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Earth And Space 2 > Atmospheric Processes > Flashcards

Atmospheric Processes Flashcards

1
Q

Atmosphere composition

A

Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
Trace gases 1% (carbon dioxide, ozone)

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2
Q

Importance of the atmosphere

A

Most organisms need oxygen for respiration
Traps heat, providing suitable temp for life, prevents heat radiating out space
Transmits sounds
Protection against objects from outer space
Part of water cycle
Transfers heat around earth
Supports flying insects and birds
Plants, algae and Cyanobacteria need CO2 for photosynthesis
Protects living organisms from harmful UV radiation

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3
Q

Troposphere (7)

A

Weather occurs in this layer (unstable, convection currents) as most water vapour and dust
Contains 75-80% of the mass of the atmosphere
7-30 km above sea level
15 to -57 degrees Celsius temp decrease with altitude
Jet stream just below tropopause
Volcanic ash doesn’t stay very long
Air pressure and density decrease with altitude
Wider at equator, narrower at poles

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4
Q

Stratosphere (5)

A

Jet air crafts fly in this layer (Stable, very dry with little water vapour therefore no weather)
Ozone layer absorbs harmful UV rays, re-radiate energy as hear warming stratosphere -extends from 15-35 km above sea level
50 km high
Temp rises with altitude
Volcanic ash and dust stay here for a long time

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5
Q

Mesosphere (4)

A

Meteorites burn up in this layer
50-85 km high
As low as -120 degrees Celsius top layer, temp gets colder with altitude because air thin/molecules far apart doesn’t absorb solar energy
Noctilucent clouds form over the poles

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6
Q

Thermosphere (6)

A

Auroras
International space station orbits
90-500 and 1000 km high
Temp rises sharply in lower thermosphere due to solar heating
Upper thermosphere temps can range from 500-2000 degrees Celsius, however feels cold because hot gas particles (O, H, He) far apart
Hotter in day than night

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7
Q

Exosphere (4)

A

Satellites/space shuttle orbit
10,000 km and above
Very thin as few atmospheric particles (atoms and molecules) escape into space
H and He main components

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8
Q

How is ozone created

A

When high energy ultraviolet radiation from the sun strikes an oxygen molecule, converting it to ozone O3

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9
Q

How are auroras created

A

By the collision of charged particles and solar wind which become directed into the the atmosphere by earths magnetosphere. Charged particles she’s excess energy which produces colour auroral displays

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10
Q

Atmosphere

A

A layer of gases surrounding a planet, held in place by the gravity of the planet

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11
Q

What is atmospheric temperature gradient

A

The rate and direction of change of temperature in a particular location ie. in some layers the temperature increases with altitude while in others it decreases

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12
Q

Describe atmospheric pressure

A

The force exerted by air on a certain area

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13
Q

What is atmospheric pressure gradient

A

The rate and direction of change of air pressure at a particular location

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14
Q

Describe atmospheric density

A

Is the mass of air molecules per unit of volume

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15
Q

Aerosols

A

Are minute solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere

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16
Q

3 main types of aerosol affect the earths climate

A

Volcanic aerosols
Desert dust
Human-made aerosols

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17
Q

Volcanic aerosols

A

Volcanic aerosol layers form in the stratosphere after major volcanic eruptions. Sulfur dioxide gas is converted to droplets of sulfuric acid in the stratosphere for up to several months after the eruption. Winds spread aerosols around the globe. Stay in stratosphere for 2 years. Reflect sunlight, reducing amount of energy reaching lower atmosphere and earths surface, cooling the earth

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18
Q

Desert dust

A

The particles in dust plumes are minute grains of dirt blown from the desert surface. Relatively large and blown to high altitudes by intense dust storms.
Composed of minerals so particles absorb sunlight as well as scatter it, warming the layer of the atmosphere they are in

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19
Q

Human-made aerosols

A

Aerosols form from smoke from the burning of tropical rain forests and fossil fuels. Sulfate aerosols survive in atmosphere for 3-5 days, reflect sunlight reducing amount of radiation reaching earths surface

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20
Q

Clouds

A

Are visible masses of liquid droplets or frozen crystals made of water suspended in the atmosphere above earths surface

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21
Q

Removal of aerosols

A

Mainly removed from atmosphere by rain

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22
Q

Different layers of the atmosphere

A 
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere 
Thermosphere
Exosphere
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23
Q

Earths atmosphere

A

A very thin layer of gases held in place by gravity

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24
Q

Nacreous clouds

A

Stratosphere very dry as little water vapour, very few clouds except PSCs (nacreous clouds) which appear in lower stratosphere near the poles in winter when temp is below -78 degrees C. They help form the ozone hole by encouraging certain chemical reactions to occur that destroy ozone

