The Atmosphere Flashcards
A ___ studies the ___ (mass of air that surrounds our planet)
meteorologist
atmosphere
Name the four gases that were the predominant components of the atmosphere when the Earth was formed
ammonia
methane
water vapor
carbon dioxide
Regarding the primary components of the Earth’s atmosphere, what are the percentages of -
Nitrogen Oxygen Argon Carbon dioxide Water vapor
78 21 1 .03 and rising varies
Since Oxygen was not present in the atmosphere billions of years ago, how was it formed?
When algae developed on the Earth (~500 million years ago), they performed photosynthesis and produced Oxygen from Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere
Humidity
Measure of the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere; usually expressed as percentage
We find high humidity in…
A place where the sun strongly heats a body of water like near an ocean and air rises over the water body
We find low humidity in…
A place where the sun heats a dry place and where air descends over land (like the desert)
Why is the sky blue?
Dust particles are present in the atmosphere. Sunlight contains all colors of the spectrum, but most of them pass straight through. The blue light is scattered by the atmosphere and the dust and reaches your eye
4 layers of the atmosphere from closest to farthest from earth
troposphere
stratosphere
ionosphere (or mesosphere)
exosphere (or thermosphere)
Troposphere
layer of atmosphere closest to earth. Between 6-10 mi. high. Weather occurs here. Temp decreases with increasing altitude
Stratosphere
Layer of atmosphere above troposphere. There is no weather here. Air is same comp as the troposphere but less dense. Contains the ozone layer that protects us from UV Radiation. Here, temp increases with height due to concentration of ozone
Ionosphere (Mesosphere)
Atmospheric layer above the stratosphere. Contains electrically charged (ionized) gases. These gases allow radio comm. by reflection of radio waves back to the Earth. Location ranges from 50-500 mi. above earth
Exosphere (Thermosphere)
Layer farthest from earth (above meso/ionosphere). Contains almost no gases (almost a vacuum). At farthest points, particles escape the Earth’s gravity and travel into outer space
Name region between troposphere and stratosphere
Troposause
Region between stratosphere and the mesosphere
Stratopause
Region between ionosphere and exosphere
Mesopause/Ionopause
The Northern Lights (or _____) and the Southern Lights (or ____) are produced by collisions between _____
aurora borealis
aurora australis
high energy particles from the sun and particles in the Earth’s ionosphere
Air pressure
The force of a given area exerted by the weight of the gases in the atmosphere. There are several units of measurement. Normal atmospheric pressure in different units: 14.7 pounds per square inch; 1 atmosphere; 760 torr or mm of mercury; 101.3 kilopascals
Barometer
Device (invented by Torricelli in 1643) for measuring atmospheric pressure. Consists of long tube filled with mercury, open at one end with a vacuum at the other closed end
How does a mercury barometer work?
Open end is immersed in a dish of mercury. When the at. pressure increases, the mercury in tube rises. A pressure decreas causes the mercury level to drop. A scale of marks on the side of the tube tell how much the pressure has changed (in a unit called “torr”)
3 factors that can change atmospheric pressure
altitude
humidity
air temp
As altitude increases, atmospheric pressure ____. Why?
decreases because there is less air that air is less dense
As humidity increases, atmospheric pressure ____. Why?
decreases because water vapor less dense than dry air
As air temp increases, atm. pressure ___. Why?
decreases; heated air particles move faster than cool particles and the air spreads out, becoming less dense/exerting less pressure
World Pressure Belts
Belt shaped regions of more constant atmospheric pressure levels that encircle the globe
4 primary pressure belts and give locations and pressure
- Doldrums - located at Equator; low pressure (due to hot temp)
- Horse latitudes: two bands on either side of doldrums; high pressure
- subpolar: two bands on either side of horse latitudes; low pressure
- polar: located at poles, high pressure (due to cold air temp)
Regarding heat energy: Particles of matter are in constant ….
motion
Regarding heat energy: in a hot substance, the particles move…
quickly
Regarding heat energy, in a cold substance molecules move…
slowly
Regarding heat energy: boiling water has ____ heat energy than ice
more
Radiant energy
Type of energy that comes from the Sun. Also called electromagnetic radiation
7 types of radiant energy from shorter to longer wavelenghts
cosmic rays gamma rays x-rays ultraveiolet radiation visible light infrared radiation radio waves (longer wavelengths)
All electromagnetic radiation travels at the ___ of ____
speed of light
3x10^8 m/second
Frequency, wavelength, and speed of an electromagnetic wave are related by the equation ….
speed = frequency x wavelength
As the frequency of an electromagnetic wave increases, the wavelength….
decreases
As the frequency of an electromagnetic wave increases, the speed…
remains the same (speed of light)
Reflection
When e.magnetic waves trike an object, they may be reflected (as in a mirror). The waves impact at a certain angle (angle of incidence) and leave at another specific angle (angle of reflection). Angles of incidence and reflection are equal.
