Questions Flashcards
how do gg lead to climate change
they absorb thermal energy in the atmosphere
how could a volcanic eruption lead to global cooling
it blocks out solar radiation
what is climate like in WI
The Wisconsin climate is typically continental
how is climate different than weather
climate is the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period. Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a current time.
how does latitude affect the amount of light energy that the earth recives
One of the primary factors affecting the unequal heating of the Earth’s atmosphere is latitude. Latitude is the measurement of the distance of a location on the Earth from the equator. The further away from the equator that a location resides, the less sunlight that this location receives.
how does the greenhouse effect lead to the heating of the earth? why is this a good thing for us?
When sunlight reaches the surface of the Earth, some of it is absorbed which warms the ground and some bounces back to space as heat. Greenhouse gases that are in the atmosphere absorb and then redirect some of this heat back towards the Earth. helpful in these ways:
- More Usable Land
- Longer Growing Seasons
- Extra CO2 For Plants
- Northwest Passage Becomes Reality
- Arctic’s Resources Become Accessible
- Less Energy Required For Heating
- Warmer Weather is Healthier
- Warmer Weather is Healthier
- People Enjoy Sunny Climates
- Increased Interest in Alternative Energy
how does the greenhouse effect contribute to climate change?
“greenhouse effect”— warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. gg in the atmosphere block heat from escaping.
what is an air mass? how do they form? how are they modified?
a large body of air with generally uniform temp. and humidity. they form in source regions. they gain properties of the underlying region.
what is el nino? what causes it? what kind of forecast would be logical given a warm el nino?
a climatic phenomena caused by the movement of warm water from the western to eastern pacific. caused by southern oscillation.
how does a hurricane form?
warm water evaporates, making it humid and forming clouds. winds coming together force air upwards. winds flow outward above the storm, allowing the air to rise. humid air makes the clouds of the storm, light winds outside the hurricane steer it and let it grow.
what causes a hurricane to strengthen?
warm water, warm air, low pressure
what causes a hurricane to weaken?
cool water, cool air, high pressure
how do wetlands decrease the intensity of hurricanes?
the wetlands soak up the oncoming water from a hurricane
how are hurricanes affected by climate change?
the increasing temp. of the earth is warming the water, and creating more humid air, creating perfect conditions for hurricanes to form. Now, there are less of them, but the few we have are more intense.
what front is low pressure?
cold
