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Envirionmental Science 101 > Climate Vs Weather > Flashcards

Climate Vs Weather Flashcards

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0
Q

What is climate

A

The atmospheric conditions of a large region over long periods of time.

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1
Q

What is weather

A

The atmospheric conditions of a small region over a short period of time.

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2
Q

What are the climate conditions

A

Temperature
Precipitation
Humidity(moist air)
Winds

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3
Q

Is the climate on our planet stable

A

No

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4
Q

Climate varies by

A

Location

Through time

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5
Q

Earths climate is determined by

A

The interaction of many components

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6
Q

Earths Interactions include

A

Feedback loops

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7
Q

What are positive feedback loops

A

Changes that reinforce or accelerate the original system

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8
Q

What are negative feedback loops

A

Changes that slow down the original system

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9
Q

What are resultant global climate

A

A mix of positive and negative feedback loops

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10
Q

What is malankovitch cycles

A

Variations in earths orbital characteristics

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11
Q

Plate tectonics

A

Position of the continents

Volcanic activity

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12
Q

Insolation does what

A

Effects the amount of sunlight absorbed and reflected back into space

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13
Q

What is sunspot activity

A

Increases in solar output by the sun

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14
Q

Milankovitch cycle:

A

Eccentricity
Obliquity
Precession

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15
Q

What is Eccentricity

A

Changes in earths orbital shape.
(Spherical versus elliptical)
-varies: 100,000 years

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16
Q

What is obliquity

A

Tilt of the. Earths axis
Ranges from 22f to 24.5f
Varies: 40,000 years

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17
Q

What is precession

A

Tendency of the earths axis to wobble on space (wobble when slows)
Effects timing of seasons
Varies; 23,000 yrs

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18
Q

What are solstices

A

Position of the sun relative to C. E.

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19
Q

What are the two solstice

A

Summer solstice

Winter solstice

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20
Q

What is summer solar solstice

A

The sun is at its highest point.

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21
Q

What is winter solstice

A

The sun is at its lowest point

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22
Q

What are equinoxes

A

Day and night are same length

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23
Q

Continents have moved since

A

Precambrian

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24
Q

Constantly shifting continents

A

Alter atmospheric and oceanic circulation

25
Q

What is paleoclimatology

A

Study of past climates using various proxy data

26
Q

Proxy data includes

A

Tree rings
Pollen
Rock or sediment record

27
Q

What is Dendroclimatology

A

Using features of the rings (width, density) to determine past climates
-extends: 9000years

28
Q

Greenhouse effect occurs when

A

The presence of greenhouse gases trap the extra heat energy, preventing it from escaping the earths atmosphere

29
Q

Natural sources

A

Water(h20)
Methane(ch4)
Ozone(03)
Carbon dioxide (Co2)

30
Q

Anthropogenic sources

A

Carbon dioxide
Nitrous oxide(n20)
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)

31
Q

Global warming

A

Overall increase in the average temperature of earths near-surface air & oceans since the industrial revolution

32
Q

Global surface temp in 20th century and projected rise over the next century

A

1f 20th century

1.6-3.4f over next century

33
Q

Effects of global warming

A

Melting of polar ice sheets (Greenland & Antarctica) and alpine glaciers

  • overall rise in sea level (create severe coastal flooding)
  • changes in the hydrologic cycle(change in evaporation & precipitation levels)
34
Q

Albedo decreases when

A

As more ice is lost

-leads to more absorption of solar energy which will lead to warmer temperatures

35
Q

Effects of warming of Antarctica

A

Western Antarctica is one of the fastest warming areas on earth

36
Q

What are greenhouse gases

A

Trapped reflected infrared radiation from the earths surface

37
Q

During periods of cooling

A

Precipitation and therefore glacial ice is enriched in lighter isotopes

Lighter isotopes: 16O

38
Q

During warmer periods

A

The lighter isotopes 16O is released from glacial ice through melting

39
Q

Other ways to relate climate conditions (other than dendroclimatology)

A

By use of the abundance of species present of pollen from flowers, trees and other plants.

40
Q

Massive Volcanic activity happens when

A

During times within geologic past plate movement creates massive volcanic activity

41
Q

Can volcanoes add tremendous heat to atmosphere

A

Yes

42
Q

Volcanic eruptions give off what greenhouse gasses

A

CO2

SO2

43
Q

What is the hydrologic cycle

A

Changes in evaporation & precipitation levels

44
Q

What are changes in oceanic circulation

A

Alter heat transport across the globe

45
Q

What increases severity of storms(hurricanes)

A

Changes in weather

46
Q

Since the industrial revolution humans have added

A

40% more CO2 in the atmosphere

47
Q

Man made greenhouse gasses does what to those produced by natural source

A

Dwarf

48
Q

What are greenhouse gases

A

Trapped reflected infrared radiation from the earths surface

49
Q

During periods of cooling

A

Precipitation and therefore glacial ice is enriched in lighter isotopes

Lighter isotopes: 16O

50
Q

During warmer periods

A

The lighter isotopes 16O is released from glacial ice through melting

51
Q

Other ways to relate climate conditions (other than dendroclimatology)

A

By use of the abundance of species present of pollen from flowers, trees and other plants.

52
Q

Massive Volcanic activity happens when

A

During times within geologic past plate movement creates massive volcanic activity

53
Q

Can volcanoes add tremendous heat to atmosphere

A

Yes

54
Q

Volcanic eruptions give off what greenhouse gasses

A

CO2

SO2

55
Q

What is the hydrologic cycle

A

Changes in evaporation & precipitation levels

56
Q

What are changes in oceanic circulation

A

Alter heat transport across the globe

57
Q

What increases severity of storms(hurricanes)

A

Changes in weather

58
Q

Since the industrial revolution humans have added

A

40% more CO2 in the atmosphere

59
Q

Man made greenhouse gasses does what to those produced by natural source

A

Dwarf

Envirionmental Science 101 (12 decks)

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