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Hank K > Environmental Science | Atmosphere > Flashcards

Environmental Science | Atmosphere Flashcards

1
Q

What is weather?

A

Weather is the mix of events that happen daily in the atmosphere, including temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind, and precipitation. Most weather occurs in the troposphere.

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2
Q

How does air pressure affect weather?

A

High pressure: Air flows downward and outward, often causing clear skies.
Low pressure: Air flows upward and inward, leading to cloud formation and precipitation.

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3
Q

What tools are used to measure weather?

A

Barometer: Measures air pressure.
Doppler radar: Tracks storms.
Weather satellites: Monitor atmospheric changes and water vapor.

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4
Q

Define climate and differentiate it from weather.

A

Climate: The average weather pattern in a region over decades.
Weather: Day-to-day atmospheric conditions.

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5
Q

How do global climate changes impact weather patterns?

A

Increased severe weather events.
More hot summer days.
Fewer extreme cold days but potential for heavier snowfall in some areas.

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6
Q

What is the Ideal Gas Law, and how does it relate to weather?

A

The Ideal Gas Law describes how pressure, temperature, and volume interact:

If air pressure increases, temperature increases.
Explains cooling at higher altitudes and the formation of weather patterns.

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7
Q

What are air masses, and how are they classified?

A

Large bodies of air with uniform temperature and moisture:

Maritime Polar (mP): Cold, moist air from over oceans.
Continental Polar (cP): Cold, dry air from land.
Maritime Tropical (mT): Warm, moist air from equatorial oceans.
Continental Tropical (cT): Hot, dry air from land.

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8
Q

What happens when air masses collide?

A

They form fronts, creating distinct weather patterns:

Cold Fronts: Cold air pushes warm air up, forming thunderstorms.
Warm Fronts: Warm air rises over cold air, leading to prolonged drizzle.
Stationary Fronts: Stalemate between air masses, causing extended overcast and rain.
Occluded Fronts: Complex interactions of cold and warm air masses, leading to mixed precipitation.

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9
Q

What are the layers of the atmosphere?

A

Troposphere: Closest to Earth; weather occurs here.
Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer.
Mesosphere: Where meteors burn up.
Thermosphere: High-energy solar radiation causes high temperatures.
Exosphere: Outer edge, blending into space.

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10
Q

How does Earth’s tilt affect seasons?

A

The tilt causes varying solar radiation:

Summer: Hemisphere tilted toward the Sun.
Winter: Hemisphere tilted away.
Spring/Autumn: Sun shines equally on both hemispheres.

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11
Q

What is the Coriolis Effect?

A

The rotation of Earth causes winds to curve:

Northern Hemisphere: Winds curve to the right.
Southern Hemisphere: Winds curve to the left.

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12
Q

How do atmospheric pressure systems appear on weather maps?

A

High Pressure (H): Blue symbol, indicating fair weather.
Low Pressure (L): Red symbol, indicating clouds and storms.

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13
Q

What is the significance of the ozone layer in the stratosphere?

A

It absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, protecting life on Earth.

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14
Q

How does global wind circulation affect ecosystems?

A

Rising air at the equator creates rainforests.
Descending air at 30° N/S forms deserts.

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15
Q

Describe how carbon cycles through Earth and the atmosphere.

A

Fast cycle: Between atmosphere, plants, animals, and soils.
Slow cycle: Involves oceans, sediments, and volcanoes.

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16
Q

How do human activities impact the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles?

A

Overuse of fertilizers disrupts ecosystems by adding excess nutrients, leading to water pollution and algal blooms.

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17
Q

What technologies improve weather predictions?

A

GOES Satellites: Monitor real-time severe weather.
JPSS Satellites: Provide long-term atmospheric data.

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18
Q

What causes Earth’s atmosphere to stay in place?

A

Gravity pulls atmospheric gases toward Earth’s surface, creating air pressure.

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19
Q

What is air pressure, and how is it measured?

A

Definition: The force exerted by air molecules above a specific area.
Measurement tools: Barometer (inches of mercury or millibars).

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20
Q

How does altitude affect air pressure?

A

Air pressure decreases with altitude because there are fewer air molecules above.
Sea level experiences the highest pressure.

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21
Q

How do temperature and density affect air pressure?

A

Warm air: Lower density and lower pressure as molecules spread out.
Cold air: Higher density and higher pressure as molecules compress

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22
Q

What are the main gases in Earth’s atmosphere?

A

Nitrogen (78%)
Oxygen (21%)
Argon (0.9%)
Trace gases include carbon dioxide (0.04%), neon, helium, and methane.

