Unit 5 Weather & Climate A "Exemplary"

Question 1

Describe the main characteristic that scientists use to divide the atmosphere into layers.

Answer 1

Scientist use variations in temperature to divide the atmosphere into four vertical layers.

Question 2

Explain why the upper stratosphere is warmer than the lower stratosphere.

Answer 2

The ozone layer in the upper stratosphere absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This energy is converted into thermal energy that warms the upper stratosphere.

Question 3

Explain what causes the convection cells in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Answer 3

Unequal heating (differential heating) of the Earth’s surface, where one area heats faster than another area, causes the air to circulate in loops in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Question 4

Describe the difference between humidity and relative humidity.

Answer 4

Humidity is the amount of water vapor in a given volume of air.

Relative humidity is the ratio of the amount of water vapor in the air to the maximum amount of water vapor that air can contain at that temperature.

Question 5

What is the cause of global warming and the effects it has on the biosphere?

Answer 5

Increased greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels is the cause of global warming.

Global warming has the effect of decreasing sea ice, loss of permafrost, mountain glacier loss, sea level rise and an increased frequency of extreme weather events.

Question 6

Describe the conditions on Earth during an ice age.

Answer 6

Ice ages are periods when climates are colder than usual and glaciers cover a large portion of Earth’s surface thus lowering sea levels.