ENVIRONMENTAL FINAL - Unit 3 Flashcards
sun rays are directly on the ______ on 6/21
tropic of cancer
sun rays are directly on the _____ on 3/21 or 9/21
equator
sun rays are directly on ______ on 12/21
the tropic of capricorn
latitude
north and south of the equator
longitude
east and west of the prime meridian
both latitude and longitude are measured in ______ and one _____ is equal to __ miles
degrees; degree; 70
how does latitude effect warming on Earth
a) angle variation at which the rays of the sun strike the earth
b) variation in the amt of surface area over which the suns rays are distributed
c) some areas on earth reflect more solar energy than others (referred to albedo)
-the higher the albedo, the more sunlight reflects, the lesser absorption
average albedo on Earth is __%
30%
Layers of the atmosphere (bottom to top)
troposphere
stratosphere
mesosphere
thermosphere
exosphere
troposphere (1st)
most dense, weather takes place
stratosphere (2nd)
jet stream and ozone layer (protects from UV)
mesosphere (3rd)
coldest sphere
thermosphere (4th)
less dense layer
exosphere (5th)
least dense layer (hottest)
Windward side
left of the mountain, orographic lifting takes place (enhances/makes it rain/snow harder)
Leeward side
right of the mountain, where chinook winds (adiabatic heating) takes place. Te molecules consense, rising temperature
Storms in the northern hemisphere rotate __________ while storms in the southern hemisphere rotate _____. This is due to the ______________
counterclockwise; clockwise; coriolis effect
the coriolis effect affects
weather patterns, ocean currents, and airplanes
why does the coriolis effect occur
the low pressure zones and the fact that it spins faster at the equator (high rotation)
which of the following is true concerning adiabatic heating
most common on the leeward side of a mountain and involves the compressing of air molecules causing the air to warm
the rain shadow effect is responsible for
heavier precipitation on the windward side of a mountain enhanced by orographic lifting in the atmosphere
the only temperate forest in north america is located in
washington
carbon sequestration
the capture and storage of CO2 from the atmosphere
some strats for carbon sequestration
manage farms
restore forests
leave unconsumed plants/crops in soil
-add manure to expedite growth of crops
what does over pumping of groundwater often lead to
increased cases of drought
which is the best soil for agricultural development
loam
what is the effect of high level of clay in soil during agricultural growth
it is negative because the particles are so closely packed that it lowers the permeability of the soil
