Lecture 2 & 3 Flashcards
Define Scattering.
Incoming solar radiation gets diffused through the atmosphere. Wavelength does not change.
Define Absorption.
Particles in the atmosphere absorb radiation. Heat is created in the atmosphere.
Define Reflection.
Solar radiation in the atmosphere is redirected.
Uninterrupted solar radiation that strikes the earths surface is called _________________.
Direct solar radiation.
When redirected sunlight reaches the earths surface it’s called __________.
Diffused solar radiation.
Define Albedo.
The reflectivity of a surface.
Define Reflectivity.
Process of returning sound or light waves back to the source.
Define Greenhouse Effect.
Naturally occurring process that aids in heating the earths surface and atmosphere.
Approximately what percentage of sunlight is absorbed by the earth?
51%
Name three greenhouse gases.
CO2, H2O, Methane.
Radiation that leaves the earth emits in ______ wavelengths and _______ frequency.
Long and low
Define Temperature.
The measure of average speed of atoms and molecules, faster speed of atoms means a higher temperature.
Define Heat.
Energy in the new process of being transferred from one object to another due to temperature difference.
What is the difference between temperature and heat?
Temperature deals with particle speed and heat is energy transfer.
What are four main factors that effect the earths climate?
Variations in earths orbit
Atmospheric carbon dioxide variations
Volcanic eruptions
Variations in solar output
Define El Niño.
Warm water transfers across the equator stopping costal upwelling and reversing high and low pressure systems.
Define La Niña.
Costal upwelling increases pushing cold water across the equator.
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is what you see day to day, climate is an overall trend in weather.
Solar radiation that gets trapped in the atmosphere gets turned into ______ heat.
Latent
The ice caps are ______.
Melting
How often does the El Niño occur and how long does it last for?
El Niño occurs every 3-7 years and lasts 18 months.
What are some of the impacts of El Niño?
Warmer costal water effects fish migration and ocean circulation.
Define PDO.
A natural phenomena that creates warm costal waters and sea levels rise. A cold blob is created off Japan.
What is the PDO cycle?
20-30 years in length.
What happens when El Niño and PDO combine?
Costal erosion and more storms.
What three atmospherics processes modify the solar radiation coming in from the sun?
Scattering, absorption, reflection.
When you combine El Niño and climate change what happens to the ocean?
It heats slowly.
