M1 Topic 1 Part 1: Atmosphere Flashcards
what are the 4 spheres
atmosphere
hydrosphere
lithosphere
biosphere
what is the atmosphere
thin layer of gases that surrounds the Earth protects living things from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.
what is the atmosphere made up of
4 layers mostly consisting of oxygen and water vapour
what are the 4 layers of the Atmosphere (from highest to lowest
thermopause
mesopause
Stratopuase
tropopause
what type of energy is emitted from the sun
short wave solar radiation (Isolation)
how does the suns energy effect Earth (4)
the planets climate
the planets weather
the hydro-logical cycle
allows for photosynthesis to occur
what factors effect the amount of solar radiation that Earth receives (3)
the orbit of the earth around the sun
latitude and intensity of the sun
Angle of the Earth
Why does Earth’s distance from the sun change
Earth follows a elliptical orbit around the sun which causes the Earth to be closer to the sun at certain times of the year
How does the change in Earth’s distance from the sun effect the amount of solar radiation that it receives
it results in a change of 6% in the amount of isolation received by the Earth at different places at a time
How does latitudes effect on Earths exposure to solar radiation
at higher latitudes the sun has more surface area to heat, which means temperature is lower at higher latitudes
how much is Earths axis tilted by
23.5°
How do variations in the Earths axis effect Earths exposure to solar radiation
Earths tilt leads to change in length of day changing the amount of time there is to absorb solar radiation.
what is the global heat budget
the balance between the energy Earth receives from the Sun, and the energy the Earth radiates back into outer space
what are the features of the global heat budget (2)
positive heat balance in the tropics
negative heat balance in polar regions and high altitudes
why do polar regions have negative heat balence
there is a high surface albedo in the region
what is albedo
the reflectivity of a surface
how is heat energy transferred on Earth (2)
Horizontal transfers: wind, ocean currents
how do horizontal transfers transfer heat
they move heat along the Earths surface through conduction, and convection currents that transfer heat via condensation
what would happen if horizontal transfers didn’t occur (2)
Earths surface would get hotter
temperatures would get cooler
what is lapse rate
the rate of change in temperature due to increase in altitude (6.5°C/1000m of elevation)
what causes air on earth to move
air moves due to differences in pressure (higher moves to lower pressure ), these systems are called Hadley cells
where are Hadley cells located
between the equator and 30° north and south
what are the processes of the Hadley cells (3)
hot air rises at 30° north and south
air cools and condensation occurs
dry air descends and forms deserts
what is the difference between anti cyclone, and cyclones (2)
Anti-Cyclones:high pressure systems that bring cool calm weather
Cyclones:Intense low pressure systems that brings unstable weather conditions
