climate Flashcards
Solar Energy or Radiant Energy
Energy emitted ( produce ) from the sun
Solar/ Radiant Energy form in waves
Electromagnetic waves
Types of electromagnetic waves
Microwave, infrared, UV, Xrays, gamma rays
3 types of electromagnetic waves that can reach the earth
visible light radiation, thermal infrared radiation, UV rays
visible light
energy we can see
thermal infrared light
energy felt as heat
3 components of the biosphere
Hydrosphere ( water ), Lithosphere ( Land ), Atmosphere ( air )
Infrared light is converted into what?
Kinetic energy. ( More heat = more kinetic energy )
Albedo
how much radiation is being reflected back to outer space
greenhouse effect
trapping suns warmth
Enhanced greenhouse effect
increase on the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
how is the enhance greenhouse effect harmful to the planet?
It straps more heat on earth
Net Radiation Budget
Balance between incoming and out coming energy on earth
The amount of energy earth receives depend on what?
Location on Earth, Tilt of the earth, Shape of the planet
Angle of inclination
degree which earths poles are tilted from the plane of its orbit around the sun
hemisphere tilted towards the sun
summer
hemisphere tilted away from the sun
winter
Specific heat capacity
Energy required to raise the temp. of 1g of a substance by one degree.
3 methods of heat transfer
Conduction ( transfer through direct contact )
Convection ( transfer through movements of particles in currents)
Radiation ( transfer through waves )
How is thermal energy transferred around the planet in the atmosphere?
wind patterns
How is thermal energy transferee around the planet in the hydrosphere?
Ocean Patterns
Thermohaline
difference in temp and how salty the water is
What effect to ocean currents have on the earths climate?
Ocean currents the heat from warm areas to cold areas
Coriolis effect, how does it alter wind/ ocean patterns?
Caused by the rotation of earth . cause the wind patterns to curve towards the rotation of the earth.
Biome
naturally occurring community of plants and animals occupying in a major habitat.
Types of biomes
Tundra, Taiga, Temperate Desiduous Forest, Grasslands, Desert, Rainforest
Climatograph
Shows the yearly precipitation and temperature in a certain area.
Negative effects of climate change
Slows ocean/ wind patterns
Glaciers melting
Rising sea levels
