Term
| 3 Componets of Air and Percentages |
|
Definition
78% Nitrogen
21% Oxygen
1% other gases |
|
|
Term
| Layers of the Troposphere |
|
Definition
1. Troposphere- Densest layer, where we live, where weather occurs; Temperature decreases with altitude
2. Stratosphere- Contains Ozone layer, absorbs MOST UV-B, UV-C radiation. Higher altitudes are warmer than lower
3. Mesosphere- Temperature decreases with altitude
4. Thermosphere- blocks X-ray/UV radiation. This layer creates Northern/Southern lights.
Exosphere- farthest away from Earth, least dense |
|
|
Term
| Give 3 Reasons why the Earth's surface is unevenly heated. |
|
Definition
1. The angle of the Sun's rays on the Earths axis (23.5 degrees)
2. Variation in the amount of surface area over which the suns rays are distributed.
3. Some areas reflect more solar energy than others. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| density, water vapor capacity, adiabatic heating/cooling, and latent heat release. |
|
|
Term
| Explanation of the 4 Properties of air (how it circulates in the atmosphere) |
|
Definition
1. Density- density of air determines movement. Dense air sinks. Less dense air rises.
2. Water Vapor Capacity- Warm air has a higher capacity for water vapor than cold. The lower the temperature, the lower the saturation point which makes the vapor condense into water forming clouds and making rain.
3. Adiabatic Heating/Cooling- Response to a change in pressure. As air rises higher, pressure decreases allowing air to expand wich lowers temperature. opposite for heating.
4. Latent Heat Release- Production of heat when water goes from gas- liquid. When water vapor condenses into water, energy is released. |
|
|
Term
| What is the first two steps in the formation of Hadley cells? |
|
Definition
1. At the ITCZ (intertropical convergence zone), the Sun heats the most tropical air, causing it to rise.
2. The rising air experiences adiabatic coolling, which causes water vapor to condense into rain and fall back to Earth. |
|
|
Term
What are the last 3 steps in the formation of a Hadley Cell?
|
|
Definition
1. The condensation of water vapor produces latent heat release. This causes the air to expand and rise farther up into the atmosphere.
2. The warm, rising air displaces the cooler, drier air above it to the north and south.
5. The cool, dry air sinks and experiences adiabatic heating. It reaches Earth's surface as warm, dry air, and then flows back toward the equator. |
|
|
Term
| Why are objects deflected? |
|
Definition
| The Coriolis Effect- the deflection of an object's path due to EARTH'S ROTATION |
|
|
Term
Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere
What direction are objects deflected in each?
|
|
Definition
Northern- Right
Southern- Left |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Because of Earth's tilt (23.5 degrees) |
|
|
Term
| Describe the four soltices for Northern hemisphere. |
|
Definition
1. March Equinox- Spring begins
2. June Solstice- Summer begins
3. September equinox- Fall begins
4. December Solstice- Winter Begins |
|
|
Term
| What drives the prevailing wind patterns that occur worldwide? |
|
Definition
| Pressure systems (High to Low, Low to high) |
|
|
Term
| Describe the types of wind. |
|
Definition
Starting at the North Pole
Easterlies
Westerlies
NE Trade winds
SE Trade winds
Westerlies
Easterlies |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphree condenses into liquid water. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of the Earth, extending approx. 16 km and containing most of the atmospheres, nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The maximum amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The heating effect of increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of Earth and decreases in volume. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A convection current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator and 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The average weather that occurs in a given region over a long period of time. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface.
ex: Forests/ocean have a low albedo and ice caps have a high albedo. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The cooling effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A convection cell in the atmosphere formed by air that rises at 60 degrees north and 60 degrees south and sinks at the Poles (90 degrees N, S) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A large-scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. |
|
|
Term
| El Nino- Southern Oseillation *ENSO |
|
Definition
| The periodic changes in winds and oceans currents, causing cooler and wetter conditions in the southeastern US and unusually dry weather in southern Africa and Southeast Asia. |
|
|
Term
| intertropical convengence zone *ITCZ |
|
Definition
| An area of Earth that recieves the most intense sunlight; where the ascending branches of the 2 hadley cells converge. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A region with dry conditions found on the leeward side of a mountain range as a result of humid winds from the ocean causing precipitation on the windward side. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The deflection of an objects path due to the rotation of Earth. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Powerful funnel of air associated with a severe thunderstorm.
Formation: Mass of cool air collides with warm, humid air; Produces a strong updraft of spinning air under a cloud; spinning funnel becomes a tornado when it descends from cloud. |
|
|
