Earth And Space Exam Review Flashcards
Ecozone-
An area that has developed over a long time and is separated by geological features like oceans, mountains, deserts
Eco region-
Are smaller subdivisions of Eco zones that is characterized by local landforms such as plains, lakes and rivers
Radiation-
Transfer of energy by means of electromagnetic waves, no particles required
Convection-
Transfer of energy through the collision of particles IN A FLUID
Conduction-
Transfer of energy through collision of particles
Anthropogenic greenhouse effect-
The increased capacity of the atmosphere to absorb and prevent the escape of thermal energy because of an increase in greenhouse gases
Climate change-
A significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years
Global warming-
An increase in global average temperature, largest indicator of climate change
Ecological footprint-
The impact an individual has on the environment through energy consumption, waste, and land use
Albedo-
Determines whether solar thermal energy is absorbed or reflected
Heat sink-
The ability to absorb energy and become warmer
Heat capacity-
The amount of heat a substance required to increase its temperature by 1°C
Weather vs climate
Weather – the current conditions of the atmosphere in a specific place at a specific time
Climate – the patterns of weather conditions within a region averaged over a long period of time
Climate zones –
Regions with similar weather conditions, earth has three regions based on latitude
Negative and positive feedback loop
Positive – acts to increase the effects that caused it
Negative – act to decrease the effects that caused it
Greenhouse effect –
Process in which certain gases in the atmosphere absorb heat from the sun and heat radiated from the Earth surface
Discovering past climates, tree rings, ice cores, fossils
Tree rings – provide records of climate changes, dating back to no more than a few hundred years, as trees grow. They add two new layers of wood under its bark each year.
Ice core – long cylinder of ice obtained by drilling into a glacier, each year a new layer of ice is deposited
Fossil – the remains or traces of a once living organism
How climate change affects aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
Aquatic – melting sea ice, new food chains, warmer oceans, rising sea levels, more violent storms
Terrestrial – changing organisms, melting land ice, more flooding, effects on human health
Present climate and predicting future climate
Present:
Weather balloons- measure temperature, pressure and humidity at different altitudes
Radar– detect precipitation forming inside of clouds
Satellites – monitors changing conditions on land and in the air and oceans
Predicting future climate:
Global climate model – computer program that uses mathematical equations to help scientists understand and estimate changes in earths climate
