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A Level Environmental Science > Energy Processes in the Atmosphere > Flashcards

Energy Processes in the Atmosphere Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the atmosphere?

A

The layer of gases surrounding the Earth which are held in place by gravity

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2
Q

Which gases make up the atmosphere?

A
  • Nitrogen (78%)
  • Oxygen (21%)
  • Argon (0.9%)
  • Other gases (0.1%)
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3
Q

Which 2 natural processes contribute the most to atmospheric gases?

A
  • Photosynthesis
  • Aerobic respiration
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4
Q

What does dynamic equilibrium mean in the atmosphere?

A

Inputs and outputs are balanced which maintains average atmospheric composition

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5
Q

What are the 4 layers of the atmosphere?

A
  • Troposphere
  • Stratosphere
  • Mesosphere
  • Thermosphere
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6
Q

What are the 3 boundaries between the layers of the atmosphere called?

A
  • Tropopause
  • Stratopause
  • Mesopause
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7
Q

What is the altitude of the troposphere above the Earth’s surface?

A

0-10km

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8
Q

What is the altitude of the stratosphere above the Earth’s surface?

A

10-50km

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9
Q

What is the altitude of the mesosphere above the Earth’s surface?

A

50-80km

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10
Q

What is the altitude of the thermosphere above the Earth’s surface?

A

80-300km

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11
Q

What happens to temperature as altitude is increased in the troposphere?

A

Decreases

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12
Q

What happens to temperature as altitude is increased in the stratosphere?

A

Increases

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13
Q

What happens to temperature as altitude is increased in the mesosphere?

A

Decreases

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14
Q

What happens to temperature as altitude is increased in the thermosphere?

A

Increases

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15
Q

Why is the atmosphere divided into 4 layers?

A

They consist of different temperature gradients

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16
Q

Why does tropospheric temperature decrease with height?

A

Solar radiation is absorbed and re-emitted by Earth’s surface which warms the lower part but not the upper part of the troposphere

17
Q

Why does stratospheric temperature increase with height?

A

The ozone layer heats the stratosphere as it absorbs UV radiation

18
Q

Why does mesospheric temperature decrease with height?

A

There are less molecules per unit volume which means less solar radiation is absorbed as altitude increases

19
Q

What is ozone?

A

A colourless gas that naturally occurs in the stratosphere

20
Q

What happens to air density and pressure as altitude is increased?

A

Both decrease

21
Q

How does the atmosphere support life?

A
  • Provides gaseous resources
  • Absorbs solar radiation
  • Greenhouse effect
  • Heat distribution
  • Ocean currents
22
Q

What is insolation?

A

Incoming solar radiation

23
Q

What is albedo?

A

The measure of how reflective a surface is

24
Q

How much solar radiation does ice reflect on average?

A

95%

25
Q

What are the 3 types of solar radiation that reach Earth?

A
  • Infrared radiation
  • Visible light
  • UV radiation
26
Q

How is the solar radiation that reaches Earth divided?

A
  • Infrared (49%)
  • Visible (44%)
  • UV (7%)
27
Q

Which type of solar radiation has the shortest wavelength?

A

UV

28
Q

Which type of solar radiation has the longest wavelength?

A

Infrared

29
Q

How is heat transferred in the atmosphere?

A

Conduction and convection

30
Q

What is conduction?

A

Energy transferred through direct contact

31
Q

What is convection?

A

Energy transferred as warm air rises and cool air sinks

32
Q

How much insolation is filtered out by the atmosphere?

A

50%

33
Q

What happens to insolation that reaches Earth’s surface?

A

Absorbed and warms the surface (97%)

34
Q

What happens to the rest of the insolation that isn’t absorbed when it reaches Earth’s surface?

A

Reflected back into the atmosphere as heat (3%)

35
Q

How much UV makes it to Earth’s surface?

A

5%

36
Q

How much visible light makes it to Earth’s surface?

A

99%

37
Q

How much infrared makes it to Earth’s surface?

A

50%

38
Q

What is Earth’s energy budget?

A

The difference between energy entering and exiting the atmosphere

A Level Environmental Science (22 decks)

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