Atmosphere test- climate & biome section Flashcards
what is the relationship between latitude and climate?
near the equator it is warmer, near the poles it is cooler. warm air rises, cool air sinks
what is the relationship between altitude and climate?
as you go higher in altitude, the climate gets colder.
how does cloud cover affect temperature?
- cloudy days are cooler (clouds block heat)
- cloudy nights are warmer (clouds trap heat form leaving the earth)
what is albedo?
the reflective ability of different surfaces
how much radiation is absorbed by the earth? what reflects the radiation?
70% absorbed, surface reflects the radiation
why do coastal climates have mild weather compared to inland?
the water has a higher specific heat, inland waters have lower specific heat
how do greenhouse gases keep the earth warm?
co2, water, and methane can trap some of the radiation that is radiating back into space and it will warm the earth.
what is koppen’s classification system?
a system for classifying climates based on plants, temperature, and precipitation.
what is a climatogram? why are they used?
graphs showing precipitation and rainfall over a year.
