Ch 7

Question 1

Weather

Answer 1

short term changes to conditions in the troposhpere on a particular date and time- changes in atmospheric pressure, precipitation, temp

Question 2

Climate

Answer 2

long term averages of weather data over decades, centuries, millennia, etc

Question 3

Greenhouse gases

Answer 3

warm the lower atmosphere- capture and reradiate solar energy
Human activity amplifies this effect

Question 4

3 major types of climate

Answer 4

Tropical- near equator, receive most sun
Polar- near poles, diffused angle of sunlight, less strong
Temperate- areas between tropical and polar- distinct seasons
Seasons occur because the earth is tilted on its axis- different places receive more or less solar radiation

Question 5

What factors influence an areas climate?

Answer 5

Solar energy
Earth’s isolation
Global patterns of air and water movement
Gases in atmosphere
Features on earth’s surface

Question 6

Solar energy

Answer 6

Uneven heating
Areas near equator receive the most direct angle of sunlight
Temperature
Convection

Question 7

Global patterns of air and water movement

Answer 7

Air currents create ocean currents, which distribute heat energy across the globe AND cycle nutrients (from the ocean currents carrying biomass)
“Global conveyor belt”
Rain shadow effect

Question 8

Temperature

Answer 8

Determined by angle of sun (solar angle of incidence is the angle that a ray of sunlight makes with a line perpendicular to the surface
Within a day, the earth rotates on its axis and the angle of incidence changes

Question 9

Convection

Answer 9

6 giant convection cells on the surface of our planet- air is warmed up, rises, then cools, condenses, and falls, then warms up again
transfer of energy due to convection cells- energy is released as the air cools down, as it rises there is less pressure
Once the air nears the ground, it must move either toward the poles or towards the equator

Question 10

Coriolis effect

Answer 10

causes air to veer right in the northern hemisphere and left in the southern hemisphere (relative to the direction of movement)– as the earth spins, air is deflected- different points on earth spin at different times

Question 11

How does the built environment alter climate?

Answer 11

Concrete, asphalt, etc reflect a lot more solar energy than natural green/ water areas

Question 12

How to mitigate urban heat island effect?

Answer 12

Increase tree and vegetation cover
Install green roofs
Install “cool roofs”