Refraction
Commonly observed when a wave passes from one medium to another at an angle. Wave changes direction due to a change in its speed as it interacts with a new medium. Explains why a pencil appears bent when placed partially in water
Absorption
When e.magnetic radiation strikes an object, some wavelengths may be absorbed and some reflected. Which ones are reflected determines the color of an object. Ex: a red object reflects red light and absorbs the rest
2 types of waves
Transverse: electromagnetic waves, waves in a jump rope, water waves
Longitudinal waves: sound waves, an oscillating spring (think slinky)
Transverse waves
Particles making up a wave vibrate perpendicular to the wave motion
Longitudinal waves
Particles making up wave vibrate parallel to the wave motion (like as a sound wave travels toward you, air particles, vibrate back and forth in your direction)
High point of a transverse wave…
crest
Low point of a transverse wave…
trough
In a longitudinal wave, part where molecules are closer together is called ____
compression
In longitudinal wave, the part where molecules are farther apart is called…
rarefaction
Define Principle of Conservation of Energy
In closed system, the sum total of energy remains the same. Energy is neither created nor destroyed. However, energy may change forms
Ex: mechanical to heat, electrical to light
Insolation
Portion of the Sun’s radiation that is received by the Earth
3 factors that affect insolation
- angle at which radiation hits earth
- type of material it strikes
- material present in atmosphere
Equinox
Occurs twice a year: March 21: vernal equinox, and Sep. 23: autumnal equinox. Sun’s rays are direct and vertical to equator, therefore of max. intensity there. Day is equal length everywhere.
Summer solstice
Occurs on June 21. Sun’s rays strike directly at 23 degrees north latitude (tropic of Cancer) and are at max. intensity at this location
Winter solstice
Occurs on Dec. 21. Sun’s rays strike directly at 23 degrees south latitude (Tropic of Capricorn) and are at max. intensity at this location
Which absorbs solar radiation better, dark-colored or light-colored land?
dark
Which absorbs solar radiation better, smooth or rough land?
rough land
Which absorbs solar radiation better - forests, sand, or snow?
forests (most_
Snow (least)
The temp tends to be ___ on cloudy days because clouds ___ the Sun’s radiation. ___ absorbs ultraviolet radiation that is harmful to humans in large quantities
cooler
reflect
ozone
The equator is the ___ place on Earth because the Sun is ____ ___ most of the time. Other areas of the Earth are ___ because the Sun’s rays strike at ____ ____.
hottest
directly overhead
cooler
an angle
3 methods of heat transfer
conduction
convection
radiation
Conduction
Process where heat energy is transferred from one molecule to next like touching a hot pan
Convection
Transfer of heat within a substance by moving masses of fluid within the substance (like a radiator heating a room). Air currents move in a circular motion.
How does convection take place in the atmosphere? What are convection currents?
Similar to a radiator heating a room: the land absorbs the Sun’s radiation; air near the land heats up, becomes less dense and rises; cooler air sinks to replace the air that has just risen. These movements are convection currents
Radiation
Heating by radiant energy waves (e.magnetic waves), for example the UV radiation coming from sun can cause a sunburn. The sun heats the earth with infrared.
Greenhouse Effect
Heat energy traveling away from earth getting trapped by water vapor and carbon dioxide gas n the atmosphere and does not escape the Earth. Temp increases
When air is compressed it becomes ___; as it expands it ____. The temp of a mass of air sinking toward the Earth ____. A mass of air going to higher altitudes ____ heat
hotter
cools
increases
loses
Temp rises and falls during a 24 hour period because…
Different amounts of radiant energy from the Sun reach the atmosphere
Winter is colder than summer in the N. Hemisphere because…
During winter, the N. Pole is tilted away from the Sun. The Sun’s radiation strikes the N. Hemisphere at angle and is less concentrated. Also, fewer hours of daylight during winter.
Spring and fall have less extreme temps than winter and summer because-
Earth is neither tilted toward nor away from Sun; days and nights are of more equal length
How does the ocean influence the temp along the coast during the summer?
Ocean heats more slowly than land; remains at a lower temp than the land; absorbs heat from the land and lowers the temps in coastal regions
How does the ocean influence the temp along coast during winter?
During the winter, the ocean cools more slowly than the land; remains at a higher temp than the land; heats the air near it and raises the temp along the coast
How does temp change with altitude and why?
Temp decreases (to a point) with increasing altitude. The air is less dense (cooler) and farther from its primary source of heat (the Earth)
Freezing and boiling points of water in degrees Fahrenheit?
freezing - 32
boiling - 212
Freezing and boiling poionts of water in Celcius?
freezing - 0
boiling - 100
