Lecture 7: Earth's energy budget/balance 3

Question 1

INTRODUCTION TO GREENHOUSE GASES

Answer 1

• Greenhouse gases are atmospheric gases which absorb thermal radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface. This blanketing effect leads to an increase in surface temperatures.
• Water vapour is responsible for most of the greenhouse warming, but its atmospheric abundance is not changing directly as a consequence of human activities.
• CO2 concentration is the main “temperature controller” on Earth.

Question 2

Orography- mountain ridges - my notes

Answer 2

• Rising air- more rainfall
• Short spatial scale- California- 3 mountain ranges- pacific- moisture gone- then eastern side- Nevada- desert- death valley- complete lac of rainfall on the other side
• Moisture lost- on other side
• Same with Himalayas
• Nothing to do with latitude or ocean

Question 3

Factors determine climate- my notes

Answer 3

• Latitude
• Land and water
• Ocean currents
• Prevailing winds
• Pressure cells
• Mountain barriers
• Altitude

Question 4

Climate classification- my notes

Answer 4

• Thronwaite system
• Köppen system
  o Employs five major climate types
  o Designated by a capital letter
  o A-E (tropical- polar)
  o Then there is sub classifications