Atmospheric Processes Flashcards
1
Q
Composition of the Atmosphere
A
- 78% nitrogen
- 21% oxygen (important for our existence)
- .9% argon
- .1% CO2, H2O, etc
2
Q
What determines temperature patterns around the world
A
- Latitude
- Altitude (radiates energy, air is thinner)
- Land/Water Contrasts
- Ocean Crust
- Wind Direction
3
Q
why we have cold polar regions, warm topics and seasons?
A
- Curved surface of earth produces unequal distribution of suns heat
- Length of day also contributes
- Sun angle is low in winter, days are shorter VV in summer
4
Q
Water
A
- Transparent
- Heat penetrates the entire body of water
-Poor conductor of heat and mixes well
5
Q
Land
A
- Opaque =not letting light through
- Only surface gets heated
- Better conductor of heat, doesn’t mix
6
Q
Latent heat
A
Evaporation of water takes the heat away
7
Q
Ocean Currents
A
- Ocean water is caused by Coriolis effect
- Currents move clockwise in north hemisphere
- Currents move counter clockwise in south hemisphere
8
Q
Energy
A
resulting in motion of energy
9
Q
Heat
A
one form of energy, as is light, mechanical,
electric
10
Q
Temperature
A
measure of average of motion of energy of molecules
11
Q
Three different scales
A
Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin
12
Q
INcoming SOLar radiATION
A
Insolation
13
Q
- Visible light in the middle, Radio waves on the low end
- Speed of light and all electromagnetic are the same
- Fastest in the universe
A
Electromagnetic Spectrum
14
Q
What happened with isolation?
Energy is Radiated an is either…
A
Reflected, Absorbed, Scattered (Reflected and redirected by air molecules)
15
Q
Absorbed Energy is transferred by..
A
- Conduction (direct heat transfer of all matter)
- Convection (heat mixed by flowing gas and liquids)
- Latent Heat (heat removed through evaporation)