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23
Q

How has the atmosphere evolved over time?

A

Early atmosphere: Dominated by volcanic CO₂ and water vapor.
Algae and plants: Reduced CO₂ and increased oxygen through photosynthesis.
Current atmosphere: Balanced due to natural cycles and human impacts.

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24
Q

What role do nitrogen-fixing bacteria play in the nitrogen cycle?

A

They convert atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into ammonia (NH₃) or ammonium (NH₄⁺), making it usable by plants.

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25
Q

What is denitrification, and why is it important?

A

Definition: The process of converting nitrate (NO₃⁻) back into nitrogen gas (N₂).
Importance: Balances nitrogen levels in ecosystems and prevents overaccumulation.

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26
Q

How does the phosphorus cycle differ from other biogeochemical cycles?

A

It does not involve the atmosphere. Phosphorus originates from weathering rocks and cycles through soil, water, and organisms.

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27
Q

What are the characteristics of a cold front?

A

Definition: Cold air rapidly pushes under warm air, causing it to rise.
Weather: Thunderstorms, high winds, and cumulonimbus clouds.
Symbol: Blue triangles pointing toward warm air.

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28
Q

What are the characteristics of a warm front?

A

Definition: Warm air slowly rises over cooler air.
Weather: Drizzle and overcast skies.
Symbol: Red semicircles pointing toward cooler air.

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29
Q

What are occluded fronts, and how do they form?

A

Definition: Formed when a cold front overtakes a warm front.
Weather: Mixed precipitation and overcast skies.
Symbol: Purple line with alternating triangles and semicircles.

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30
Q

What is a stationary front?

A

Definition: Occurs when warm and cold air masses meet but do not move.
Weather: Prolonged drizzle and cloudy skies.
Symbol: Alternating blue triangles and red semicircles on opposite sides of a line.

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31
Q

What are Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells?

A

Hadley cells: Circulation between the equator and 30° latitude, creating tropical rainforests and deserts.
Ferrel cells: Between 30° and 60° latitude, mixing tropical and polar air.
Polar cells: Cold, sinking air at the poles creates dry, high-pressure zones.

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32
Q

How does the tilt of Earth’s axis affect the intensity of solar radiation?

A

Direct sunlight at the equator causes consistent warmth.
Oblique sunlight at higher latitudes creates seasonal variations.

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33
Q

What is the difference between weather and climate?

A

Weather: Short-term atmospheric conditions (e.g., daily temperature, precipitation).
Climate: Long-term average weather patterns in a region.

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34
Q

How do human activities alter the carbon cycle?

A

Burning fossil fuels adds CO₂ to the atmosphere.
Deforestation reduces the amount of CO₂ absorbed by plants.
Oceans absorb CO₂, causing acidification and threatening marine ecosystems.

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35
Q

What are the main causes of global wind patterns?

A

Unequal heating of Earth’s surface.
Earth’s rotation and the Coriolis effect.
Convection currents from rising warm air and sinking cool air.

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36
Q

How do El Niño and La Niña affect global weather?

A

El Niño: Warmer Pacific waters, leading to wetter conditions in some regions and droughts in others.
La Niña: Cooler Pacific waters, causing the opposite weather patterns.

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37
Q

What is the role of the ozone layer?

A

Protects life by absorbing harmful UV radiation.
Located in the stratosphere.

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38
Q

How do high- and low-pressure systems circulate?

A

High pressure: Air flows outward, clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
Low pressure: Air flows inward, counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.

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39
Q

Why do hurricanes spin in opposite directions in each hemisphere?

A

The Coriolis effect causes clockwise rotation in the Southern Hemisphere and counterclockwise rotation in the Northern Hemisphere.

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40
Q

How do weather satellites help in forecasting?

A

GOES satellites: Provide real-time data on water vapor and cloud height.
JPSS satellites: Offer global atmospheric temperature and precipitation forecasts.

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41
Q

How does atmospheric water vapor influence weather?

A

High moisture: Leads to cloud formation and precipitation.
Dry air: Contributes to clear skies and high-pressure systems.

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42
Q

Why is moist air less dense than dry air?

A

Water vapor molecules are lighter than nitrogen and oxygen, reducing overall air density.

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43
Q

What is a surface weather analysis?

A

A map showing current weather conditions, including pressure systems, temperature, and cloud cover, based on ground and satellite data.

44
Q

What is the difference between weather and climate? Provide an example of each.

