Climatology

Question 1

Lapse rate definition

Answer 1

Change in temperature with height.

Question 2

Pause definition

Answer 2

Transition moving from one state to another when the temperature remains stable.

Question 3

Permanent gasses

Answer 3

A gas which is believed is incapable of becoming liquified. I.e.: hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon monoxide.

Question 4

Variable gasses.

Answer 4

Concentration changes from place to place and time to time. I.e.: CO2, water vapor and O3. It is solid particles which consists of microscopic/ hygroscopic nuclei.
I.e.: dust, smoke and ash.

Question 5

The importance of the atmosphere. (5)

Answer 5

Whether and climate only found in atmosphere.
Global air circulation i.e. Wind. ( also ocean currents)
Absorbs dangerous radiation i.e. X rays and UV rays ( ozone: O3).
Moderates the temperature of the planet. (through winds)
Provides gasses which are essential for life i.e. Oxygen and water.

Question 6

Ozone production in the stratosphere.

Answer 6

Sunlight destroys oxygen molecule and splits them into two atoms. There are some oxygen molecule that still remain. The oxygen atoms that were split now join the oxygen molecule that survived to form O3.

Question 7

Effects of O3 depletion. (5)

Answer 7

Greater risk of skin cancer.
Negative effect on human immune system.
Negative effects on plants therefor decrease in crop yield. More chance of famine.
Environmental: earths temperature increasing ( global warming).

Question 8

Solution to O3.

Answer 8

Ban CFC (chloro fluro Carbon) and HFC.

Question 9

Albedo definition.

Answer 9

The amount of heat absorbed compared wi hit eh amount of heat the is reflected. Tar has low albedo. Snow has high albedo.

Question 10

Insolation.

Answer 10

Incoming solar radiation (short wave length) heats up earths surface.

Question 11

LWTR.

Answer 11

Long wave terrestrial radiation. Responsible for heating of the atmosphere.

Question 12

What 3 things can account for the 54% reduction in the atmosphere?

Answer 12

Absorption, reflection and scattering.

Question 13

Reflection.

Answer 13

The opposite of absorption. Insolation is redirected back into the the atmosphere, mostly by clouds.

Question 14

Scattering.

Answer 14

Small particles and gas particles diffuse (scatter) the insolation. Scattering reduces the amount of insolation and can result in some insolation returning to the atmosphere. Scattering is the reason our sky is blue.

Question 15

Absorption.

Answer 15

The process in which insolation is retained by a surface and converted into heat energy. The creation of heat energy causes the substance to emit its own radiation. The earth is an example of this. The earth is heated up and reradiates this energy into the atmosphere.

Question 16

Radiation.

Answer 16

The emission of energy from an object.

Question 17

Conduction.

Answer 17

The transfer of heat energy from one object to another. There has to be contact. Most effective in solids.

Question 18

Convection.

Answer 18

The transfer of heat energy by the vertical movement of air. Most effective in gasses and liquids.

Question 19

The greenhouse effect.

Answer 19

Naturally insolation heats the earth which in turn radiates LWTR. The atmosphere prevents some of the LWTR from escaping. The atmosphere heats up. People induced effect. Increase in pollution traps in heat. Increase in global temperature.

Question 20

Consequences of green house effect. (7)

Answer 20

1. Potential global warming.
2. Extinction of some flora and fauna.
3. Coral bleaching.
4. Increase in tropical diseases. (Mileria)
5. Decrease in glaciers and ice. Therefor rise in sea level.
6. Increase droughts.
7. Increase in fires.

Question 21

Altitude.

Answer 21

Refers to the height above sea level. The higher the altitude the lower the temperature (positive lapse rate). Th atmosphere consists of water vapor and other gasses which absorb heat from the sun. There is a higher concentration of atmospheric molecules due to the force of gravity hence most of the Suns heat is absorbed at or near sea level. The same atmospheric molecules are warmed by the heat radiated from the earths surface hence temperature is higher at lower altitudes.

Question 22

Cold and warm ocean current.

Answer 22

Cold Benguela current. Warm mocambique current.

Question 23

Structure of the atmosphere.

Answer 23

Troposphere: 10 km
Tropopause
Stratosphere: 40km
Stratopause 
Mesosphere: 50km
Mesopause 
Thermosphere: 300km