Climate Flashcards
How do you measure climate through Ice cores
Tiny air bubbles that have been trapped for thousands of centuries and can be tested for various gases
How do you measure climate through tree rings
The thickness of a tree ring indicates the growing conditions
How do you know if the growing conditions of a tree were good or bad
Warm and wet means thicker rings
How do you measure climate through coral reefs
They have layers of growth each season and gives clues about temperature of the ocean
Is earth a closed system?
No
How is earth powered?
By the sun
When radiation contacts a particle of matter, what three things may occur?
- The radiation may be ABSORBED by the particles, causing the particles to gain energy
- Radiation may be TRANSMITTED through the particle
- Radiation may be REFLECTED off the particle
What is an example that can do all three?
Water
How much solar energy reaches the earth
70%
If 70% of solar energy that reaches Earth some sort, why doesn’t earth heat up tremendously
As the earth surface warms up it gains thermal energy and they converts it into low energy infrared radiation
The amount of energy radiated by earths system is equal to the amount of energy earths system absorbed from the sun
And because of this balance, the gloves temperature stays pretty consistent
What is the equilibrium
The balance between energy absorbed from the sun and energy emitted from earth
Without a climate system, would the earth still reach an energy equilibrium?
Yes but it would be much colder
How does the green house effect contributes to the earth not being so cold?
Because it provides sort of a barrier that keeps heat in???? CHECK
What triggers changes in climate?
The earths energy balance (if the sun is absorbed differently, climate changes)
What is the continental drift?
When continents move, over and wind patterns change causing changes in climate
What happens as mountain ranges form?
Regional climate change
How does late bodies of water effect climate in regions?
When surrounded by larger bodies of water you get a moderate climate (SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE) and when you have fewer, you get harsher winters and hotter summers ( NORTHERN HEMISPHERE)
What is a negative feedback loop?
Self-regulating system that works to maintain stability. The response to a stimulus minimizes the stimulus
Give and example of a neg feedback loop
CO2
What is positive feedback loop
Changes in the system results In more changes int be system and was stability. A produces more of B which in turn produces more of A
What is albedo
A measure of how much of the Suns radiation is reflected by a surface (related to % of radiation reflected)
What is the albedo effect?
An increase in the earths temperature causes ice to melt, so more radiation is absorbed by earths surface, leading to a further increase in temperature
What type of feedback loop I the albedo effect?
Positive feebback loop
In terms of climate, what is considered a short period of time?
FIND