Hydrological Cycle Flashcards
Describe the seven key properties of water and their role in the Earth system.
High Heat Capacity
Latent Heat
Transparency
Thermal Expansion/Contraction
Surface Tension
Solvent
What is buoyancy in the atmosphere and how is it controlled?
What four processes produce uplift in the atmosphere and why is it important in causing precipitation?
What is the saturation of water vapor in the air?
What is specific humidity? What is relative humidity? How do they differ?
Specific humidity refers to the actual quantity of water in a parcel of air, while relative humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the air as it compares to the amount possible at a given temperature.
What is an adiabatic process?
A process in which an air parcel does not mix with its environment nor exchange energy with its environment
Why is the WALR always less than the DALR?
As a parcel of saturated air ascends and cools, the water vapor condenses into water droplets, releasing latent heat into the parcel, thus slowing the cooling
What is the distribution of fresh and salt water on the globe?
Oceans: 97.5%
Freshwater : 2.5%
- cryosphere
- groundwater
- surface water & atmosphere
