Topic 3: Climate Change

Question 1

Weather

Answer 1

Refers to the state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time

Question 2

Climate

Answer 2

The long-term pattern of weather conditions in a particular area, typically observed over a period of 30 years or more

Question 3

Earths Energy Budget

Answer 3

Refers to the balance between the energy earth receives from the sun and the energy it radiates back into space.

Question 4

Solar Radiation

Answer 4

Different types of light will interact differently with the atmosphere

Question 5

UV Radiation

Answer 5

Invisible, Causes sunburn, skin cancers and eye damage, Is absorbed in the mesosphere

Question 6

Infrared Radiation

Answer 6

Felt as heat, Is absorbed by both the troposphere and earths surface

Question 7

Visible Light

Answer 7

Colors that can be seen by the human eye, Is absorbed and reflected by earths surface, Reflected light becomes infrared

Question 8

Albedo Effect

Answer 8

Albedo refers to the amount of light a surface reflects

Question 9

Natural Greenhouse Effect

Answer 9

The atmosphere is made up of many greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation maintaining earths temperature.

Question 10

Solar Cycles

Answer 10

The amount of energy the sun produces follows a pattern. There are times a lot of energy is produced (solar maximum) and times a low amount of energy is produced (solar minimum). The whole cycles last ~ 11 years