Chapter 2

Question 1

Climate VS weather

Answer 1

Climate is an average weather pattern over a long period of time, whereas weather is short scale and more place specific

Question 2

Solar radiation

Answer 2

emitted by all objects. Shortwave by sun, long wave by earth

Question 3

Sunlight or electromagnetic radiation

Answer 3

8% UV
39% visible radiation (PAR)
53% IR

Question 4

PAR

Answer 4

Photosynthetically active radiation

• visible
• used by plants for energy

Question 5

UV radiation

Answer 5

• high energy/frequency
• absorbed/reflected by ozone
• dangerous, but needed for vitamin D

Question 6

IR radiation

Answer 6

Infrared.

• affects things like flowering times
• thermal energy (heat)
• absorbed by atmosphere
• influences greenhouse effect

Question 7

Adiabatic cooling

Answer 7

heat loss due to expanding air (high altitudes)

Question 8

Adiabatic lapse rate

Answer 8

rate of temperature change with elevation. Depends on humidity-dry air cools more quickly.

Question 9

Does a higher altitude increase or decrease in the pressure and density of air?

Answer 9

decrease.

Question 10

Coriolis effect

Answer 10

The earth’s rotation causes water and air to deflect. Clockwise in northern hemisphere, and counterclockwise in southern hemisphere

Question 11

Importance of snow and ice

Answer 11

• acts as an insulator
• source of water
• reflects solar radiation (albedo effect)
• increases cooling (affects climate)

Question 12

El Nino

Answer 12

• known to cause extreme weather conditions
• Peru wet, Australia dry
• increased convection

Question 13

Rain shadow

Answer 13

When rain is blocked, typically by mountain ranges

Question 14

Topography

Answer 14

physical structure of landforms. Influences precipitation

Question 15

Al Nina

Answer 15

“extra normal” weather conditions. Cause Peru to be cooler and dryer than normal, and Australia to be hotter and wetter than usual (coral reef bleaching)

Question 16

Why does the equator receive more solar radiation than polar regions?

Answer 16

Equator receives more direct radiation that does not need to travel as far.

Question 17

What is the consequence of latitudinal radiation patterns?

Answer 17

seasonal variation and day length

Question 18

Input vs. output of solar radiation?

Answer 18

Input:
- 51 units from incoming solar radiation
- 96 units radiated back to surface of earth
Output:
- 30 units reflected by clouds & atmosphere
- 117 units radiated by Earth surface

Question 19

What are the different fates of solar radiation as it approaches Earth?

Answer 19

• 19 units absorbed by clouds and atmosphere
• 30 units reflected and scattered by clouds and atmosphere
• 51 units penetrate to Earth surface