meow Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is the system concept?
Breaking down complex problems into smaller, more easily studied pieces.
What are isolated systems?
Systems that prevent the exchange of matter and energy with their surroundings.
What are closed systems?
Systems that permit the exchange of energy but not matter.
What are open systems?
Systems that can exchange both energy and matter.
What type of system is Earth?
A closed system with energy coming in as solar radiation and leaving as infrared radiation.
What must remain within closed systems on Earth?
Earth’s resources, such as minerals and fossil fuels.
What are the four open systems on Earth?
Atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
What are the layers of the atmosphere and their altitudes?
- Troposphere: 0-12 km
- Stratosphere: 12-50 km
- Mesosphere: 50-80 km
- Thermosphere: 80-700 km
- Exosphere: 700-10,000 km
What is horizontal transfer in the context of Earth’s systems?
Wind and ocean currents transfer heat from the tropics towards the poles.
What are the methods of vertical heat transfer from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere?
- Terrestrial radiation
- Conduction
- Convection currents
- Transfer of latent heat via condensation
Cold Front
A mass of cold air. Results in a fall in temperature, may bring rain and storms.
Transpiration
biological process in which water is lost via the pores in leaves.
Precipiation
when large masses of moist air are cooled rapidly below dew point.
