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Geography > Climatology > Flashcards

Climatology Flashcards

0
Q

What is weather

A

The conditions of the atmosphere at any place over a limited period of time

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1
Q

What is the atmosphere

A

A layer of gas that surrounds the earth

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2
Q

What is Climate

A

The atmospheric condition of an area measured over an extended period of time over 20 years

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3
Q

Why is the atmosphere essential for life

A 
It has essential gasses 
Shields us from intense heat 
Transfers energy 
Regulates temperature 
Causes water processes
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4
Q

Name the permanent gasses in atmosphere

A

Nitrogen , oxygen , Argon

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5
Q

What is the purpose of nitrogen and oxygen

A

Nitrogen:plant growth
Oxygen:photosynthesis

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6
Q

What are variable gasses ?

A

Gases that vary from place to place and from time to time

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7
Q

Name the 2 most important variable gasses

A

Carbon dioxibe , water vapour

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8
Q

What do variable gasses do

A

Influence climatic processes

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9
Q

Give 3 examples of microscopic solid particles

A

Dust , salt , smoke

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10
Q

What do microscopic solid particles do

A

Influence raindrop formation and the greenhouse effect

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11
Q

How thick is the atmosphere

A

335km thick

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12
Q

Where are the first 90% of gasses found in the atmosphere

A

In the first 20km

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13
Q

What are the layers of the atmosphere separated by

A

Transition layers

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14
Q

Name all the parts of the atmosphere in increasing altitude

A

Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere

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15
Q

Name the height of the layers of the atmosphere

A

Troposphere: poles :8-10km equator: 18km
Stratosphere: up to 50 km ,
Mesosphere :80km
Thermosphere : +- 80km

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16
Q

Temperature of atmospheric layers

A

Troposphere : decrease with height to -50
Stratosphere :increases with height to 0
Mesosphere : decrease with height to -90
Thermosphere : increases with height to 1500

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17
Q

Characteristics of atmospheric layers

A

Troposphere: active weather , clouds and dust present

Stratosphere: ozone absorbs ultraviolet rays , wind speeds increase with height

Mesosphere: no water vapour , clouds or dust , high wind speeds

Thermosphere: shield earth from lethal high energy radiation

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18
Q

What is used to measure wind speed and give measurement

A

Anemometer , knots

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19
Q

What is used to measure air pressure and state unit of measurement

A

Barometer , hectopascals

20
Q

What is insulation

A

Incoming solar radiation

21
Q

What is Terrestrial radiation

A

The heat given off by the earths surface

22
Q

Name 3 ways from which heat from the sun is transferred

A

Radiation
Conduction
Convection

23
Q

What is radiation

A

Heat transferred through electromagnetic waves

24
Q

What is Conduction

A

Transfer of heat in solids when stationary molecules touch

25
Q

What is Convection

A

Transfer of heat in gasses through movement in molecules

26
Q

What is advection

A

Vertical movement

27
Q

What is convection

A

Horizontal movement

28
Q

Name 3 ways insolation is reduced

A

Scattering , reflection and absorbtion (S.A.R)

29
Q

How is the atmosphere warmed

A

The atmosphere is warmed by the earth

30
Q

What is the greenhouse effect

A

When water vapor and carbon dioxide absorb and reflect heat , preventing it from escaping

31
Q

What is radiant energy

A

Solar energy emitted by the sun as short waves

32
Q

How much of radiant energy reaches earths surface

A

Only half

33
Q

What is solar constant

A

Amount of radiant energy reaching the troposphere

34
Q

Name the greenhouse gasses

A

Carbon dioxide , water vapour , ozone , methane , cfc,s and nitrous oxide

35
Q

What is global warming

A

When the levels of greenhouse gasses are increasing in the atmosphere and raise the earths average temperature

36
Q

Name factors affecting temperature along a horizontal

A

Latitude , relief , distance from sea , ocean currents , influence of winds ,

37
Q

What is aspect

A

The direction an object is facing

38
Q

What holds more water vapour , warm or cold air ?

A

Warm

39
Q

What is humidity

A

Amount of water vapour in the air

40
Q

What determines amount of water vapour in air

A

Temperature

41
Q

What is saturated air

A

Air that can hold no more water vapour

42
Q

What is unsaturated air

A

Air that has water vapour but can hold more

43
Q

When does condensation occur

A

At dew point

44
Q

What is relative humidity

A

Amount of water vapour in the air divided by max amount of water vapour the air can hold at that temperature times 100

45
Q

What is used to measure humidity

A

Wet and dry bulb thermometer

46
Q

What is dew point

A

The temperature at which a specific volume of air will condense

47
Q

What determines dew point

A

Amount of water vapour in the air

Geography (2 decks)

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