount of incoming solar radiation that reaches the earth’s surface as short-wave radiation.

Question 2

Reflected solar radiation?

Answer 2

The energy from the sun as short-wave radiation that is not absorbed by surfaces

Question 3

Surface absorption?

Answer 3

When solar energy reaches the earth’s surface, which heats up

Question 4

Sub-surface absorption?

Answer 4

The heat transferred to the soil and bedrock during the day, which is released back to the surface at night.

Question 5

Albedo?

Answer 5

Proportion of energy that is reflected back into the atmosphere, represented as a percentage.

Question 6

Sensible heat transfer?

Answer 6

Heat exchanged by conduction/ convection between warmer and cold bodies

Question 7

Long-wave radiation?

Answer 7

Radiation of energy from the earth (a cold body) into the atmosphere, some of it eventually reaching space.

Question 8

Short-wave radiation?

Answer 8

UV radiation. Radiation from a very hot body (the sun)

Question 9

Evaporation?

Answer 9

The change of state of water to gas by the addition of heat

Question 10

Condensation?

Answer 10

The change of state from water vapour to liquid due to cooling

Question 11

Insulation?

Answer 11

The act of covering something to stop heat from escaping or entering, usually in the form of clouds maintaining overnight temperatures at ground level.

Question 12

Convection?

Answer 12

Upward movement of air caused by surface heating, resulting in less dense air.

Question 13

Sublimation?

Answer 13

The process of changing from a gas to a solid (or vise versa) without going through a liquid phase.

Question 14

Latent heat?

Answer 14

The amount of heat energy required for a substance to change state. (E.g. liquid to gas)

Question 15

Climate change?

Answer 15

The long- term change in the average weather patterns that define Earth’s local, regional and global climates.

Question 16

Global warming?

Answer 16

The long term heating of Earth’s climate system since the pre-industrial period (1850-1900) due to human activities. (Fossil fuel burning, increasing heat trapping GHG levels in the atmosphere)

Question 17

Explain the greenhouse effect

Answer 17

1. SWR emitted by sun hits Earth. Some absorbed. Some reflected back out to space.
2. LWR emitted by Earth absorbed by GHGs and re-emitted in all directions including back into the atmosphere.

Question 18

How many times more potent is methane than CO2?

Answer 18

11 times

Question 19

Sources of methane emissions?

Answer 19

1. Melting permafrost
2. Landfill
3. Ruminating animal agriculture
4. By product of fossil fuel/ mineral extraction
5. Rice paddy fields

Question 20

What percentage of deforestation in the Amazon is cause by cattle ranching alone?

Answer 20

80%

Question 21

What is an air mass?

Answer 21

A body of air with the same temperature and humidity over thousands of square miles. It mimics the characteristic of the area it presides over.

Question 22

Which air mass affect the UK?

Answer 22

• Polar Continental
• Polar Maritime
• Tropical Continental
• Tropical Maritime
• Arctic Maritime

Question 23

What is the polar front jet stream?

Answer 23

High altitude winds that can travel up to 250 mph.
Formed by difference in temperature of Polar and Ferrell cell.
10-12km above Earth’s surface.
Blows from west to east.

Question 24

What seven factors result in global energy surpluses/deficits?

Answer 24

1. Angle of incidence
2. Tilt of the earth
3. Albedo
4. Continentality
5. Altitude
6. Aspect
7. UHI and cloud cover

Question 25

What is the thermohaline circulation system?

Answer 25

The vertical movement of water between the depths to the surface.
Driven by differences in density of sea water, which is controlled by temperature and salinity.

Question 26

What are ocean currents?

Answer 26

Surface currents that move horizontally, influenced by differences in temperature and wind