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25
Q

Temperature is measured in

A

Kelvin, K or degrees Celsius

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26
Q

Pressure is measured in

A

Millibars, mb or hectopascals, hPa or pascals per metre, Pa/m

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27
Q

Horizontal temperature gradients

A

Absorption of solar radiation at or near the earths surface can lead to a change in temperature gradient that can lead to convection. To reduce the large temperature difference between the poles and the equator the atmosphere and ocean re distribute masses of warm and cold air

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28
Q

Horizontal pressure

A

Unequal heating of the earths surface creates pressure differences. The air is warmer at the equator than at the poles. Warm air has low pressure, cool air has high pressure. Winds blow from high to low pressure. The closer together the isobars are the greater the difference in pressure and the stronger the winds are

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29
Q

Atmospheric density measured in

A

Kilograms per cubic metre, kgm-3

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30
Q

Atmospheric density decreases with

A 
Increasing altitude (fewer particles)
Increased temperature (warmer particles moving faster + further apart)
Increased humidity (extra water vapour has a smaller mass than dry air for the same volume)
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31
Q

Earths tilt

A

23.5 degrees

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32
Q

Summer in the Southern Hemisphere

A

Sun directly over Tropic of Capricorn once a year on the 21/22 dec -summer solstice

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33
Q

Summer solstice in Southern Hemisphere degrees

A 
Arctic circle (66.5)- 24 hours darkness
Tropic of Cancer (23.5)- 13.5 hours 
Equator (0)- 12 hours darkness
Tropic of Capricorn (23.5)- 10.5 hours
Antarctic circle (66.5)- 0 hours darkness
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34
Q

Winter Southern Hemisphere

A

Sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer once a year on the 21/22 June - summer solstice in Northern Hemisphere

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35
Q

Summer solstice in Northern Hemisphere degrees

A 
Arctic circle (66.5)- 24 hours daylight
Tropic of Cancer (23.5)- 13.5 hours 
Equator (0)- 12 hours daylight 
Tropic of Capricorn (23.5)- 10.5 hours
Antarctic circle (66.5)- 0 hours daylight
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36
Q

Equinoxes

A

Sun directly overhead at the equator twice a year on the 21st March and 21st September

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37
Q

Aerosols and sunlight

A

When particles sufficiently large, we notice their presence because they scatter and absorb sunlight.
Eg. Smoke from Australian bush fires scatter sunlight, reduce visibility forming a haze

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38
Q

Aerosols and the climate

A

Aerosols help form clouds, which have an impact on climate

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39
Q

Aerosols and air pollution

A

Some aerosols form naturally, while people release others into the air. Breathing aerosols from air pollution can make people ill

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40
Q

Aerosols and chemical reactions

A

Aerosols can act as sites for chemical reactions to take place. During winter in polar regions aerosols form polar stratospheric clouds. The large S.A of the cloud particles provides sites for chemical reactions. The reactions can lead to the formation of large amounts of chlorine which ultimately leads to the destruction of ozone in the stratosphere

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41
Q

How do clouds form

A

Water vapour and aerosols bump into each other. Warm air contains more water vapour than cool air. When the air cools to its dew point, some water vapour sticks to the aerosols when they collide and condenses to liquid water. These water droplets start sticking together with other droplets, forming clouds

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42
Q

Atmospheric circulation

A

Is the large scale movement of air masses and the method by which heat energy is distributed around the surface of the earth

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43
Q

Hadley cells

A

Strongest of the 3 cells of circulation and form as a result of warm moist air rising above the equator and flowing northward or southward. The rising air creates a band of low pressure at the equator. Northward flow deflects to the right in northern hemisphere due to coriolis effect. As the air moves towards the poles it cools and sinks producing a band of high pressure called the subtropical high

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44
Q

Ferrel cells

A

Are not closed loop convection cells because don’t have heat source of the equator or cold heat sink of the poles to drive convection. Can be affected by passing weather systems. Have air rising where it is relatively cold and sinking air where it is relatively warm because of eddies

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45
Q

What is an eddy

A

A change in the normal/average conditions within the atmosphere. Occur in areas of strong temperature gradient, they warm the cold area and cool the warm area by mixing air

46
Q

Polar cells

A

Form as a result of differences in surface temperatures. At the poles cold dense air descends causing an area of high pressure. Coriolis force strongest at poles so air deflected sharply.

47
Q

Wind belts

A

Are caused by differences in atmospheric pressure. Air moves from areas of high pressure to low pressure. The greater the difference in pressure the stronger the wind.

