Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

GGH1501 > unit 3- key processes in physical enviro > Flashcards

unit 3- key processes in physical enviro Flashcards

1
Q

radiation

A

energy travels through space by electromagnetic waves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

angle of incidence

A

angle solar radiation strikes particular place

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

how / why do day length varies:

A

due:

  • angle sun strikes earth
  • orbit around sun
  • earths rotation on axis

Summer solice: N.Hemisphere tilts to sun
Winter solice: N. Hemisphere tilts away from sun

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

energy exchange

A

occurs by radiation, conduction, convection +latent heat transfers
- radient energy sent -> earth- shortwave radiation
returns->space-longwave radiation
NB: radiation NB process of heat transfer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Define wavelengths + 2 ranges

A
  • distance b.ween successive waves, like waves of pond
  • effects behaviour of energy when strikes matte

2 ranges:shortwave energy (sun)
: longwave energy ( radiation by earth)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define Oceanic circulation

A
  • wind direction affects ocean surface
  • wind salinity + temp affect SUBsurfac circulation
  • patterns vary over year
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

percipitation

A

humid air rises - cause condensation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

4 causes why air rises (precipitation)

A

1) convection: air on ground expands +become less dense, rises through cooler air above (conventional storms)
2) orographic uplift : horizontal winds move air against mountain ranges.
: forces air rise as passes over, cools down + causes condensation + precipitation
3) convergent precipitation: low pressure drawing air around surroundings
4) front : boundary b.ween 2 air masses
: cool air less dense, warm air rises over cool air, :along fronts precipitation occurs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

tectonic plate FRAMEWORK

A
  • relative motion b.ween plates create large scale landforms @ plate boundaries
  • crust thin / rigid 45km
  • rock beneath crust (mantle)
  • motion of mantle causes tectonic plates to make earth crust move e.g earthquake
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

convergent plate boundaries:

A
  • plates push together
  • material slowly forces down by collision back into mantle
  • mantle moves: causes VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

divergent plate boundaries:

A
  • plates spread apart
  • rates of movement is very slow
  • boundaries under water (mid-atlantic)
  • areas-volcanic activity in erupting lava creates new crust
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Tectonic plate boundaries

A

boundary neither convergent / divergent but grind past each other
-transforms plate boundaries ( Californias San Andreas fault)
plates bind for long periods + abruptly slip, causes earthquakes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

geological hazards (volcanoes + earthquakes)

A

volcanoes:
heat generates magma (molten rock)
magma reaches surface->forms volacanoe
clustered along boundaries b.ween TECTONIC plates
TYPES: shield volcanoe (runny lava cools, forms rock (basalt), called this due to its shape
: composite cone volcanoes( mixture lava +ash, thick, gassy+erupts through vent

Earthquakes:
sudden movement of earth crust
clustered along PLATE boundaries 
measured 0-9 logarithmic scale
3-4 minor; 5-6 breaks windows ; 7-8 devastating
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

define weathering + name types

A
  • rocks decay upon exposure-air +water
  • breaking rocks->pieces (boulders, pebbles, sand
  • without weathering, force gravity + water cant move

CHEMICAL WEATHERING:

  • rocks broken down (e.g oxidation) through chemical reaction on earths surface
  • due to exposure-water, air / decaying vegetation
  • landscape changes by chemical reaction + movement-water
  • first step in soil formation

MECHANICAL WEATHERING:
-break down rocks->smaller particles caused physical +mechanical forces

CHEMICAL + MECHANICAL work together to break down rocks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Oxidation

A

form of chemical weathering

  • o2 comes contact iron bearing rocks + creates iron oxide (red colouration)
  • caused rocks to weather
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Define surface erosion

A
  • heavy rains, soil cant absorb all, water overflows across surface
  • wind + water accelerated when soil surface is exposed
  • if no vegetation on ground, suffer more erosion
  • eroded soil->pollutes water
17
Q

Food chains & webs

A

link between plants-> herbivores->carnivores-> decomposers

18
Q

Define Biomes

A
  • group ecosystems on earth
  • Terresterial biome (climate + vegetation)
    e. g tropical forest, desert, shrub, ice cape
  • forest, woodland biomes: area surplus moisture
  • grassland, desert, tundra: areas have limitations on plant growth
  • photosynthesis rates higher in high moisture, warm temp + a lot nutrient areas
19
Q

8 MAJOR BIOMES

LQ

A

1: tropical forest (Costa Rica)
2: tropical savannah (East Africa, dry)
3: desert shrub: (Australia, scarce moisture)
4: Mediterranean woodland shrub + grassland( Spain, a lot of fire)
5: Broadleaf / mixed+ coniferous forest
6: coniferous forest (moderate temp + rainfall)
7: mid- altitude prairie+ steppe grassland (hot summer, cold winter)
8: tundra (cold- Greenland)
9: ice cap

20
Q

Define Streams + types:

LQ

A
  • sediments are carried by running water
  • create floodplains with meandering channels
  • collect water from groundwater + overland flow
TYPES:
MEANDERING (winding) 
-caused by erosion at one place (water cant soak into soil, overflow, picks up soil particles) + deposition downstream in floodplains
-outside has steep river bank
-slow flow- inside bend (deposits)
-faster flow- outside bend (erosion)

FLOODPLAINS: low laying surface

21
Q

consequences of global warming:

LQ

A
  • fewer cold day / nights (warmer)
  • more hot day / nights (warmer)
  • increase in heat waves
  • increase heavy precipitation
  • increase in drought areas
  • increase intense tropical cyclones
  • increase high sea level (tsunamis)
22
Q

Define Soil & 5 major properties factors:

LQ

A
  • dynamic, porous layer minerals +organic matter, vital in supporting earths biosphere
  • takes place slowly over 1000’s years

5 Factors:
1) PARENT MATERIAL (mineral matter of soil is formed)
2) CLIMATE (regulates water movement+biological activity) ( water passes through soil, leaches out soluble minerals)
(humid climate=low amount soluble minerals like sodium)
3)BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY (plants+animals move minerals +add organic matter to soil)
4)TOPOGRAPHY( amount water present in soil through drainage+ erosion)
5)TIME (soil development takes long)

23
Q

What is horizons?

A

layers of soil properties (leave on top, decay insects, organisms + water, weathered parent material etc.)

24
Q

soil types

A

HISTOSOLS: dead organic matter (cold antartic climate)
OXISOLS: red, high iron oxide, low nutrients (S.America)
ALFISOL: brownish, under forest cover + high organic fertility matter (Europe)
ARDISOL: rich soluble minerals, no water to remove minerals, ow organic matter ‘cos low plant growth (desert shrub Australia)
MOLLISOL: rick, black soil

NB: erosion removes top part-soil (most fertile part)
removes nutrients + ability to store water

25
Q

impact soil on desert shrub / dry areas

A

-soil links water, air, rock + organisms in ecosystem
-food chains (photosynthesis produces carbs for herbivores + carnivores -> decomposers) but because green plants cant produce cards- wont be a lot plant eating animals
-living organisms compete for resources (water, nutrients, sun etc)
…lack water in arid areas= survival- most suited species (moisture stress)
…bare areas on ground + fewer vegetation
…soil + climate determine type plants (drought tolerant like grass-humid areas) (cacti- dry areas)

GGH1501 (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions