Unit 1 Flashcards
What is the definition of weather?
(what you get)
condition of the atmosphere for a specific location for a short period of time
What is the definition of climate?
(what you expect)
long term predictable patterns of the conditions in the atmosphere
How is the structure of the atmosphere layered?
divided into 4 main zones extending from the Earth outwards.
1. Troposphere
2. Stratosphere
3. Mesosphere
4. Thermosphere
What are the three characteristics of the Troposphere?
Altitude range (miles) = 7.5 <
Temp change = 20 - 60 degrees Celsius
Upper boundary name = Tropopause
What are the three characterisitics of the Stratosphere?
Altitude range (miles) = 7.5 - 31
Temp change = -60 - 0 degrees Celsius
Upper boundary name = Stratopause
What are the three characteristics of the Mesosphere?
Altitude range = 31 - 50 miles
Temp change = 0 - -90 degrees Celsius
Upper boundary name = Mesopause
What are the two characteristics of the thermosphere?
Altitude range = 50 - 440miles
Temp change = -90 - 50 degrees Celsius
What is atmospheric pressure and what is it measured in?
the weight of the atmosphere, and is measured in millibars or mb
What percentage of the atmosphere is composed of nitrogen and oxygen?
nitrogen = 78%
oxygen = 21%
What is insolation?
the incoming energy from the sun hits the Earth in the form of light energy referred to as INcoming SOLar radiATION
What is the atmospheric heat budget?
Only about half of the insolation that reaches the outer atmosphere is absorbed by the Earth’s surface
What is latent heat?
heat that is absorbed or released by the change in state of water
What is sensible heat?
this is the transfer of energy by the processes of conduction and convection
How does conduction work? and what are thermals?
conduction = when the ground heats the air above it
thermals = pockets of rising airs
What % of insolation is absorbed in the atmosphere?
23%
What % of insolation is reflected and scattered back to space?
31%
Why have some places have a higher or lower % of insolation reaching the surface?
the angle of incidence
the higher the Earth’s latitude decreases the temperature, because it passes through a greater distance of the atmosphere
Which latitudes produce a net negative energy balance for the heat budget?
high latitudes above 35 degrees north and south of the equator
Which latitudes produce a net positive energy balance for the heart budget?
low latitudes between 35 Degrees north and south of the equator
receive more insolation than outgoing radiation
Draw the atmospheric circulation diagram?
draw it
What are two ways that energy is transferred globally?
- global atmospheric circulation
- ocean currents
How does a low pressure system work?
occurs when warm air rises up through the atmosphere
How does a high pressure system work?
occurs when cold air descends down through the atmosphere
What are the three atmospheric convection cells?
Hadley
Ferrel
Polar
What is the ‘Coriolis Effect’?
The spinning of the Earth affects the direction of the wind
Which way do the winds spiral when in a high pressure system?
clockwise
Which way do the winds spiral in a low pressure system?
anti - clockwise
How do ocean current patterns play a role in the transfer of energy in the globe?
- warm and cold oceans don’t mix, however they can affect temperatures inland
- wind picks up temp and blows it inland
What effect does the warm North Atlantic Drift current have on the climate in the U.K?
The wind passes over the warm ocean keeping the U.K’s winters warm
What is the definition of continentality?
refers to the difference in climate resulting from a location located within the centre of a large landmass
How does continentality affect the climate in the centre of the continent compared to coastal regions?
centre of continent = drier, cooler
coastal regions = warmer, wetter
What is the definition of Specific Heat Capacity?
is the amount of energy required to raise 1 gram of a substance by 1 degrees celcius
What is the specific heat capacity of water?
water has to absorb 4.184 joules of heat for the temperature of 1 gram of water to be raised by 1 degrees
What is the specific heat capacity of land?
1 joule
What is lapse rate?
change in temperature with altitude, related to moisture content (latent heat)
How does precipitation and altitude affect the weather and climate?
explain orographic rainfall
How does altitude and aspect effect the weather/climate?
south facing slope = warmer
