Unit 2: Heating of the atmosphere Flashcards
How can you measure temperature?
It is measured using a thermometer containing either mercury or alcohol, which expands when heated and contracts when cooled
What are the types of radiation and where do they come from?
The sun heats the Earth in the form of short wave radiation or insolation (incoming solar radiation). the earth then re-radiates this in the form of long wave radiation or terrestrial radiation which is absorbs by water vapour of CO2 in the atmosphere
Explain radiation.
When the short wave rays reach the ground, or any other exposed surface, they are changed into longwave (infrared) waves which are radiated back into the atmosphere.
Explain conduction.
It takes place within the first meter of the atmosphere. In this process energy is transferred from one molecule to the next with out the molecules changing position. It’s more rapid if the molecules are tightly packed.
Explain convection.
More heat energy is distributed by the movement of molecules from one position to another. This process, which involves strong vertical movement, occurs in the atmosphere (gases) and in oceans (liquids).
Explain how heat can also be transferred when condensation occurs.
The heat used in the process of evaporation is stored in the water vapour as latent (hidden) energy. When the air rises and cools, condensation occurs and the latent energy is released.
Name 4 factors affecting temperature.
Latitude, altitude, ocean currents, distance from the ocean
How does latitude affect temperature? (Angle + Area, Atmosphere, Reflection)
It depends on the ANGLE and AREA, ATMOSPHERE, REFLECTION. If the suns rays hit the earth at a lower angle (at the poles) it has through more atmosphere meaning more of the heat is absorbed. When the rays hit at a lower angle they are spread over a wider area meaning the insolation is less direct. The more albedo an area has more of the energy will be reflected (more is reflected at the poles).
How does altitude affect temperature?
Temperatures decrease will increasing height so the higher above sea level the colder it will be.
How do ocean currents affect temperature?
Countries that have a cold current on their coast are colder and countries that have a warm current on their coast are warmer. (Warm Agulhas on Durban’s coast and Cold Benguela on Port Nolloth’s coast)
How does distance from ocean affect temperature? (5)
- Water is transparent so the suns rays go deeper
- Water moves around, spreading the heat
- Water cools down slower than land
- Water reflects the rays
- Evaporation uses up energy which slows down the
heating process.
What does NTLR stand for and what is it?
Normal Temperature Lapse Rate, it is the rate at which temperature decrease as altitude increases
What is a normal/positive lapse rate?
When temperatures decrease as altitude increases
What is a negative lapse rate?
When temperatures increase with a nd increase in altitude (temperature inversion)
Explain what greenhouse gases are.
Incoming radiation can pass through the atmosphere but some of the outgoing radiation gets trapped by gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapour (aka greenhouse gases) These gases are good because it means that the earths temperature is a temperature good for life, without it it would be to cold for life to form. However too many causes problems which is called the enhanced greenhouse affect
