Ch 28 Flashcards
a layer extending an average of 12 km above Earth’s surface
troposphere
occurs when air temperature increases with altitude and the air becomes stable
temperature inversion
certain gases in the atmosphere warm the planet as they absorb and emit infrared radiation
greenhouse effect
How are the atmosphereic layers divided?
the difference between composition and temperature
what gas makes up the majority of the atmosphere?
nitrogen 78%
which gas makes up 21% of the atmosphere?
oxygen
What is the remaining 1% in the atmosphere made up of?
trace gases
What is the majority of that 1% ?
argon
Within the troposphere does temperature increase or decrease with altitude?
decreases
How many layers are there in the atmosphere?
5 layers
What are the names of the layers closest to earth’s surface going up?
troposhpere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere
which layer is the ozone layer found in?
stratosphere
With in the stratosphere does temperature increase or decrease with altitude?
increases
with in the mesosphere does temperature increase or decrease?
The lower mesosphere decreases the higher mesosphere increases
Do the thermosphere and the exosphere impact weather?
no
Where does 100% of our solar radiation come from?
the sun
What percent of solar radiation is absorbed by earths surface?
50%
What percent of solar radiation is reflected off of earth’s surface?
5%
What percent of solar radiation is absorbed by particles in the atmosphere?
20%
What percent of solar radiation is reflected by particles in the atmosphere?
25%
What are the 3 basic cloud types?
cirrus, cumulus, stratus
describe stratus clouds
layered sheet like clouds
describe cumulus clouds
puffy shape
describe cirrus clouds
wispy at high altitudes
What is the process called where water leaves earth’s surface and comes back down?
the water cycle
what are the names of each process of the water cycle?
Evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, run off, infiltration
a narrow band of fast-moving, high altitude air
jet stream
apparent effect of an object due to earths rotation
coriolis effect
a large volume of air with uniform moisture and temperature through out
air mass
where air masses interact?
weather fronts
how many jet streams are there in the world?
4
How many pressure systems are there?
2
what is a low pressure system know as?
low(L)
which direction does a low rotate?
counter clockwise
What are some results of low pressure systems?
air rises. clouds form, creates precipitation
what is a high pressure system known as?
high(H)
which direction does a high pressure system rotate?
clockwise
what is a result of a high pressure system?
air sinks causing clear skies
what are the four weather fronts?
cold, warm, stationary, occluded
How are cold fronts created?
cold air forces warm air up in a fast and chaotic manner
How are cold fronts represented on a weather forecast?
blue triangles
How are warm fronts created?
warm air rises gently above cold air
How are warm fronts represented on a weather forecast?
red half circles
How are stationary fronts created?
cold and warm air masses meet and neither front advances
How are stationary fronts represented on the forecast?
alternating red half circles on top and blue triangles on bottom
How are occluded fronts created?
fast moving cold front overtakes a slow warm front
How are occluded fronts represented on a forecast?
purple half circles and triangles all facing upward
climate much modified by oceanic influences
Marimite climate
relatively dry climate with very hot summers and very cold winters
continental climate
breeze blowing toward the land from the sea
sea breeze
what is a climate?
long-term average of weather conditions
What are the five spheres that interact to create the environments we live in?
atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and lithosphere
what is the atmosphere consist of?
the air around us
what is the biosphere consist of?
everything organic
what is the hydrosphere consist of?
liquid water
what is the cryosphere consist of?
frozen water in snow, ice, and glaciers
what is the lithosphere consist of?
Earth’s outermost layer
What are the three factors that affect climate?
primarily latitude, intensity of solar radiation, winds, the proximity to the oceans and mountains
what factors determine climate?
temperature
what factors determine climate?
ocean and land
what factors determine climate?
percipitation
what factors determine climate?
mountains
what factors determine climate?
water
types of climates?
cold or boreal, arid and semi-arid and warm climates with adequate percipitation
a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere
global warming
trade winds in the pacific are unusually strong
La Nina
warming of the pacific ocean
El Nino
What are two changes that earths climate undergoes?
seasonal and long term
how do seasonal changes occur?
seasons happen by how earth revolves around the sun
which hemisphere experiences summer?
the hemisphere tilted towards the sun
are we closer to the sun during winter or further away?
further
what is the period of time called where most of earths surface is covered in ice?
Ice age
How long ago did the earths climate reach its current pattern?
3,000 years ago
What are some factors that can cause climate change?
a change in earths tilt
a change in earths orbit
distance from the sun
How can humans impact climate change?
energy consumption
deforestation
industrial practices
agriculture practices
what is deforestation?
clearing of large areas of forests
a round three dimensional object
Sphere
elongated, closed curve with two foci
Ellipse
is earth a perfect sphere?
the diameter around the equator is further from pole to pole
What are some anctient observation prove that earth is a sphere
any object that falls falls straight down
earths shadow on the moon is curved
people don’t see the same stars
