Lecture 2 & 3

Question 1

Define Scattering.

Answer 1

Incoming solar radiation gets diffused through the atmosphere. Wavelength does not change.

Question 2

Define Absorption.

Answer 2

Particles in the atmosphere absorb radiation. Heat is created in the atmosphere.

Question 3

Define Reflection.

Answer 3

Solar radiation in the atmosphere is redirected.

Question 4

Uninterrupted solar radiation that strikes the earths surface is called _________________.

Answer 4

Direct solar radiation.

Question 5

When redirected sunlight reaches the earths surface it’s called __________.

Answer 5

Diffused solar radiation.

Question 6

Define Albedo.

Answer 6

The reflectivity of a surface.

Question 7

Define Reflectivity.

Answer 7

Process of returning sound or light waves back to the source.

Question 8

Define Greenhouse Effect.

Answer 8

Naturally occurring process that aids in heating the earths surface and atmosphere.

Question 9

Approximately what percentage of sunlight is absorbed by the earth?

Answer 9

51%

Question 10

Name three greenhouse gases.

Answer 10

CO2, H2O, Methane.

Question 11

Radiation that leaves the earth emits in ______ wavelengths and _______ frequency.

Answer 11

Long and low

Question 12

Define Temperature.

Answer 12

The measure of average speed of atoms and molecules, faster speed of atoms means a higher temperature.

Question 13

Define Heat.

Answer 13

Energy in the new process of being transferred from one object to another due to temperature difference.

Question 14

What is the difference between temperature and heat?

Answer 14

Temperature deals with particle speed and heat is energy transfer.

Question 15

What are four main factors that effect the earths climate?

Answer 15

Variations in earths orbit
Atmospheric carbon dioxide variations
Volcanic eruptions
Variations in solar output

Question 16

Define El Niño.

Answer 16

Warm water transfers across the equator stopping costal upwelling and reversing high and low pressure systems.

Question 17

Define La Niña.

Answer 17

Costal upwelling increases pushing cold water across the equator.

Question 18

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Answer 18

Weather is what you see day to day, climate is an overall trend in weather.

Question 19

Solar radiation that gets trapped in the atmosphere gets turned into ______ heat.

Answer 19

Latent

Question 20

The ice caps are ______.

Answer 20

Melting

Question 21

How often does the El Niño occur and how long does it last for?

Answer 21

El Niño occurs every 3-7 years and lasts 18 months.

Question 22

What are some of the impacts of El Niño?

Answer 22

Warmer costal water effects fish migration and ocean circulation.

Question 23

Define PDO.

Answer 23

A natural phenomena that creates warm costal waters and sea levels rise. A cold blob is created off Japan.

Question 24

What is the PDO cycle?

Answer 24

20-30 years in length.

Question 25

What happens when El Niño and PDO combine?

Answer 25

Costal erosion and more storms.

Question 26

What three atmospherics processes modify the solar radiation coming in from the sun?

Answer 26

Scattering, absorption, reflection.

Question 27

When you combine El Niño and climate change what happens to the ocean?

Answer 27

It heats slowly.