48
Q

The main wind belts:

A 
Polar easterlies 
Polar front
Westerlies
Trade winds (NE, SE)
Horse latitudes
Doldrums
49
Q

Polar easterlies

A

Dry cold winds that blow from areas of high pressure to low pressure in the ferrel cells

50
Q

Polar front

A

Stationary natural boundary where cold polar air meets warm tropical air and warm moist air rises

51
Q

Westerlies

A

Strong winds from the west, tend towards north in northern hemisphere and south in Southern Hemisphere

52
Q

Horse latitudes

A

Form under a ridge of high pressure; dry air, little precipitation, variable winds

53
Q

NE and SE trade winds

A

Blow towards equator from north and south respectively

54
Q

Doldrums/inter tropical convergence zone

A

Area around equator where no winds blow because the warm rising air creates an area of low pressure

55
Q

Main pressure zones

A

Polar high/subpolar low pressure belts
Polar front/the poles
Subtropical high pressure belts
ITCZ and the tropics

56
Q

What are pressure zones

A

Mark the boundaries of the wind belts

57
Q

Jet streams

A

Narrow belts of high speed winds in the upper troposphere. They separate warm air above from cold air below. Form at the boundaries of adjacent air masses with significant differences in temp

58
Q

Land and sea breezes

A

Localised weather patterns

59
Q

Sea breezes

A

During the day the land warms more rapidly than the water (ocean has higher specific heat capacity). The air above land warms, becomes less dense and rises drawing cooler air landward from the sea

60
Q

Land breeze

A

At night land cools faster (lower specific heat capacity). The cool heavy air from the land flows out to sea.

61
Q

Walker circulation

A

Arises from trade winds blowing from east to west across the tropical Pacific Ocean carrying moist surface air to the western tropical pacific where the air rises forming clouds

62
Q

Conduction

A

Movement of heat from the molecules of one substance to another

63
Q

Convection

A

Warm air expands becomes less dense than surrounding cooler air and rises. Cooler heavier air flows toward surface to replace warm air

64
Q

Radiation

A

Short wave length radiation (sunlight) is absorbed by the ground and re radiated back out as long wave length radiation (heat/infra red) where the atmosphere absorbs it

65
Q

Climate

A

The average weather conditions found in the atmosphere over a long period of time

66
Q

Weather

A

The short term atmospheric conditions over a short period of time

67
Q

Factors that determine earths climate

A

Solar energy- sun heats earths surface unevenly
Earths tilt- different parts receive different amounts of solar energy at different times
Wind formation- due to convection cells and local conditions
Pressure differences- cause the winds
Coriolis effect- winds and ocean currents deflected clockwise in NH and anticlockwise in SH

68
Q

How is weather caused

A

Weather is caused by uneven heating of earths surface by sun so different locations heat up different amounts creating winds that determine whether weather is sunny, rainy or stormy. Weather varies from place to place

69
Q

Isobars

A

Join together places with the same air pressure. Flow is clockwise in SH around lows and anticlockwise around highs. Opposite in NH. Closer the isobars, stronger the wind

70
Q

Isobars measured in

A

Hectopascals

71
Q

A front

A

Marks the boundary between 2 air masses

72
Q

Cold front

A

Form when cold air pushes under warmer air ahead of it, forcing the warm air upwards and making cloud and areas of rain. As it passes rain clears but air temp drops and winds change directions

73
Q

Warm front

A

Warm air rises over cooler air often bringing prolonged steady rain. As it passes rain becomes patchy but air temp may rise and winds change direction

74
Q

High isobars

A

High pressure

75
Q

Low isobars

A

Low pressure

76
Q

Precipitation

A

Any form of water that moves through the earths atmosphere to its surface. Includes rain, sleet, snow. Rising air gets colder and water vapour in it condenses to form clouds, in areas of high pressure air descends and little precipitation

77
Q

Anabatic wind

A

During the day sun warms mountain, air ascends as lighter

78
Q

Katabatic winds

A

At night mountain cools air descends as heavier

79
Q

Two types of jet streams

A 
Polar jets (7-12km altitude)
Subtropical jets (10-16km altitude)
80
Q

How do we know climate is changing?

A 
Increasing temperatures
Changes in rainfall
Changes in nature
Sea-level rising
Reduction in arctic sea ice
Shrinking ice sheets
81
Q

Worlds climate varies naturally as a result of:

A

The way ocean and atmosphere interact with each other
Changes in earths orbit
Changes in energy received from the sun
Changes brought about by tectonic plate movement

82
Q

What is causing climate to change?