A

Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions such as temperature, precipitation, and wind in a specific area (e.g., a rainy day in Miami). Climate refers to the long-term average weather patterns in a region over decades (e.g., Florida’s humid subtropical climate).

45
Q

Explain how the Coriolis effect influences wind patterns in the Northern Hemisphere. Why does this effect differ in the Southern Hemisphere?

A

The Coriolis effect causes winds in the Northern Hemisphere to curve to the right due to Earth’s rotation. In the Southern Hemisphere, winds curve to the left. This difference occurs because the rotation of Earth creates opposite directional forces in each hemisphere.

46
Q

Describe the process of nitrogen fixation and explain its importance to living organisms.

A

Nitrogen fixation is the process by which nitrogen gas (N₂) in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia (NH₃) or ammonium (NH₄⁺) by bacteria, lightning, or human-made fertilizers. This process is essential because most living organisms cannot use atmospheric nitrogen directly. Fixed nitrogen is a critical component of amino acids, proteins, and DNA.

47
Q

How does air pressure change with altitude, and what are the effects of this change on weather and temperature?

A

Air pressure decreases with altitude because there are fewer air molecules above. This reduction in pressure causes the temperature to drop, leading to cooler conditions at higher altitudes. Lower air pressure also reduces the likelihood of dense clouds forming, affecting weather patterns.

48
Q

Compare the characteristics and weather effects of cold fronts and warm fronts.

A

Cold Front: Occurs when cold air pushes under warm air, forcing it to rise quickly. This creates cumulonimbus clouds, leading to thunderstorms, heavy rain, or even hail.
Warm Front: Occurs when warm air slowly rises over cool air, forming stratus clouds. It often results in light rain or drizzle and overcast skies.
Cold fronts typically bring rapid, intense weather changes, while warm fronts produce prolonged, gentle precipitation.

49
Q

Why are El Niño and La Niña significant for global weather patterns? Provide one example of their effects.

A

El Niño and La Niña are climate phenomena caused by variations in Pacific Ocean temperatures. El Niño involves warmer waters, disrupting global weather patterns and causing wetter conditions in some areas (e.g., heavy rains in South America) and droughts in others (e.g., Southeast Asia). La Niña features cooler Pacific waters, causing opposite effects such as dry conditions in South America and increased hurricane activity in the Atlantic.

50
Q

How do human activities disrupt the carbon cycle, and what are the consequences for ecosystems?

A

Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation release excess carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere, accelerating the greenhouse effect and contributing to global warming. Consequences include rising temperatures, ocean acidification, melting ice caps, and disrupted ecosystems, such as coral reef bleaching and habitat loss for polar species.

51
Q

Explain the role of the ozone layer and describe one way humans have damaged it. What actions have been taken to address this damage?

A

The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, protecting living organisms. Humans have damaged it through the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which break down ozone molecules. Actions such as the 1987 Montreal Protocol have reduced CFC production, allowing the ozone layer to recover gradually.

52
Q

How do air masses form, and what characteristics define them? Include examples of two air mass types.

A

Air masses form over large geographic regions with uniform surface conditions, acquiring the temperature and moisture characteristics of their source area. For example:

Maritime Polar (mP): Cold, moist air from oceans near polar regions.
Continental Tropical (cT): Hot, dry air from desert regions.
Air masses influence regional weather as they move and interact.

53
Q

How does the uneven heating of Earth’s surface create global wind patterns? Include the role of convection currents in your explanation.

A

Uneven heating occurs because sunlight hits the equator more directly than the poles, causing warm air to rise at the equator and cool air to sink at higher latitudes. This creates convection currents, which drive global wind patterns. Rising warm air forms low-pressure zones, while sinking cool air forms high-pressure zones, creating Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells that distribute heat globally.

54
Q

Analyze the role of weather satellites like GOES and JPSS in improving weather predictions.

A

GOES satellites provide real-time data on atmospheric water vapor, cloud height, and severe weather events, enabling immediate response to storms. JPSS satellites monitor long-term atmospheric trends and predict weather up to seven days in advance. Together, these satellites improve the accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasts, saving lives and reducing economic losses during extreme weather events.

55
Q

Why do hurricanes spin in opposite directions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres? Use the Coriolis effect in your explanation.

A

Hurricanes spin counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere due to the Coriolis effect. As air flows toward the low-pressure center of a hurricane, Earth’s rotation deflects the path of the air, causing opposite spin directions in each hemisphere.

56
Q

Explain how the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles support ecosystems. What happens when these cycles are disrupted?

