Chapter 2 Flashcards
A measure of the ability of a solution to behave as an acid, a compound that releases protons (H+) to the water in which it is dissolved.
Acidity
The amount of solar radiation reflected by a surface, usually expressed as a percentage of the incoming solar radiation.
Albedo
A measure of the ability of a solution to behave as a base, a compound that takes up protons (H+) or releases hydroxide ions (OH–).
Alkalinity
The pressure exerted on a surface due to the mass of the atmosphere above it.
Atmospheric Pressure
The long-term description of weather, based on averages and variation measured over decades.
Climate
The transfer of sensible heat through the exchange of kinetic energy between molecules due to a temperature gradient.
Conduction
The climate typical of terrestrial areas in the middle of large continental land masses at high latitudes, characterized by high variation in seasonal temperatures.
Continental Climate
The transfer of sensible heat through the exchange of air and water molecules as they move from one area to another.
Convection
The apparent deflection of air or water currents when viewed from a rotating reference point such as Earth’s surface.
Coriolis Effect
An oscillation of pressure cells and sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean that causes widespread climatic variation and changes in upwelling currents.
El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
The warm surface layer of water in a lake, lying above the thermocline, that forms during the summer in some lakes of temperate and polar regions.
Epilimnion
The sum of water loss through evaporation and transpiration.
Evotranspiration
A large-scale, three-dimensional pattern of atmospheric circulation in each hemisphere, located at mid-latitudes between the Hadley and polar cells.
Ferrell Cell
Atmospheric gases that absorb and reradiate the infrared radiation emitted by Earth’s surface, including water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).
Greenhouse Gases
A large-scale, three-dimensional pattern of atmospheric circulation in each hemisphere in which air is uplifted at the equator and subsides at about 30° N and S.
Hadley Cell
The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a substance.
Heat Capacity
The densest, coldest water layer in a lake, lying below the thermocline.
Hypolimnion
Of or relating to a condition of oxygen depletion, usually below a level that can sustain most animals.
Hypoxic
The zone of maximum solar radiation, atmospheric uplift, and precipitation within the tropical zone.
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
The rate at which atmospheric temperature decreases with increasing distance from the ground.
Lapse Rate
Heat transfer associated with the phase change of water, such as evaporation, sublimation, or condensation.
Latent Heat Flux
The climate typical of coastal terrestrial regions that are influenced by an adjacent ocean, characterized by low daily and seasonal variation in temperature.
Maritime Climate
Cycles of regular change over thousands of years in the shape of Earth’s orbit, in the angle of tilt of its axis, and in its orientation toward other celestial bodies that change the intensity of solar radiation received by Earth.
Milankovitch cycles
An oscillation in atmospheric pressures and ocean currents in the North Atlantic Ocean that affects climatic variation in Europe, in northern Asia, and on the east coast of North America.
North Atlantic Oscillation
A long-term oscillation in sea surface temperatures and atmospheric pressures in the North Pacific Ocean that has widespread climatic effects.
Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)
A large-scale, three-dimensional pattern of atmospheric circulation in which air subsides at the poles, moves toward the equator when it reaches Earth’s surface, and is replaced by air moving through the upper atmosphere from lower latitudes.
Polar Cell
The major climatic zone above 60° N and S.
Polar Zone
The effect a mountain range has on regional climate by forcing moving air upward, causing it to cool and release precipitation on the windward slopes, resulting in lower levels of precipitation and soil moisture on the leeward slope.
Rain Shadow Effect
The concentration of dissolved salts in water.
Salinity
A process by which high rates of evapotranspiration in arid regions result in a progressive buildup of salts at the soil surface.
Salinization
The transfer of heat through the exchange of energy by conduction or convection.
Sensible Heat Flux
The layering of water in oceans and lakes due to differences in water temperature and density with depth.
Stratification
A sinking (downward) movement of air in the atmosphere, usually over a broad area, leading to the development of a high-pressure cell.
Subsidence
The major climatic zone between 30° and 60° N and S.
Temperate Zone
The zone of rapid temperature change in a lake beneath the epilimnion and above the hypolimnion.
Thermocline
The major climatic zone between 25° N and S, encompassing the equator.
Tropical Zone
(1) The mixing of the entire water column in a stratified lake when all the layers of water reach the same temperature and density. (2) The replacement of one species with another over time or space.
Turnover
The rising of warm, less–dense air in the atmosphere due to heating of Earth’s surface.
Uplift
The rising of deep ocean waters to the surface.
Upwelling
The temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and cloud cover at a particular time and place.
Weather
