Unit 4A - The Atmosphere

Question 1

Albedo

Answer 1

Ability of a surface to reflect light. Higher for snow, lower for dark soil or pavement.

Question 2

Atmosphere

Answer 2

A thin layer of gases surrounding Earth; mainly nitrogen and oxygen.

Question 3

Climate

Answer 3

The average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time (at least 30 years).

Question 4

Convection Current

Answer 4

A current caused by the rising of heated fluid and sinking of cooled fluid

Question 5

Corolis Effect

Answer 5

The effect of Earth’s rotation on the direction of winds and currents, causing them to turn left in the southern hemisphere and right in the northern hemisphere.

Question 6

El Niño

Answer 6

A periodic change of climate conditions that occurs in the equatorial Pacific, when trade winds weaken causing less upwelling.

Question 7

Elevation

Answer 7

The height above sea level; altitude.

Question 8

ENSO

Answer 8

The El Niño Southern Oscillation, the combined effects of El Niño and La Niña climate conditions.

Question 9

Equator

Answer 9

Imaginary line drawn around the earth equally distant from both poles, dividing the earth into northern and southern hemispheres and constituting the parallel of latitude 0°.

Question 10

Equinox

Answer 10

The two days of the year on which neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun; once in March and once in September.

Question 11

Exosphere

Answer 11

The outer layer of the atmosphere extending into outer space that is the thinnest layer with molecules far apart.

Question 12

Infrared Radiation

Answer 12

Electromagnetic waves with wavelengths that are longer than visible light but shorter than microwaves.

Question 13

Insolation

Answer 13

Incoming solar radiation from the sun.

Question 14

La Niña

Answer 14

A periodic change of climate conditions that occurs in the equatorial Pacific, with stronger tradewinds and increased upwelling.

Question 15

Latitude

Answer 15

Distance north or south of the equator.

Question 16

Mesosphere

Answer 16

The middle and coldest layer of the atmosphere where meteors burn up, between the stratosphere and thermosphere

Question 17

Precipitation

Answer 17

Any form of water that falls from clouds and reaches Earth’s surface; including rain, snow, and hail.

Question 18

Prevailing Winds

Answer 18

The predominant direction of the movement of air in a particular place or season.

Question 19

Rain Shadow Effect

Answer 19

Low precipitation on the leeward side of a mountain when prevailing winds flow up and over a high mountain or range of high mountains.

Question 20

Solstice

Answer 20

The two days of the year on which the sun is farthest north or south of the equator leading to the longest day in one hemisphere and the shortest in the other; occurs in June and December.

Question 21

Stratosphere

Answer 21

The second-lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere; where the ozone layer is found.

Question 22

Thermosphere

Answer 22

The region of the atmosphere above the mesosphere and below the exosphere, where temperature increases as altitude increases, Northern Lights occur here.

Question 23

Troposphere

Answer 23

The lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere; most dense layer of air; where weather occurs.

Question 24

Upwelling

Answer 24

The movement of deep, cold, and nutrient-rich water to the surface.

Question 25

Weather

Answer 25

The conditions of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place.

Question 26

Wind

Answer 26

The movement of air from an area of high pressure to one of low pressure.

Question 27

Biome

Answer 27

A group of ecosystems with similar climates and organisms

Question 28

Global Ocean Conveyor Belt

Answer 28

A constantly moving system of deep-ocean circulation driven by temperature and salinity

Question 29

Ferrel Cell

Answer 29

Cell that moves air form 30 degrees to 60 degrees latitude

Question 30

Greenhouse Effect

Answer 30

Natural situation in which heat is retained in Earth’s atmosphere by carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other gases

Question 31

Gulf Stream

Answer 31

A warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico northward through the Atlantic Ocean

Question 32

Hadley Cell

Answer 32

Convection Currents that cycle between the equator, 30 degrees North and South.

Question 33

Longitude

Answer 33

Distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees

Question 34

Ocean Gyre

Answer 34

An ocean gyre is a large system of circular ocean currents formed by global wind patterns and forces created by Earth’s rotation.

Question 35

Ozone Layer

Answer 35

A layer in the stratosphere that contains a concentration of ozone sufficient to block most ultraviolet radiation from the sun

Question 36

Polar Cell

Answer 36

A convection current in the atmosphere, formed by air that rises at 60 degrees N and 60 degrees S and sinks at the poles, 90 degrees N and 90 degrees S

Question 37

Thermohaline Circulation

Answer 37

Water circulation produced by differences in temperature and/or salinity (and therefore density), As ocean water freezes at the poles it concentrates salt, and the colder, denser water sinks.

Question 38

Aurora Borealis

Answer 38

A colorful, glowing display in the Thermosphere caused when particles from the sun strike oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the ionosphere; also called the Northern Lights