The Physical Environment

Question 1

Weather

Answer 1

• day-to-day state of the lower atmosphere
• inherently a short-term consideration
• generally confined to a specific geographic location

Question 2

Climate

Answer 2

• refers to atmospheric changes over longer periods of time, typically >30 years
• can be though of as the average weather conditions over long periods of time
• changing climates can lead to change in weather patterns

Question 3

Tropic

Answer 3

-derived from the greek word “trope” (turning point)
- sun “moves” between these latitudes within a year
- max. latitudes at which sun is located directly overhead

Question 4

Sol

Answer 4

• our sun
• energy emitted from Sol is vital for ecological processes here on earth, including driving climate patterns

Question 5

Solar Angle of Incidence

Answer 5

the differences in solar angle of incidence and the resulting differences in amounts of solar radiation received across latitudes are driving major climatic systems on our planet

Question 6

Dusk vs. Dawn

Answer 6

• amount of solar energy received at dawn and dusk is less that received at noon
• this is because the angle at which sunlight hits a specific portion of the earth is less direct at dawn and dusk than at noon

Question 7

Hadley Cells

Answer 7

• forms at the equator due to highest solar radiation received per unit area
• forms due to warm air rising, cooling and forming condensation at the equator
  -at 30 degrees latitude: airmasses descend, warm up, and absorb moisture

Question 8

Ferrel Cells

Answer 8

• they are not maintained by warming and cooling effects
• the strong energy of the surrounding cells that “drag the airmasses” with them

Question 9

Polar Cells

Answer 9

• are driven via warming and cooling effects
• the air masses rise at about 60 degrees
• air ascends and cools down and, closer to the poles, it descends as very cold air

Question 10

Coriolis Effect

Answer 10

• the earth is tilted and rotates from west to east
• earth rotates faster at the equator than at the poles

Question 11

Two types of Ocean Current

Answer 11

• surface current (10% of ocean, driven by the wind and tides, as wind blows, it drags water with it up to 400m)
• deep ocean currents (90%)

Question 12

What causes Surface Currents?

Answer 12

• the transfer of energy through friction
• energy transfers through deeper layers of water, but loses energy as depth continues

Question 13

What is an Ekaman Spiral

Answer 13

• at depth, the direction of water movement is the complete opposite of the initial wind direction
• as a result, the net transport direction of water will be 90 degrees than the surface wind direction

Question 14

What is Coastal Upwelling?

Answer 14

• wind-driven off-shore movement of water
• deeper waters replace displaced water nearshore
• deeper waters are nutrient-enriched

Question 15

Warm Currents

Answer 15

• originate at the equator
• raise average temperature and make them more humid and wetter

Question 16

Cold Currents

Answer 16

• transport water from the poles
• lower average temperatures and make coastlines very dry, leading to the formation of deserts

Question 17

Define Deep Ocean Currents

Answer 17

• driven via changes in the density of sea water
• as water moves towards the poles, they get colder and saltier
• salt is due to ice crystals that form trapping water and leaving salt behind
• colder, saltier water is denser and sinks, with warmer ocean taking its place in a process known as thermohaline circulation