chapter 2 Flashcards

1
Q

Weather

A

occurs at a specific place/time

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2
Q

Whether it is the combination of

A

temperature
humidity
precipitation
wind
cloudiness
any other atmospheric conditions

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3
Q

Climate

A

it is the long term local, regional, and global average pattern of weather

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4
Q

-Solar radiation is..
-Shorter wavelengths give…
-Longer wavelengths give…

A

-electromagnetic energy
-give higher energy
-give lower energy

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5
Q

-Albedo
-White sand results in
-Black sand results in

A

-reflectivity of a surface, some energy that reaches Earth is reflected back into space
-results in high albedo
-results in low albedo

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6
Q

Shortwave Radiation

A

incoming radiation from the sun

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7
Q

Terrestrial longwave radiation

A

some absorbed by the surface, and in turn emitted back into space

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8
Q

Greenhouse Gases

A

absorb longwave radiation
carbon dioxide
water vapor
methane

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9
Q

Greenhouse Effect

A

help to keep the surface of the Earth warm

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10
Q

Net radiation determines earth average=

A

-incoming solar (shortwave) radiation
-outgoing terrestrial (longwave) radiation
surface temp
zero

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11
Q

average annual surface net radiation equator vs. poles because of

A

higher at equator
lower at poles
angle of incidence
amount of atmosphere

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12
Q

Distinct pattern of global temperatures, poles and equator

A

cool, dry at poles
hot, moist at equator

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13
Q

Earths Orbit

A

one year for the Earth to orbit once around the sun

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14
Q

Earths Rotation

A

one day for the earth to rotate on its axis

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15
Q

Earths Tilt

A

axis has a tilt of 23.5

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16
Q

Equinoxes

A

“equal nights”
2 equinoxes each year
vernal (spring)
autumnal (fall)
sun is directly overhead at the equator
all places have 12 hours of darkness and 12 hours of light

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17
Q

Summer Solstice

A

June 22 longest day in N.H
Northern summer/Southern winter
Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun
Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer
N.H has longer days and warmer temp

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18
Q

Winter Solstice

A

Southern summer/Northern winter
S.H tilted towards the sun
sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn
Dec 22 shortest day in the NH

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19
Q

Seasonality equator vs poles

A

-regions at equator show very little seasonal variation in temperature
-regions at the poles show the most seasonal variation in a days length (0 to 24 hrs) and solar radiation

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20
Q

Surplus Radiation

A

incoming > outgoing radiation

21
Q

Deficit Radiation

A

outgoing > incoming radiation

22
Q

Imbalance results in global pattern of heat

A

mainly through convection

23
Q

Intertropical Convergence Zone

A

-warm air at equator rises leads to low pressure at surface
-air flows form N to S to the equator
-rising air at equator moves N and S
-towards poles it cools and sinks
-leads to high pressure at surface
-movement creates cells of circulation

24
Q

Speed of rotation is faster at the ________ and slower at the ________

A

-faster at the equator
-slower at the poles

25
Coriolis Effect
-NH deflection to the right -SH deflection to the left
26
Equator
-warm air rises -low pressure at surface (equatorial low) -results in: warm air rises, spreads north to south, and cools as it moves
27
Pa Hadley Cell
circle cell same as tropical convergenze zone
28
Trade Winds
deflected winds
29
Evaporation and Condensation
- requres energy -releases energy
30
Saturation vapor pressure (VP) -What capacity of air -If this is exceed what occurs
-water vapor capacity of air is the amount of pressure exerted by water vapor at saturation -if this exceeded, condensation occurs
31
Relative Humidity
current VP / saturation VP x 100
32
Near Equator
rising air masses of very warm, humid air cool and release precipitation very rainy
33
30 N and S
falling air masses of dry, cool air warm and absorb surface moisture, dry
34
50 to 60 N and S
rising air masses of warm, humid air at cool and release precipitation, rainy
35
More rain in ________ Hemisphere because of _______
-southern -greater ocean area
36
Maritime Influence
locations near the coat (oceans or large bodies of water) have smaller temperature fluctuations during the year and more precipitaiton
37
Continentality
locations far from the coast have greater temperature fluctuations during the year, up to 100
38
Altitude
air temperature decreases with elevation
39
Adiabatic Cooling
decrease in temperature due to expansion of air distinct belts of vegetations corresponding to latitude or altitude
40
Mountains can affect precipitation creates rain shadow on what side
when air mass flows into a mountain? -the air rises and cools -researches the dew point and precipitation occurs at higher altitudes -cool, dry air flows over and down the other side -warms as is descends so pulls moisture from the surface -creates a rain shadow on the leewards side
41
Rain Shadows
arid environments behind mountains Great Basin, Gobi Desert, Great Plains
42
Windward Side
higher rainfall plant growth more vigorous, trees
43
Leeward Side
lower rainfall plant growth less vigorous, shrubby
44
Not all climate patterns have regular temporal variation
little ice age el nino
45
What causes irregular variations in climate
changes in the shape of Earths orbit changes in the tilt of Earths axis variation in sunspot activity magnetic storms on the sun
46
Microclimates
organisms may experience conditions very different from the general climate conditions in an area
47
Southern Slopes
warmer, drier, xeric plants
48
Northern Slopes
cooler moister, mesic plants