Chapter 11- Heating The Earth

Question 1

How does the atmosphere influence the earth?

Answer 1

• it is the air we breathe
• it absorbs heat from the sun
• it retains heat at night
• it protects us from dangerous rays
• it is where weather is formed (the troposphere)

Question 2

How is the atmosphere heated?

Answer 2

1. The sun’s rays heat the earth

2. The earth then heats the air (atmosphere) around it

Question 3

What causes uneven heating of the atmosphere?

Answer 3

Uneven heating of the atmosphere is caused by the effects or latitude and tilt of the earth

Question 4

What are the different layers of atmosphere?

Answer 4

• Thermosphere
• Mesosphere
• Stratosphere
• Troposphere

Question 5

What are the causes of global warming?

Answer 5

• modern lifestyle: modern industrial is manufacturing more goods and making these goods requires large amounts of energy, therefore polluting the air
• waste: there is more household waste, more animal dung and greater acerage under paddy fields, which emits gases.
• trees: more trees are being cut down so they can’t clean the air.
• CFCs: there is an increase in CFCs due to greater use of plastic, aerosols and fridges
• fossil fuels: more coal, oil and gas are being burnt

Question 6

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 6

The earth’s atmosphere retains some of the energy from the sun.

Question 7

Why is global warming happening?

Answer 7

The greenhouse gases are increasing and they control the mount of heat being retained. The more they increase the more heat being retained so the earth is getting warmer.

Question 8

What are the effects of global warming?

Answer 8

• water shortages
• polar ice caps are melting and causing sea levels to rise
• tropical diseases
• more food; some countries get a milder climate
• deserification; the desert is spreading

Question 9

Effects of global warming on Ireland

Answer 9

• Rising tempatures in the summer.
• More rain in the winter with more storms.
• Sea levels will rise and some low-lying areas will be in danger of flooding.

Question 10

Solutions to global warming

Answer 10

• use more renewable energy
• reduce deforestation
• increase energy conservation in homes and businesses

Question 11

Define wind

Answer 11

Wind is air moving from high pressure areas to low pressure areas

Question 12

What is atmospheric pressure?

Answer 12

The weight of the air pressing down on the earth.

Question 13

What happens to air in low pressure areas?

Answer 13

Air warms and gets lighter so it ascends

Question 14

What happens in low pressure areas?

Answer 14

Air cools and is heavier so it descends

Question 15

What causes the global wind pattern?

Answer 15

• uneven heating of the earth; this creates high and low pressure areas
• The Coriolis effect; this deflects wind to the right of its direction in the northern hemisphere or left in the southern hemisphere

Question 16

How does uneven heating of the earth create a global wind pattern? PART 1

Answer 16

• along the equator there is a low pressure area. The sun heats the air and it rises.
• As the air rises it moves away from the equator and cools.
• At about 30°N the cooler air is heavy and it presses down. This creates a high pressure area.
• As the air presses down, it blows outwards along the surface of the earth, creating a wind.

Question 17

How does uneven heating of the earth create a global wind pattern? PART 2

Answer 17

• At the north pole there is a high pressure area. The area is cooler and the air is heavier, so it presses down on the surface of the north pole.
• The wind then blows outward along the surface from the high pressure area.
• At about 60°N latitude, the cooler air from the north begins to heat up. As it gets lighter an rises up it creates slow pressure area.

Question 18

How is the global wind system influened by the Coriolis effect?

Answer 18

-The Coriolis effect is caused by the spinning of the earth. Wind is deflected to the right of its direction in the northern hemisphere and to the left of its direction in the southern hemisphere.

Question 19

Define prevailing winds

Answer 19

Winds that blow regularly from one direction.

Question 20

Where do warm currents flow?

Answer 20

-warm currents flow from the equator towards the north or south pole

Question 21

Where do cold currents flow?

Answer 21

From the north or south poles to the equator

Question 22

What causes ocean currents?

Answer 22

• unequal heating of the earth

- prevailing winds

Question 23

How does unequal heating of the earth cause ocean currents?

Answer 23

It heats up the water near the equator so it rises to the north/south poles , then it cools and flows back towards the equator.

Question 24

How does prevailing winds cause ocean currents?

Answer 24

The winds drag along the surface water to form the current. Ocean currents follow the global wind pattern.

Question 25

What are the some currents in the north-atlantic and what tempature are they?

Answer 25

• the labrador current:cold
• the north atlantic drift:warm
• the canaries current:cold
• the gulf stream:warm

Question 26

What does the labrador current do?

Answer 26

This is a cold current that freezes habours along the canadian coast. It also brings icebergs into shipping lanes and causes fog.

Question 27

What does the north atlantic drift do?

Answer 27

It gives Ireland a mild winter and keeps Irish harbours ice free.

Question 28

What does the canaries current do?

Answer 28

It keeps the coast of africa dry and prevents rain in the sahara desert.

Question 29

What are the effects of ocean currents?

Answer 29

• in winter warm currents raise the tempature of the sea and land by raising the tempature of the air above the current. In Ireland the north atlantic drift provides warmer waters around our coast and warmer onshore winds. This means a milder winter and ice free ports unlike Canada which is at a similar latitude
• cold currents lower the tempature of the sea and land e.g Canada