Glossary S201 Flashcards
What is 30 year mean surface temperature?
30-year mean surface temperature
The Earth’s surface temperature at some location or over some region, averaged over a period of 30 consecutive years. (Note: if the region extends to the entire Earth’s surface, this would become the 30-year global mean surface temperature (GMST).) Averaging over 30 years is a convention used by meteorologists to characterise measurements of climatic conditions, such as surface temperature and rainfall, which reduces the influence of short periods of unusual or unrepresentative conditions.
What is the 3 carbon pathway?
3-carbon pathway
Is the biochemical process used by certain plants (known as C3 plants) living in temperate climates to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into 3 carbon sugar compounds during photosynthesis.
What is the 4 carbon pathway?
4-carbon pathway
Is a biochemical process used by certain plants (known as C4 plants) to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into four-carbon sugar compounds during photosynthesis. Photosynthesis in such plants are very efficient in hot, dry climates and many foods we eat are C4 plants, like maize and sugar cane.
What is the abbreviated structural formula?
abbreviated structural formula
A simplified structural formula that shows explicitly only the chemical bonds between carbon atoms that form the backbone of a molecule together with any bonds to functional groups. Examples are CH3-CH2-CH3 (propane) and CH3-CH2-OH (ethanol).
What is absolute dating?
absolute dating
A means of obtaining the quantitative age of a geological material or event. Most absolute ages are obtained by radiometric dating techniques. Compare with relative dating.
What is absolute plate motion?
absolute plate motion
The speed and direction of movement (i.e. the velocity) of a lithospheric plate with respect to a fixed frame of reference, typically to a hot spot within the Earth’s mantle.
What is absolute risk?
absolute risk
The risk of developing a condition over a period of time.
What is absolute scarcity?
absolute scarcity
When there is less than 500 m3 of water per capita per year.
What is absolute temperature scale?
absolute temperature scale
(Also known as the Kelvin scale.) A temperature scale for which the zero corresponds to the lowest possible temperature, absolute zero. The unit of temperature on this scale is the kelvin, and this is the SI unit of temperature. To convert a temperature on the absolute scale into a temperature on the Celsius scale, subtract 273.15 from the numerical value of the temperature in kelvin.
What is absolute zero?
absolute zero
The lowest possible temperature. At this temperature the atoms and molecules in a substance have the minimum possible kinetic energy. Absolute zero is 0 kelvin (K) on the absolute temperature scale, and -273.15 °C on the Celsius scale.
