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GRADE10 #7 > The Atmosphere > Flashcards

The Atmosphere Flashcards

1
Q

Why is water vapor an important compound to air?

A

Because it’s responsible for cloud formation and precipitation, (it also contains suspended solid particles that come from the surface of the Earth)

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2
Q

What is the atmosphere?

A

The layer of air surrounding the Earth.

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3
Q

The atmosphere is made up of gases that are necessary for what? (Name 2 things)

A
  1. Acting as a shield against UV rays

2. Retaining heat to ensure a stable climate on Earth

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4
Q

What 3 gases does the atmosphere include?

A
  1. Oxygen
  2. Carbon dioxide
  3. Water vapour
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5
Q

Why does air exert a pressure?

A

Because it contains particles that are colliding with one another, (the more collisions, the higher atmospheric pressure).

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6
Q

How can atmospheric pressure be measured?

A

By using barometer.

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7
Q

What 2 things does atmospheric pressure depend on?

A
  1. Height of a place above sea level

2. Gravity with an increase in altitude

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8
Q

What happens at higher altitude?

A

The density and temperature of the air are decreasing, so the number of the collisions are decreasing, thus the pressure is decreasing.

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9
Q

What 2 things cause air movement?

A
  1. Convection, (circulation cells)

2. Temperature variations

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10
Q

What happens to the moving air around the Earth?

A

It rises above the equator, heads towards the poles, then sinks to dry regions.

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11
Q

What’s happening at the same time as the Earth rotates?

A

Convection: the cold polar air makes its way to the equator.

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12
Q

What happens to the air during atmospheric circulation?

A

Air masses move in a straight line, (north to south and vise versa) but since the Earth rotates, it changes their trajectories.

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13
Q

ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION: What are prevailing winds?

A

Major atmospheric currents that blow in a certain direction given by the atmospheric circulation.

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14
Q

How are prevailing winds created?

A

Air movement within the cells.

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15
Q

What will effect how air pollutants disperse?

A

Prevailing winds.

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16
Q

What are air masses?

A

Large regions of the atmosphere with uniform temperature and humidity.

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17
Q

What can change the weather?

A

Winds.

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18
Q

The warm air masses in Quebec come from where?

A

Tropical regions.

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19
Q

The cold air masses in Quebec come from where?

A

Polar regions.

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20
Q

What is a front?

A

Where air masses meet.

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21
Q

What happens when 2 air masses meet?

A

The cold air slides under the hot air.

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22
Q

What’s a warm front?

A

Warm air mass moving into a cold mass.

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23
Q

What’s a cold front?

A

High pressure air mass moving into a warm mass.

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24
Q

What happens to the moisture in the air as it cools?

A

Condensation and precipitation.

25
Q

When does precipitation occur?

A

When the air is warm because it rises and encourages cloud formation.

26
Q

What type of clouds form when a warm front forms?

A

Lousy clouds, (since there’s low pressure).

27
Q

What type of clouds form when a cold front forms?

A

Fluffy clouds, (since there’s high pressure).

28
Q

When does air sink?

A

When the air cools, (high density).

29
Q

When does air rise?

A

When the air warms, (low density).

30
Q

What happens when there’s a depression?

A

It’s when the air warms, because the air mass becomes lighter and rises, which leaves an empty space under it, (low pressure) which causes clouds and precipitation.

31
Q

What’s anticyclone?

A

The cold air sinks and makes high pressure, (the area of high pressure is called an anti-cyclone),

32
Q

Why does anticyclone make the weather happy?

A

It’s when the air cools and the pressure is high so there are no clouds.

33
Q

What pressure systems are associated with clouds and precipitation?

A

Low-pressure systems.

34
Q

What are high pressure systems associated with?

A

Normally with dry weather and mostly clear skies with fluffy light clouds.

35
Q

What type of weather is it if there’s low pressure?

A

Lousy weather.

36
Q

Where do strong depressions form?

A

Over warm waters of tropical oceans.

37
Q

What happens when a cyclone/hurricane/etc forms?

A

A huge spiral with heavy winds form.

38
Q

What’s the purpose of the greenhouse effect?

A

It’s a natural process that allows the Earth to keep in some of the heat it receives from the sun.

39
Q

What are the 4 greenhouse gases in our atmosphere?

A
  1. Water Vapour
  2. Carbon Dioxide
  3. Methane
  4. Nitrous oxide
40
Q

What do we use fossil fuels for?

A

Energy production.

41
Q

What negative consequence would occur if we didn’t have the greenhouse effect?

A

The Earth would be extremely cold.

42
Q

How does the greenhouse effect work?

A

Most of the sun’s rays are absorbed by the surface, some infrared rays are shot back into space, and some infrared rays are absorbed into the atmosphere.

43
Q

For thousands of years, the amount of greenhouse gases remained constant. How?

A

CO2 was emitted by volcanic eruptions and cellular respiration and was balanced by photosynthesis.

44
Q

What 3 human activities emit too many greenhouse gases?

A
  1. Transportation of Fossil Fuels
  2. Production of Fossil Fuels
  3. Red meat
45
Q

What contributes to climate change?

A

Global Warming.

46
Q

What 2 things play a role in acid rain?

A
  1. Sulphur dioxide (SOx)

2. Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

47
Q

What 3 metals come from the combustion of fossil fuels, burning garbage, and glass making?

A

They’re all toxic to humans

  1. Mercury
  2. Arsenic
  3. Lead
48
Q

What’s the element of the Ozone?

A

03

49
Q

What is the ozone layer?

A

A chemical filter that absorbs UV rays.

50
Q

What’s smog?

A

Ozone that chemically combines with sulphur dioxide or nitrogen dioxide, (a mixture of fog, smoke, and other air pollutants).

51
Q

When is ozone harmful towards us?

A

At low altitudes.

52
Q

What are the 2 advantages of wind energy?

A
  1. Renewable

2. No emissions

53
Q

What are the 2 disadvantages of wind energy?

A
  1. Weather dependant

2. Ugly

54
Q

How do wind turbines work?

A

Huge machines with gigantic blades. When the wind rotates the blades, it activates an electric generator hidden in the nacelle.

55
Q

What’s passive heating systems?

A

It naturally heats the air.

56
Q

What’s photovoltaiccells?

A

Solar panels. When sunlight hits the material, it allows electrons to move which makes an electric current.

57
Q

What’s solar collectors?

A

Glass panels that capture heat to warm up the air, homes, etc.

58
Q

What are the 2 advantages to solar panels?

A
  1. Renewable

2. Zero-emissions

59
Q

What are the 3 disadvantages to solar panels?

A
  1. Expensive
  2. Ugly
  3. Sun dependent

GRADE10 #7 (3 decks)

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