Geography Yr08 Sum1 Flashcards
1.1 weather
The current atmospheric conditions today, e.g. snow/ sunshine.
1.2 climate
The average/expected weather conditions over a long period of time in an area.
1.3 climate zones
Different bands around the world sharing similar climatic conditions.
1.4 biomes
Large-scale ecosystems with similar plants and animals and climate .
1.5 front
Boundary separating two air masses.
1.6 cold front
Cold air
1.7 warm front
Warm air
1.8 occluded front
Mixing cold and warm front
1.9 precipitation
Rainfall, snow, sleet, hail
1.1 frontal rain
Rain that comes from when two air masses meet, creating unstable conditions.
1.11 relief rain
Rain created when air is forced to rise upwards over mountains, cooling.
1.12 convectional rain
Rain created by super-heating of the ground during hot weather, causing hot air to rise, then cool.
1.13 air masses
Large section of air with similar temperature within it.
1.14 depression
Low pressure system, forming unstable conditions, with a warm and a cold front.
1.15 anticyclone
High pressure system, with few clouds, and little rain.
1.16 isobars
Lines drawn on a map showing areas of equal pressure.
1.17 meteorology
The study of the weather and atmosphere, and its forecasting.
1.18 synoptic chart
A map used by a meteorologist to show and predict weather.
1.19 microclimate
A local set of weather conditions that are different to the surrounding area.
1.2 albedo effect
The reflection of heat and light form a lighter surface, causing cooling.
1.21 aspect
The direction a slope faces, which impacts the temperature.
1.22 urban heat island
The urban area causes more heat than in the surrounding countryside.
1.23 hypothesis
An educated prediction tested in an experiment.
2.1 heat
Different climate zones exist around the world due to how much heat (insolation) is received from the sun.
2.2 poles
This means that the poles are cooler as the sunlight has to travel further and so some energy is lost on the way. This creates an icy environment.
2.3 Equator
The Equator is warmest as most of the sun’s energy is concentrated here. This creates a tropical environment.
3.1 frontal rain
A warm front and a cold front meet.
3.2 forcing
The warm front is forced over the top of the cold front, forcing air to cool and condense, forming clouds and then rainfall.
3.3 unsettled
Mixing of fronts creates unsettled weather. E.g. UK
3.4 convectional rain
Hot weather super-heats the ground, creating evaporation.
3.5 air rising
Hot air rises and cools forming clouds and then precipitation.
3.6 example
E.g. SE England in summer
3.7 relief rain
Warm, moist air from the Atlantic ocean moves eastwards,
3.8 mountain
It meets a mountain/ high relief.
3.9 example
It is forced upwards, where it cools and condenses. It then falls as rain. E.g. NW Scotland.
6.1 synoptic chart
Synoptic charts show area of high pressure (anticyclones), areas of low pressure (depressions), fronts and the wind.
6.2 isobars
On synoptic charts the wind levels can be shown how close together the isobars are.
6.3 windy
Very windy areas have isobars that are close together.
6.4 calm
Calm areas have isobars that are further apart.
6.5 careers
To become a meteorologist and study the synoptic charts, you need to have A levels in maths, the sciences or geography, and go to university to study geography, physics or computer science.
6.1 carbon dioxide
Climate change mitigation looks at ways we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. There are different ways we can do this including:
6.2 renewable energy
Using renewable energy sources such as wind, sun and hydro power.
6.3 capture
Using carbon capture technology which means taking the carbon dioxide that we emit, out of the atmosphere and storing it underground.
6.4 planting trees
Or by planting more trees as these trees will take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis.
7.1 reduce
We are already seeing the effects of climate change, and need to be able to adapt to reduce the impact There are different ways we can adapt including:
7.2 infrastructure
Improving our infrastructure such as buildings and roads so they can withstand floods and extreme weather.
7.3 agriculture
Changes in agriculture so that crops that we grow can survive in extreme conditions e.g. drought
7.4 mangroves
Replanting mangroves as they acts as a natural barrier, protecting coastlines.
7.5 alerts
Using emergency alert systems, which warn people if there is a storm or wildfire.
8.1 Fossil fuels
When humans burn fossil fuels, they release greenhouse gases.
8.2 Trapped
These unnaturally thicken the natural greenhouse layer around our planet, meaning less of the sun’s heat is reflected back out to Space, and more in trapped in Earth.
8.3 Temperature
The Earth’s temperature rises as a result.
1.1 climate change
The long term shift in the planet’s weather patterns and average temperatures.
1.2 greenhouse effect
The natural trapping of heat in Earth by a layer of gases (carbon dioxide and methane)
1.3 enhanced greenhouse effect
Humans have added to the layer of gases, causing more heat to be trapped inside Earth.
1.4 greenhouse gas
A gas that absorbs heat, e.g. carbon dioxide.
1.5 carbon dioxide
A greenhouse gas. Too much on our atmosphere changes Earth’s temperatures
1.6 methane
A greenhouse gas. 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide
1.7 human causes
A man-made cause of climate change e.g. burning fossil fuels
1.8 physical causes
A natural cause of climate change e.g. sunspots
1.9 fossil fuels
Coal/oil/gas
1.1 global warming
A rise in global temperatures caused by an enhanced greenhouse effect
1.11 sunspots
Areas on the sun’s surface that create higher temperatures on Earth
1.12 orbital geometry
Changes in the Earth’s tilt and orbit of the sun that effect Earth’s temperature
1.13 agriculture
Farming crops or animals.
1.14 ocean acidification
When carbon dioxide is dissolved in the ocean making it more acidic.
1.15 mitigation
Ways to prevent climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
1.16 sustainable
Can be continued for a long time without impacting current generation or future generation.
1.17 renewable energy
Energy that comes from natural sources that won’t run out e.g. wind power.
1.18 carbon capture
Taking carbon out of the atmosphere and storing it underground
1.19 carbon footprint
How much carbon you emit as an individual.
1.2 adaptation
Ways of reducing the impacts of climate change.
1.21 infrastructure
Buildings/roads/power supplies.
2.1 volcanic activity
Volcanic eruptions cause gases and ash to be released into the atmosphere, this can cause heating or cooling of the Earth.
2.2 orbital geometry
The Earth’s orbit of the sun moves from an elliptical (oval) to a circular shape every 100,000 years. This along with changes in the tilt of the Earth means more of the sun’s energy reaches Earth, causing temperatures to rise.
2.3 sunspots
Sunspot activity increases/decreases the energy given off by the sun. The more sun spots the higher the temperature.
3.1 fossil fuels
Burning fossil fuels such oil and gas to power cars and factories releases carbon dioxide.
3.2 agriculture
Cattle farming leads to the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas
3.3 deforestation
Deforestation which is the cutting down of trees, leads to more carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere and less taken out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis.
4.1 warmer oceans
As ocean temperatures rise, the water expands causing sea levels to rise. Rising temperatures will also cause ice sheets to melt which will also contribute to rising sea levels .This will lead to flooding of certain areas, causing people to relocate.
4.2 ocean acidification
More carbon dioxide will be dissolved into our oceans causing ocean acidification. This will damage ocean ecosystems and impact food chains.
4.3 extreme weather
As temperatures rise, more extreme weather events will occur such as severe storms, drought and flooding. This will impact our ability to grow food.
