The atmosphere Flashcards
what is the atmosphere?
The atmosphere is a thin layer of air surrounding the Earth.
what does the atmosphere do?
Acting as a screen and blocking out the dangerous rays from the Sun
(UV rays).
Ensuring a stable climate on Earth by retaining heat.
Including oxygen (cellular respiration) and carbon dioxide
(photosynthesis)
What is atmospheric pressure?
Air exerts a pressure because it contains particles that are colliding with one
another. These collisions determine the atmospheric pressure; the more collisions,
the higher the atmospheric pressure (see p.224).
What happens when the air becomes warmer?
When the air is warmer, particles move faster and collide more often so the
pressure increases.
Why does pressure decrease with altitude?
Number of particles: When the number of particles decreases, the pressure
decreases. This is why pressure decreases with increasing altitude.
What is the Coriolis effect?
Earth changes its trajectories through what is called
the Coriolis effect. This causes winds to deviate to the
right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
(Est) What is the Hadley cell?
The Hadley cell: warm air over the equator rises and cools as it travels north or
south.
(est)What is a prevailing wind?
winds that blow from a single direction over a specific area of the Earth. These winds also play an important roll in spreading contaminants throughout the globe.
(est)What direction do polar easterlies move in?
East to west
(est)What direction do westerlies move in?
west to est
(Est) what is a trade wind
Trade Winds: Easterly winds moving East to west near the equator.
Advantages and disadvantages of wind energy.
It is the energy that can be drawn from the wind. Wind energy is renewable, which
means that it can regenerate naturally and efficiently as it is used. It also does not
emit greenhouse gases. However, some people believe that the towers ruin the
beauty of the landscape and are very noisy (sound pollution). It is also impossible to
predict when or how fast the wind will blow and this type of energy cannot be
stored.
What is an air mass?
Air masses are large regions of the atmosphere with uniform temperatures and
humidity. They can change the weather due to winds.
What is a front?
When two air masses meet, the denser cold air slides under the lighter warm air.
The line where those two air masses meet is called a front.
What is a warm front?
A warm front forms when a mass of warm air moves toward a mass of cold air. The
warm air rises gently over the cold air and creates light clouds (nimbostratus)
resulting in cloudy weather and light showers.
What is a cold front?
A cold front occurs when a mass of cold air meets a mass of warm air. The warm air
rises quickly and in a steep slope over the cold air, and then cools. This results in
condensation that forms puffy clouds (cumulus), which often produce wind and
heavy rain.
What is the weather produced by an anticyclone?
Clear skies and stable weather
What is the weather produced by a depression?
Precipitation and if it’s strong it can cause hurricanes or typhoons.
(est) What substances are considered contaminants for the atmosphere?
Substances that are considered contaminants are:
Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides play a role in acid rain.
Metals like mercury, arsenic, and lead that come from the combustion of fossil
fuels, burning garbage, and glass making are toxic to humans.
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) destroy the ozone layer.
Dust and other particles coming from factory chimneys and exhaust pipes can
damage the respiratory system.
(est)What is responsible for the destruction of the Ozone
cfcs used in refrigeration
systems and aerosol cans are responsible for the
destruction of the ozone layer.
(Est) what is smog?
smog is when the ozone combines with sulfur dioxide or nitrogen dioxide.