A

The nitrogen cycle provides essential nutrients for plant growth, while the phosphorus cycle delivers phosphorus needed for DNA, RNA, and ATP. When these cycles are disrupted by excess fertilizer use or runoff, ecosystems can suffer from nutrient imbalances, leading to water pollution, algal blooms, and dead zones in aquatic environments.

57
Q

Predict the weather associated with a stationary front and explain why it occurs.

A

A stationary front causes prolonged overcast skies, drizzle, or light rain. It occurs when a cold air mass and a warm air mass meet but neither advances. The lack of movement allows the two air masses to remain in place, leading to extended periods of consistent weather.

58
Q

How do global wind patterns influence the location of deserts and rainforests?

A

Global wind patterns create areas of rising and sinking air. Rising air at the equator forms low-pressure zones, leading to heavy rainfall and rainforests. Sinking air at 30° latitude forms high-pressure zones, creating dry conditions and deserts.

59
Q

What are the gases that make up the atmosphere? Know the percentages.

A

Nitrogen: 78.0%
Oxygen: 20.9%
Argon: 0.9%
Trace gases: 0.02% (including CO₂, Ne, He, CH₄, H₂, Kr)

60
Q

Describe pressure and understand how gravity assists in causing high and low pressure.

A

Pressure: A measure of force acting over a certain area. Atmospheric pressure is the weight of air molecules above a specific area.
Gravity’s Role: Gravity pulls air toward Earth’s surface, creating higher pressure at lower elevations (e.g., sea level) and lower pressure at higher elevations.

61
Q

What is a barometer?

A

Barometer: A tool used to measure air pressure. Historically, it measured the height of mercury pushed by air pressure; today, electronic sensors are commonly used​.

62
Q

Troposphere

A

Closest to Earth’s surface; contains 75% of atmospheric mass.
Temperature Trend: Decreases with altitude.
Contents: Weather, clouds, and life​.

63
Q

Stratosphere

A

Above the troposphere.
Temperature Trend: Increases with altitude due to ozone absorbing UV radiation.
Contents: Ozone layer​.

64
Q

Mesosphere

A

Middle layer.
Temperature Trend: Decreases with altitude.
Contents: Burns up most meteors​.

65
Q

Thermosphere

A

Very thin air.
Temperature Trend: Increases with altitude due to solar radiation.
Contents: Aurora Borealis, International Space Station​

66
Q

Exosphere

A

Outermost layer; transitions into space.
Contents: Satellites​

67
Q

Explain why we have seasons

A

Seasons result from Earth’s axial tilt. As Earth orbits the Sun:

A hemisphere tilted toward the Sun experiences summer.
A hemisphere tilted away experiences winter.
During transitional periods (neither toward nor away), spring or autumn occurs​.

68
Q

What causes global winds?

A

Global winds are caused by the uneven heating of Earth’s surface, creating pressure differences. Air moves from high to low pressure, influenced by Earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect)​.

69
Q

What are the three major wind bands?

A

Hadley cells: Near the equator.
Ferrel cells: Mid-latitudes.
Polar cells: Near the poles​.

70
Q

Explain how air pressure leads to the creation of rainforests and deserts.

A

Rainforests: Rising air in low-pressure areas cools, condenses, and forms rain.
Deserts: Descending air in high-pressure areas inhibits cloud formation, leading to dry conditions​.

71
Q

Why are the poles rotating slower than the equator?

A

Points at the equator cover a larger distance in the same amount of time, making them rotate faster than the poles​.

72
Q

Describe the speed of a cloud moving north from the equator compared to one moving south.

A

A cloud moving north from the equator is faster than the ground below.
A cloud moving south toward the equator is slower than the ground below, due to the Coriolis effect​.

73
Q

What happens when air masses encounter both high and low pressure systems?

A

High Pressure: Air sinks and spreads outward, preventing cloud formation.
Low Pressure: Air converges and rises, forming clouds and precipitation​.

74
Q

What direction do hurricanes spin in the northern and southern hemispheres?

A

Northern Hemisphere: Counterclockwise.
Southern Hemisphere: Clockwise​.

75
Q

Compare and contrast El Niño and La Niña

A

El Niño: Warmer-than-average Pacific Ocean temperatures. In the U.S., it brings wetter winters to the south and drier conditions to the north.
La Niña: Cooler-than-average Pacific temperatures. It brings drier conditions to the south and wetter winters to the northwest​.

