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Envirionmental Science 101 > Climate Vs Weather > Flashcards

Climate Vs Weather Flashcards

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
Constantly shifting continents
Alter atmospheric and oceanic circulation
25
What is paleoclimatology
Study of past climates using various proxy data
26
Proxy data includes
Tree rings Pollen Rock or sediment record
27
What is Dendroclimatology
Using features of the rings (width, density) to determine past climates -extends: 9000years
28
Greenhouse effect occurs when
The presence of greenhouse gases trap the extra heat energy, preventing it from escaping the earths atmosphere
29
Natural sources
Water(h20) Methane(ch4) Ozone(03) Carbon dioxide (Co2)
30
Anthropogenic sources
Carbon dioxide Nitrous oxide(n20) CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)
31
Global warming
Overall increase in the average temperature of earths near-surface air & oceans since the industrial revolution
32
Global surface temp in 20th century and projected rise over the next century
1f 20th century | 1.6-3.4f over next century
33
Effects of global warming
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
Albedo decreases when
As more ice is lost | -leads to more absorption of solar energy which will lead to warmer temperatures
35
Effects of warming of Antarctica
Western Antarctica is one of the fastest warming areas on earth
36
What are greenhouse gases
Trapped reflected infrared radiation from the earths surface
37
During periods of cooling
Precipitation and therefore glacial ice is enriched in lighter isotopes Lighter isotopes: 16O
38
During warmer periods
The lighter isotopes 16O is released from glacial ice through melting
39
Other ways to relate climate conditions (other than dendroclimatology)
By use of the abundance of species present of pollen from flowers, trees and other plants.
40
Massive Volcanic activity happens when
During times within geologic past plate movement creates massive volcanic activity
41
Can volcanoes add tremendous heat to atmosphere
Yes
42
Volcanic eruptions give off what greenhouse gasses
CO2 | SO2
43
What is the hydrologic cycle
Changes in evaporation & precipitation levels
44
What are changes in oceanic circulation
Alter heat transport across the globe
45
What increases severity of storms(hurricanes)
Changes in weather
46
Since the industrial revolution humans have added
40% more CO2 in the atmosphere
47
Man made greenhouse gasses does what to those produced by natural source
Dwarf
48
What are greenhouse gases
Trapped reflected infrared radiation from the earths surface
49
During periods of cooling
Precipitation and therefore glacial ice is enriched in lighter isotopes Lighter isotopes: 16O
50
During warmer periods
The lighter isotopes 16O is released from glacial ice through melting
51
Other ways to relate climate conditions (other than dendroclimatology)
By use of the abundance of species present of pollen from flowers, trees and other plants.
52
Massive Volcanic activity happens when
During times within geologic past plate movement creates massive volcanic activity
53
Can volcanoes add tremendous heat to atmosphere
Yes
54
Volcanic eruptions give off what greenhouse gasses
CO2 | SO2
55
What is the hydrologic cycle
Changes in evaporation & precipitation levels
56
What are changes in oceanic circulation
Alter heat transport across the globe
57
What increases severity of storms(hurricanes)
Changes in weather
58
Since the industrial revolution humans have added
40% more CO2 in the atmosphere
59
Man made greenhouse gasses does what to those produced by natural source
Dwarf

Envirionmental Science 101 (12 decks)

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