water and the environment Flashcards
1
Q
more complicated why water is so vital
A
- good at trapping radiation, vapour in the atmopshere has a very strong greenhouse effect
- cools earth by reflecting sunlight
2
Q
where is earths water mainly found
A
- oceans (96.5%)
- land
- ice and snow
- atmosphere
3
Q
what are subtropical dry zones
A
- australia, some of the mid latitude locations in the US
4
Q
why can the atmosphere not hold alot of water vapour in polar regions
A
- so cold and low precipitation
5
Q
how much wetness does different area experience
A
- tropical regions are very wet
- subtropics are dry
- mid-lattitudes are wet
6
Q
why does precipitation vary with latitude
A
- differences in solar energy
- global circulation of air in the atmosphere
- ascending air in the tropics
- descending air in the subtropics
- in the mid latitudes caused by cyclones from earths earths rotation and uneven distribution of solar energy
7
Q
what causes precipitation
A
- fronts in high/low pressure systems- cold and warm air meet
-convection- strong quick heating makes air parcels unstable and they ascend rapidly
-orography
8
Q
what is saturation vapour pressure
A
- pressure exerted by the maximum amount of water an air parcel can hold
9
Q
ways to achieve air saturation
A
- add water vapour
- cool the air
- mix cold air with warm, moist air
10
Q
what is the clausius clapeyron relationship
A
- crucial for water cycle under climate change
- where more water vapour when there is a warm atmosphere
- dependance on water vapour of temperature
11
Q
how are dry and wet regions classified
A
dry- precipitation minus evaporation less than 0
wet- precipitation minus evaporation is more than zero
12
Q
how is p minus e balanced
A
- by transport of water vapour in the atmosphere
13
Q
classic equation of hydrology
A
- s= P-E- Ro (surface runoff) - Ru ( subterranean runoff)