76
Q

Atmosphere Composition

A

Nitrogen (N₂): 78.0%
Oxygen (O₂): 20.9%
Argon (Ar): 0.9%
Trace Gases: CO₂ (0.02%), Neon (Ne), Helium (He), Methane (CH₄), Hydrogen (H₂), Krypton (Kr)

77
Q

Pressure and Gravity

A

Pressure is the force exerted over an area.
Gravity pulls air molecules toward Earth’s surface, creating higher pressure at sea level and lower pressure at higher elevations.

78
Q

Barometer

A

A tool used to measure atmospheric pressure

79
Q

Atmospheric Layers (with Temperature Trends & Features)

A

Troposphere: Decreasing temperature with altitude; weather occurs here.
Stratosphere: Increasing temperature due to ozone absorption of UV radiation.
Mesosphere: Decreasing temperature; meteors burn up here.
Thermosphere: Increasing temperature; auroras and the ISS are located here.
Exosphere: Gradual transition to space; satellites orbit here.

80
Q

Seasons & Hemisphere Differences

A

Seasons are caused by Earth’s tilt.
Northern Hemisphere: Summer when tilted toward the Sun, winter when tilted away.
Southern Hemisphere: Opposite seasonal pattern.
Fall/Spring: Neither hemisphere is tilted towards or away, leading to moderate temperatures.

81
Q

Uneven Heating & Global Winds

A

The equator receives more direct sunlight, causing warm air to rise.
The three wind bands (Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar Cells) are caused by this uneven heating.

82
Q

Wind Bands & Rotation

A

Hadley Cells: Trade winds move east to west.
Ferrel Cells: Winds move west to east.
Polar Cells: Winds move east to west.

83
Q

Air Pressure & Rainforests/Deserts

A

Low Pressure → Rising Air → Rainforests
High Pressure → Descending Air → Deserts

84
Q

Rotation at the Poles vs. Equator

A

The equator spins faster than the poles due to Earth’s rotation

85
Q

Cloud Speed from the Equator

A

A cloud moving north will be faster than the ground below.
A cloud moving south will be slower than the ground below.

86
Q

Storms & Air Masses

A

High Pressure → Clear Skies
Low Pressure → Storms (Cyclones, Hurricanes, Tornadoes)

87
Q

Hurricane Rotation

A

Northern Hemisphere: Counterclockwise.
Southern Hemisphere: Clockwise.

88
Q

El Niño vs. La Niña

A

El Niño: Warmer ocean temperatures, wetter conditions in the US.
La Niña: Cooler ocean temperatures, drier conditions in the US.

89
Q

Atmospheric Changes Over Time

A

Early volcanic activity released CO₂.
Water vapor condensed into oceans, reducing CO₂.
Photosynthesis by algae increased O₂ levels.

90
Q

Nitrogen & Phosphorus in the Body

A

Nitrogen: Needed for proteins, DNA, RNA.
Phosphorus: Needed for DNA, RNA, ATP, and cell membranes.

91
Q

Forms of Atmospheric Nitrogen & Carbon

A

Nitrogen: Must be fixed into ammonia or nitrates.
Carbon: Exists as CO₂ gas.

92
Q

Breaking Nitrogen Gas

A

The triple bond in N₂ makes it difficult to break.

93
Q

Nitrogen Cycle

A

nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, denitrification

94
Q

Ammonia to Ammonium

A

Ammonia (NH₃) mixes with water to become ammonium (NH₄⁺)

95
Q

Importance of Nitrifying Bacteria

A

Convert ammonia into usable nitrates for plants

96
Q

How Nitrogen is Fixed into the Ground

A

Bacteria, lightning, and human fertilizers

97
Q

Nitrification Reaction

A

NH₃ → NO₂⁻ → NO₃⁻

98
Q

Denitrification Reaction

A

NO₃⁻ → N₂ + O₂

99
Q

Why Phosphorus Doesn’t Cycle in the Atmosphere

A

Phosphorus is found in rocks, not as a gas

100
Q

How Phosphorus is Released

A

Weathering of rocks

101
Q

Human Impact on Nitrogen Cycle

A

Overuse of fertilizers leads to eutrophication.
Solutions: Reduce fertilizer use, improve wastewater treatment.

102
Q

Carbon Cycle Speed

A

Fast through living organisms, slow through geological processes.

103
Q

Pure Carbon in the Atmosphere?

A

No, carbon exists as CO₂.

104
Q

Human Impact on Carbon Cycle

A

Fossil fuel burning increases CO₂.
Effects: Ocean acidification, climate change.
Solutions: Reduce fossil fuel use, increase reforestation.

105
Q

Impact of Increased Carbon & Nitrogen

A

Leads to global warming and environmental imbalances

Hank K (5 decks)

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