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Science - 1206 > Science weather dynamics > Flashcards

Science weather dynamics Flashcards

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1
Q

What do dark surfaces do with energy?

A

Absrob it

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1
Q

What affects the amount of energy a surface absorbs?

A

The color of a surface

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2
Q

What is albedo?

A

The reflectivity of a surface.

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3
Q

What is a heat sink?

A

A substance that absorbs and retains energy without changing state.

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4
Q

Why is water a better heat sink than land?

A

Because of its higher specific heat capacity.

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5
Q

What causes different amounts of solar energy to be absorbed?

A

The Earth’s tilted axis.

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6
Q

When is Earth closest to the sun?

A

January

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7
Q

What gases contribute to the greenhouse effect?

A

Water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane.

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8
Q

What do greenhouse gases do with infrared radiation?

A

They absorb it and give off heat.

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9
Q

How is thermal energy transferred from the surface to the air?

A

Conduction

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10
Q

What process circulates warm air upward and cool air downward?

A

Convection

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11
Q

What is the main source of thermal energy for air near the surface?

A

longer-wavelength infrared energy

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12
Q

What is atmospheric pressure?

A

pressure exerted by air on its surroundings.

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13
Q

What is the atmospheric pressure at sea level?

A

About 101.3 kPa.

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14
Q

What happens to air density as altitude increases?

A

Air density decreases.

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15
Q

Why do your ears “pop” at high altitudes?

A

To balance the pressure between your middle ear and the external atmosphere.

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16
Q

What happens when atmospheric pressure decreases?

A

Warm, humid air approaches, and temperature increases.

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17
Q

What happens to air’s capacity to hold water vapor as temperature increases?

A

It increases.

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18
Q

What is the dew point?

A

The temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor.

19
Q

What is latent heat of fusion?

A

The heat needed to change a substance between solid and liquid.

20
Q

What is latent heat of vaporization?

A

The heat needed to change a substance between liquid and gas.

21
Q

What happens during evaporation?

A

Energy is absorbed to turn liquid into gas.

22
Q

What happens during condensation?

A

Energy is released when water vapor becomes liquid.

23
Q

How does evaporative cooling affect water bodies?

A

It helps maintain a stable temperature.

24
Q

What is an air mass?

A

A large body of air with uniform temperature, humidity, and pressure.

25
Q

What are the characteristics of air masses in winter and summer?

A

Arctic: Cold/Dry
Continental Polar: Very cold/Dry
Continental Tropical: Warm/Hot
Maritime Polar: Cold/Humid
Maritime Tropical: Warm/Hot

26
Q

What happens in a high-pressure system?

A

Air cools, sinks, and creates clear skies.

27
Q

How do winds rotate in high and low-pressure systems?

A

High: Clockwise (North), Counterclockwise (South)
Low: Counterclockwise (North), Clockwise (South)

27
Q

What is the Coriolis effect?

A

The Coriolis effect is a change in the direction of moving air, water, or any objects on Earth’s surface due to its rotation.

28
Q

What happens in a low-pressure system?

A

Air warms, rises, and forms clouds.

29
Q

What are trade winds?

A

Winds that blow from east to west (30 degrees north and south).

30
Q

What is the direction of prevailing westerlies in norther hemisphere ?

A

West to east

30
Q

How does the Coriolis effect influence winds in the northern hemisphere?

A

In the northern hemisphere, the Coriolis effect deflects winds to the right.

31
Q

Polar easterlies :

A

Cold winds from the poles (east)

32
Q

Air at the equator..

A

Rises and moves to 30

33
Q

What is the mixture of gases that makes up the atmosphere?

A

Nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases.

34
Q

Where does all weather take place?

A

Trophosphere

35
Q

What is the lithosphere made of?

A

Land

36
Q

What does the hydrosphere include?

A

Water on or near Earth’s surface.

37
Q

What does the biosphere consist of?

A

life on land, in water, and in the atmosphere.

38
Q

How does radiation transfer energy?

A

Through electromagnetic waves.

39
Q

What is conduction?

A

Transfer of thermal energy between objects in direct contact.

40
Q

What is convection?

A

Transfer of thermal energy by movement of heated material.

41
Q

What is advection?

A

Horizontal movement of air.

42
Q

What percentage of solar energy is absorbed by land and ocean?

A

50%

43
Q

What percentage of solar energy is absorbed or scattered by the atmosphere?

A

20-23%

44
Q

What is lithosphere made of

A

Rocks and minerals that form the crust.

Science - 1206 (3 decks)

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