A

Humans are adding heat-trapping ages to the atmosphere mainly by burning fossil fuels

83
Q

Green house effect

A

Earth gets energy from sun in the form of sunlight. Earths surface absorbs energy and heats up. Earth cools down by giving off a different form of energy called infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases in atmosphere absorb some energy making it warmer. Earths surface warmer too.

84
Q

What are greenhouse gases?

A

Naturally occurring in the atmosphere: water vapour, CO2, methane, nitrous oxide
Human-made: extra CO2, methane, nitrous oxide and synthetic gases such as fluorocarbons (CFCs and sulfur compounds)

85
Q

albedo

A

Measure of the reflectivity of a surface

86
Q

Evidence earths climate has changed before

A 
Ice cores
Fossil pollen
Lake sediment
Ocean sediment cores
Wind borne material
Glaciers
Tree ring width
Instrument measurements and written or oral records
87
Q

Two conditions that make it likely for a planet to have an atmosphere?

A

Strong gravity and low temp

88
Q

What is soil gas and how does it differ from the atmosphere above the soil surface?

A

Part of the atmosphere in the spaces below the soil surface. Amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in soil gas are different from those in atmosphere above soil. Oxygen levels can vary 0-20% and CO2 levels from 0-5%

89
Q

What is the ionosphere

A

An area of electrically charged ions in the thermosphere

90
Q

What causes the temperature gradients in each layer?

A

The heat sources of each layer

91
Q

How does a temp gradient between different layers cause winds?

A

Leads to differences in air pressure between locations and as a result wind, as air particles move quickly from the region of high pressure to that of low pressure

92
Q

Why are winds stronger in winter?

A

There is a strong temp gradient between the poles and the equator due to the fact that the poles receive the minimal amount of solar radiation at this time while the equator receives the same amount as at other times of year

93
Q

Factors that can lead to a change in the atmospheric temp gradient

A

Altitude, daily heating and cooling changes, seasonal heating and cooling changes, differences between temps of land and water

94
Q

In terms of particles how decreasing humidity or lowering air temp increases air density?

A

Decreasing humidity removes water vapour from air, nitrogen that remains has greater mass therefore air has greater density than when water vapour was present. When air temp falls, air particles move slower and come closer together increasing air density

95
Q

Explain effect of aerosol particles on solar radiation

A

Aerosol particles can scatter and absorb solar radiation. Different types of aerosol react differently when hit by sunlight.

96
Q

What is atmospheric circulation

A

The large scale movement of air masses and the way in which heat energy is distributed around the surface of the earth

97
Q

What is the main driver of atmospheric circulation?

A

Unequal heating of the earths surface. Air above equator receives more heat than poles it becomes less dense and rises until reaches tropopause where spreads and moves towards the poles. Cold dense air from poles sinks and moves towards the equator to replace warm air that has risen

98
Q

What wind belts are created as a result of Hadley cells?

A

Trade winds

99
Q

What wind belts are created as a result of ferrel cells?

A

Westerlies

100
Q

What wind belts are created as a result of Polar cells?

A

Easterlies

101
Q

Pacific Ocean cell

A

An entirely ocean based cell that’s occurs as a result of marked difference in surface pressures and temps between Easter and Western Pacific Ocean

102
Q

Motion of air in Pacific Ocean cell

A

Trade winds blow air east to west across tropical Pacific Ocean

103
Q

Two phenomena that occur when walker circulation changes

A

El Niño- trade winds weaken and warm water flows towards Eastern pacific
La Niña- trade winds strengthen causing water in Eastern pacific to be colder than normal

104
Q

What is pro graphic lifting?

A

Movement of air up and over a mountain or ridge, causing air to cool as it rises.

105
Q

Why is water essential part of earths system?

A

Covers more than 70% earths surface.
Can exist in gaseous, liquid and solid form within narrow range of temp.
Needed by all living things.
Regulates earths temp.

106
Q

Four key processes in water cycle

A

Evaporation, condensation, transpiration, precipitation

107
Q

What is the source of energy that drives the water cycle?

A

The Sun

108
Q

How is water added to the atmosphere

A

Evaporation- solar energy causes water to evaporate from at/near earths surface
Transpiration- evaporation through plant membranes

109
Q

Explain the link between the oceans and atmosphere in the water cycle

A

Oceans act as an abundant water source for the atmosphere

110
Q

Explain the role of the atmosphere in the carbon cycle

A

Atmosphere major (though small) carbon reservoir for earth acting as both a source and a sink for carbon

111
Q

What is a carbon flux

A

Any movement between carbon reservoirs

112
Q

Difference between biological and physical pumps in carbon cycle

A

Biological pumps- relate to living things eg. Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition
Physical pump- does not involve living things eg. Combustion, geological processes, atmosphere exchange

Earth And Space 2 (2 decks)

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