Global Warming Flashcards
Thermosphere
A virtual vacuum; rise in absorbed energy due to energised short-wave radiation.
Mesoshpere
Temperatures decrease because decreasing density prevents the absorption of energy.
Stratosphere
Lacks dust and water vapour; stable; thin; increase in temperature with height is due to absorption of solar radiation.
Troposphere
Most weather processes take place here; fall in temperature with height as atmosphere thins.
Insolation
Incoming solar radiation.
Short-wave radiation
The main energy input and it is affected by latitude, season and cloud cover.
Long-wave radiation
Refers to the radiation if energy from the earth into the atmosphere and, for some of it, eventually into space.
Convection
The transfer of heat by the movement of a gas or liquid.
Conduction
The transfer of heat by contact.
Greenhouse effect
The process by which certain gases allow short-wave radiation from the sun to pass through the atmosphere but trap an increasing proportion of outgoing long-wave radiation from the earth. This radiation leads to a warming of the atmosphere.
Enhanced greenhouse effect
The impact of increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere as a result of human activities.
The Albedo effect
Snow reflects insolation due to the fact that it is white and shiny. The more snow cover there is, the more reflection of insolation occurs and this leads to cooling. However, when there is less snow cover, there is more absorption, which leads to warming.
Solar constant (Sunspots)
Sunspots are darker, cooler areas on the surface of the sun.
Distance from sun
The greater the distance from the sun, the less solar radiation the earth will receive.
Volcanic eruptions
Volcanic eruption causes global dimming which would lead to cooling. However, during a volcanic eruption, greenhouse gases are also released into the atmosphere, and we know that the enhanced greenhouse effect leads to warming.
