Quest 12/11/23 Flashcards
latitude
distance north and south of the equator
longitude
distance east and south of prime meridian
albedo
percent of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface
tropic of cancer
sunlight rays directly on the tropic of cancer on 6/21, 23 1/2 degrees north
tropic of capricorn
sunlight rays directly on it on 12/21, 23 degrees south
windward
side facing the wind (left side of mountain)
leeward
side not facing the wind (right side of mountain)
adiabatic heating
the heating effect of increased pressure on air as it sinks towards the surface of the Earth and decreases in volume.
orographic lifting
enhances and makes rain/snow harder
coriolis effect
the deflection of an object’s path because of the rotation of the earth
el nino
a reversal of wind and water currents in the south pacific
la nina
trade winds in the south pacific reverse strongly as opposed to an el nino which causes regions that were hot and try to become cooler and wetter
chinook winds
molecules condensing, increases temperatures, very dry.
troposphere
most dense layer, weather takes place
stratosphere
jet stream and ozone / protects from UV
mesophere
coldest sphere
thermosphere
less dense layer
exosphere
least dense layer (hottest)
latitude is _____. Latitude is measured in ____. Each _____ is equal to __ miles (exact and absolute location)
distance north and south of the equator; degrees; degree; 70
longitude is ____. Longitude is measured in ____. Each ____ is equal to ___ miles. (exact and absolute location)
distance east and west of the prime meridian; degrees; degree; 70 miles.
How does latitude affect warming on Earth?
1) angle variation at which the rays of the sun strike the earth
2) variation in the amt of surface area over which the sun’s rays are distributed
3) some areas on Earth reflect more solar energy than others- referred to as its albedo
higher albedo= more sunlight reflects = lower absorption
average albedo on earth is 30%
Layers of the atmosphere
nitrogen: 78%
oxygen: 21%
misc gas: 1%
these gases make earth substantially warmer
Storms in the northern hemisphere rotate ______ while in the southern hemisphere they rotate ______. This is due to the ______
counter clockwise; counter clockwise; coriolis effect
the coriolis effect works in ways that makes things travelling ____ distances around the _____ appear to move in a _____ rather than a ______ line. The Coriolis effect affects _____ patterns, ocean ______, and even _______
long; earth; curve; straight; weather; currents; airplanes
which part of Earth rotates faster?
Equator
Why do storms spin counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere?
The low pressure zones and the fact that it spins faster at the equator (high rotation).
Ocean currents
important factor for global climates that moves warm or colder water across the world (ex: Gulf stream and Alaska Current)
What drives ocean currents?
temperature, gravity, prevailing winds, coriolis, salinity, location of continents
the earth’s surface is warmed ____ by the sun
unevenly
the ____ absorbs and stores more ____ than the ______
ocean; heat; atmosphere
The atmosphere moves heat _____, while the ocean moves it _____
quickly; slowly
At the oceans surface, _____ drive currents
winds
the “ocean conveyor belt” is also known as the _______
thermohaline circulation
deeper ocean currents are driven by _______. Mixing and ____ transport _____ rich waters to the surface.
Differences in density; upwelling; nutrient
An ____ is a circular moving body of water that spins of a main current. They play a major rule in transporting ____ and ______.
eddy; heat; nutrients
t/f: the mesosphere is the coldest layer of the atmosphere
t
if you were living in argentina, what would be the “longest” day of sunlight in the calendar year
december 21
which of the following would have the highest albedo?
snow
which of the following statements is true?
Earth’s atmosphere is composed of 68% Nitrogen, 31% Oxygen, and 1% miscellaneous gasses.
Earth’s atmosphere is composed of 78% Nitrogen, 25% Oxygen, and 1% miscellaneous gasses.
Earth’s atmosphere is composed of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1% miscellaneous gasses.
None of the answers listed are correct.
Earth’s atmosphere is composed of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1% miscellaneous gasses.
t/f meteors will often burn up in the thermosphere
f
which layer of the atmosphere would be considered the densest
troposphere
which layer of the atmosphere is the “ozone layer” a part of
stratosphere
which area on Earth would you expect to find higher levels of solar energy being absorbed and less being reflected
tropical rainforest
Earth has an approximate latitude of 42oN. Approximately how many miles is Connecticut located from the Equator?
2,940
On which day would you expect to find the Sun’s rays directly above the equator?
september 21
Which of the following is true of a typical El Nino (ENSO) year?
upwelling decreases off the coast of Southern America, causing a decrease in fish populations and fishery production
Based off history, which climatic pattern is more favorable for hurricane development in the Atlantic Ocean?
El Nino
La Nina
La Nina
How often on average does an El Nino event occur?
typically every 3-7 years
On which date during the year would you typically expect an El Nino or La Nina event to really kick in?
christmas
Which ocean is the most affected by an El Nino or La Nina climatic event?
Pacific
When did the tuscaloosa storm occur?
April 27, 2011
What US state did this storm take place?
Alabama
Adiabatic heating occurs when ____________________________________.
air moves to lower altitudes therefore increasing the pressure and decreasing the volume of the air
If you were examining the currents found in deep ocean waters, which of the following would affect the currents the most?
density/salinity
Adiabatic heating is most commonly associated with _______________.
chinook winds on the leeward side of a mountain
Why are hurricanes uncommon in California?
the cold Alaska current impedes hurricane development
Cyclones in the northern hemisphere rotate ________________.
counter clockwise due to the Coriolis Effect
El Nino
trade winds bring warmer air and water towards North and South America
-winters lack polar jet, limiting storms in New England
-winters more stormy in Southern US due to southern jet stream
La Nina
trade winds bring colder air and water towards North and South America
-winters do involve polar jet, but can lack the southern jet
-winters often stormy in the northern US
What is latitude?
the distance north or south of the equator
What causes storms to rotate clockwise in the southern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere?
Coriolis Effect
t/f Albedo should be very high near a tropical rainforest.
f
t/f Adiabatic heating is less common during a La Nina event due to a weak polar jet stream.
f
The sun’s rays are directly above the Tropic of Capricorn. What day of the year is it?
dec 21
t/r The exosphere is less dense than the thermosphere.
t
t/f The troposphere is less dense than the thermosphere.
f
t/f Meteor Crater is located in Arizona and gave scientists insight as to where to begin their investigation as to how the Earth was made.
t
Which of the following is not true concerning El Nino?
El Nino usually occurs every 2-7 years, contains a strong subtropical jet stream which bring above average precipitation to the southern United States and an increase in hurricane development
How does latitude affect warming on Earth?
changes in the surface area over which the sun’s rays are distributed
t/f Orographic lifting would be stronger in Peru than it is in Washington.
t
What causes the enhanced precipitation rates found on the windward side of a mountain?
orographic lifting
If you travelled a total of from 240W to 170E, how far did you travel?
2,870 miles
t/f Nitrogen makes up approximately 72% of the gasses found in Earth’s atmosphere.
f
