Review 19 Flashcards
Layers of atmosphere
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
Radiation
all forms of energy that travel through space as waves
Conduction
the transfer of energy as heat through a material
Convection
the movement of matter due to differences in density that are caused by temperature variations; can result in the transfer of energy as heat
Coriolis effect
the curving of the path of a moving object from an otherwise straight path due to Earth’s rotation
Global winds
looping patterns of air flow, called convection cells, that move from the poles to the equator
Trade winds
prevailing winds that blow from 30° to 0° latitude in both hemispheres
Westerlies
prevailing winds that blow from west to east between 30° and 60° latitude in both
Polar easterlies
prevailing winds that blow from east to west between 60° and 90° latitude in both hemispheres
Front
polar easterlies meet warm air from the westerlies, creating a stormy area
What do scientists use to measure atmospheric pressure?
Barometer
What can air pollution do?
Damage the ozone layer, contaminate surfaces, etc.
What are the two different types of barometers and how do they work?
Aneroid and mercurial barometers; aneroid baromoters contain sealed metal containers that have partial vacuums, where changes in pressure causes bending or bulging, those changes move a pointer; mercurial barometers contain mercury, pressure pressed down on the liquid, mercury rises
What do temperature inversions cause?
Smog (smoke and fog)
What are the most abundant elements and compounds in the atmosphere?
Most abundant elements: Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Argon
Most abundant compounds: Carbon Dioxide and Water Vapor
How does radiation from the sun get to Earth?
Travels through space as waves, is absorbed or reflected by Earth’s surface and atmosphere
Know the percentages for how much radiation is absorbed and reflected by Earth’s surface and in the atmosphere.
approximately 70% is absorbed, while around 30% is reflected back out into Space
Certain types of radiation are absorbed, some are not. Which ones are, which ones aren’t?
Short waves are absorbed in the atmosphere since they are harmful, longer ones can get through.
When the radiation is absorbed by Earth’s surface, what kind of energy is it converted to?
Thermal energy
What time of day is it hottest and why?
The afternoon is hottest because the sun is hitting Earth at a very high angle
What angles do the sun’s rays strike the equator vs. the Poles?
Sunlight strikes the equator at around 90 degrees, while the Poles are struck at 0 degrees
Doldrums and Horse latitudes, where they’re located.
Doldrums meet at the equator in a narrow zone, Horse latitudes are located around 30 degrees north and south of the equator
Jet streams
a narrow band of strong winds that blow in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere
What affects local wind patterns?
Local temperature variations
What are the prevailing winds that dominate the U.S.?
Westerlies
Which way will the wind curve through the Coriolis effect?
North from equator, curves east.
Identify common forms of particulates.
Pollen, dust, dirt, volcanic ash, salt…
What causes auroras?
Interactions between solar radiation and the ionosphere
Know the water cycle.
Evaporation, condensation, precipitation.
What causes particulates?
Tiny particles from various sources being suspended in the atmosphere for months or years
All radiant energy reaches Earth as a form of
electromagnetic waves
Solar energy warms Earth when radiation is
absorbed
The gas that makes up most of Earth’s atmosphere is
Nitrogen
The atmospheric layer that is closest to Earth and where all weather conditions exist is
The troposphere
The main source of pollution is
The burning of fossil fuels
Mesosphere
the coldest layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature decreases as altitude increases
Stratosphere
A layer of the atmosphere in which temperature increases as altitude increases; contains the ozone layer
Thermosphere
the uppermost layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature increases as altitude increases; includes the ionosphere
What makes up a global wind belt?
Trade winds, westerlies, and polar easterlies
Prevailing winds that blow throughout the contiguous United States are called
westerlies
