unit 3- key processes in physical enviro Flashcards
radiation
energy travels through space by electromagnetic waves
angle of incidence
angle solar radiation strikes particular place
how / why do day length varies:
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
energy exchange
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
Define wavelengths + 2 ranges
- 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)
Define Oceanic circulation
- wind direction affects ocean surface
- wind salinity + temp affect SUBsurfac circulation
- patterns vary over year
percipitation
humid air rises - cause condensation
4 causes why air rises (precipitation)
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
tectonic plate FRAMEWORK
- 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
convergent plate boundaries:
- plates push together
- material slowly forces down by collision back into mantle
- mantle moves: causes VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS
divergent plate boundaries:
- plates spread apart
- rates of movement is very slow
- boundaries under water (mid-atlantic)
- areas-volcanic activity in erupting lava creates new crust
Tectonic plate boundaries
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
geological hazards (volcanoes + earthquakes)
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
define weathering + name types
- 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
Oxidation
form of chemical weathering
- o2 comes contact iron bearing rocks + creates iron oxide (red colouration)
- caused rocks to weather
Define surface erosion
- 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
Food chains & webs
link between plants-> herbivores->carnivores-> decomposers
Define Biomes
- 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
8 MAJOR BIOMES
LQ
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
Define Streams + types:
LQ
- 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
consequences of global warming:
LQ
- 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)
Define Soil & 5 major properties factors:
LQ
- 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)
What is horizons?
layers of soil properties (leave on top, decay insects, organisms + water, weathered parent material etc.)
soil types
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
impact soil on desert shrub / dry areas
-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)
