Unit test Flashcards
Define Weather
state of the atmosphere at a particular place at a particular time. (heat, dryness, sunshine, rain, wind)
Define Climate
Weather conditions in an area over a long period of time (min of 30 years)
Define Biosphere
Regions of the surface, atmosphere and hydrosphere of the earth occupied by living organisms. (thin layer of earth suitable for supporting life)
Zones of Biosphere
Lithosphere (Land)
Hydrosphere (Water)
Atmosphere (Air)
Lithosphere
(land) is the outer solid part of the earth (crust). It floats on the semi molten mantle. Life is found to depths of several kms
Hydrosphere
All of the earths water. 97% marine salt waters and 3% fresh water which is still mostly frozen.
Atmosphere
It rises over 500km from the surface of earth. it is composed of different gases. It is the most abundant one. it contains varying amount of suspended particle matter called atmospheric dust that can have living or non living organisms.
Atmospheric Zones
Troposphere, Stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere.
Troposphere
0-10km above sea level
- oxygen content capable of supporting life
- are where ‘weather’ occurs due to the clouds
- temp decreases with altitude and average temp is 15 C.
Stratosphere
-Ozone and ozone layer (contains most ozone gas)
10-40km above earths surface
-temp increases with distance from surface
-starts at -60C and goes to 0 C,
-Clumps of cells but no other life found.
Mesosphere
40-50km above surface
-temp decreases from 0C at bottom to -100 C at top.
Thermosphere
50-300km above surface
- temp increases from -100 C to 1500 C.
- Little gas found in these layers
- Temp change is not fully understood yet
Climate change
- change that occurs in the climate of a region over a min of 30 years
- the change is found by the average temp over the years
3 adaptations made by organisms for climate change
- Cactus (Dry climate) Has fat leaves to prevent water loss.
- Snow animals (cold climate) have tiny ears to minimize heat loss.
- Elephants (Hot climate) Have large years to maximize heat loss.
Difference between Anecdotal evidence and scientific evidence.
Anecdotal evidence is evidence stated by people and scientific evidence is evidence collected and interpreted in a scientific manner.
Thermal Energy
Internal energy of an object (heat)
Radiant energy
energy that travels in waves or particles. Particularly electromagnetic radiation.
Insolation
amount of solar energy (how much sun) is received by a region of the earths surface.
Angle of Inclination
refers to the degree of the earths tilt from the poles (23.5 degrees)
When is it summer in the Northern Hemisphere
When the North pole is tilted towards the sun
When is it winter in the Northern Hemisphere
When the North pole is tilted away from the sun
Equinox
When one of the two points in the earths orbit have equal amount of daylight hours and amount of night hours.