Energy Processes in the Atmosphere Flashcards
What is the atmosphere?
The layer of gases surrounding the Earth which are held in place by gravity
Which gases make up the atmosphere?
- Nitrogen (78%)
- Oxygen (21%)
- Argon (0.9%)
- Other gases (0.1%)
Which 2 natural processes contribute the most to atmospheric gases?
- Photosynthesis
- Aerobic respiration
What does dynamic equilibrium mean in the atmosphere?
Inputs and outputs are balanced which maintains average atmospheric composition
What are the 4 layers of the atmosphere?
- Troposphere
- Stratosphere
- Mesosphere
- Thermosphere
What are the 3 boundaries between the layers of the atmosphere called?
- Tropopause
- Stratopause
- Mesopause
What is the altitude of the troposphere above the Earth’s surface?
0-10km
What is the altitude of the stratosphere above the Earth’s surface?
10-50km
What is the altitude of the mesosphere above the Earth’s surface?
50-80km
What is the altitude of the thermosphere above the Earth’s surface?
80-300km
What happens to temperature as altitude is increased in the troposphere?
Decreases
What happens to temperature as altitude is increased in the stratosphere?
Increases
What happens to temperature as altitude is increased in the mesosphere?
Decreases
What happens to temperature as altitude is increased in the thermosphere?
Increases
Why is the atmosphere divided into 4 layers?
They consist of different temperature gradients
Why does tropospheric temperature decrease with height?
Solar radiation is absorbed and re-emitted by Earth’s surface which warms the lower part but not the upper part of the troposphere
Why does stratospheric temperature increase with height?
The ozone layer heats the stratosphere as it absorbs UV radiation
What is ozone?
A colourless gas that naturally occurs in the stratosphere
What happens to air density and pressure as altitude is increased?
Both decrease
How does the atmosphere support life?
- Provides gaseous resources
- Absorbs solar radiation
- Greenhouse effect
- Heat distribution
- Ocean currents
What is insolation?
Incoming solar radiation
What is albedo?
The measure of how reflective a surface is
How much solar radiation does ice reflect on average?
95%
What are the 3 types of solar radiation that reach Earth?
- Infrared radiation
- Visible light
- UV radiation
How is the solar radiation that reaches Earth divided?
- Infrared (49%)
- Visible (44%)
- UV (7%)
Which type of solar radiation has the shortest wavelength?
UV
Which type of solar radiation has the longest wavelength?
Infrared
How is heat transferred in the atmosphere?
Conduction and convection
What is conduction?
Energy transferred through direct contact
What is convection?
Energy transferred as warm air rises and cool air sinks
How much insolation is filtered out by the atmosphere?
50%
What happens to insolation that reaches Earth’s surface?
Absorbed and warms the surface (97%)
What happens to the rest of the insolation that isn’t absorbed when it reaches Earth’s surface?
Reflected back into the atmosphere as heat (3%)
How much UV makes it to Earth’s surface?
5%
How much visible light makes it to Earth’s surface?
99%
How much infrared makes it to Earth’s surface?
50%
What is Earth’s energy budget?
The difference between energy entering and exiting the atmosphere
