Shared Flashcard Set

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Physical Geography
Unit 1
36
Geography
Undergraduate 1
09/16/2009

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Cards

Term
On which axis does the earth rotate?
Definition
North/ South
Term
Earth's orbit is a what?
Definition
Ellipse with the sun at one focus
Term
When is the sun closest to the earth?
Definition
around January 3rd (Perihelion)
Term
When is the sun farthest from the earth?
Definition
around july 3rd (aphelion)
Term
At what degree is Earth's axis inclined?
Definition
23 1/2 degrees
Term
What is the solstice?
Definition
1 of 2 points in earth's orbit where the axis leans at the maximum angle of 23.5 toward the sun.
Term
What is Equinox?
Definition
1 of 2 points in earth's orbit where the axis is perpendicular to the suns rays and neither pole has any inclination toward the sun
Term
What is energy>
Definition
the ability to do work
Term
What is solar energy called?
Definition
electromagnetic energy
Term
How is electromagnetic energy transferred to the earth(without a medium)?
Definition
radiation of energy waves
Term
what is wavelength?
Definition
distance from crest to crest, or trough to trough, etc..
Term
what is wave amplitude?
Definition
the wave height from trough to crest
Term
what is wave frequency
Definition
the number of waves passing a given point over a set time period
Term
what is the electromagnetic spectrum?
Definition
the range of energy transferred as electromagnetic waves
Term
How fast does energy travel, and how long does it take to get from the sun to the earth?
Definition
186,000 mi/sec
9 1/3 minutes
Term
How much of the sun's total energy output is intercepted by earth?
Definition
1/2,000,000,000
Term
Troposphere
Definition
first layer
8-9 in thick
80% of the total mass of atmospheric gasses
friction layer= first 5000-7000ft
Term
Tropopause
Definition
temperature decline levels off (isothermal)
Term
Stratosphere
Definition
fairly stable temperatures, but begins to increase at about 19 miles
ozone occurs above 20 mi
uv light from sun strikes ozone molecules and heats them
Term
stratopause
Definition
temperature increase levels off (isothermal)
Term
Mesosphere
Definition
temperature decrease
Term
Mesopause
Definition
temp decrease levels off (isothermal)
Term
Thermosphere
Definition
temperature increase
Term
Exoshpere
Definition
interplanetary space
Term
What happens to air when it is compressed?
Definition
it warms up
Term
What are 3 things that happen to solar radiation?
Definition
Scattered, absorbed, reflected
Term
Scattering
Definition
particles and gas and vapor molecules momentarily capture energy, then disperse it in all directions
Term
Absorption
Definition
ozone absorbs high wavelength (UV) energy; CO2 and water vapor absorb longwave (IR) energy.
Term
Transmissivity
Definition
the measure of the radiation which "makes it" to earth's surface. This unimpeded energy is said to pass through atmospheric or radiation windows. The solar energy intercepted by a surface is called insolation
Term
What is energy balance?
Definition
energy in= energy out
Term
What is energy budget?
Definition
the way the actual amounts of energy entering the system are accounted for
Term
Greenhouse effect
Definition
allows build up of atmospheric temp and still maintains the energy balance
Term
What are the forms of heat transfer in earth's system?
Definition
radiation, turbulent transfer, latent heat transfer
Term
Turbulent Transfer
Definition
conduction and/or convection
Term
What are the forms of heat transfer in earth's system?
Definition
radiation, turbulent transfer, latent heat transfer
Term
Latent Heat Transfer
Definition
energy is required to change water to water vapor

water vapor represents stored energy

condensation reps energy

energy is redistributed on planet
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