planet earth final Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is the Atmosphere?
A layer of gases surrounding Earth, essential for supporting life, regulating temperature, and protecting from harmful solar radiation.
What is the composition of the Atmosphere?
- Nitrogen (N₂): ~75%
- Oxygen (O₂): ~23%
- Trace gases: Argon, CO₂, water vapor, etc.
What are the layers of the Atmosphere from surface upward?
- Troposphere: Weather occurs here; temperature decreases with altitude.
- Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer; temperature increases with altitude.
- Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere: Upper layers with decreasing atmospheric density.
What drives Earth’s climate and weather systems?
The Sun provides the energy through radiation.
What causes the seasons on Earth?
Earth’s axial tilt (23.5°) and orbit around the Sun, leading to variations in sunlight intensity and day length.
What is the significance of the Sun Angle (Angle of Incidence)?
It determines how concentrated solar energy is at a location; higher angles = more energy.
What causes precipitation?
Rising warm air cools, condenses, and forms clouds that lead to precipitation.
What is an Air Mass?
Large bodies of air with uniform temperature and humidity characteristics.
What are the types of Air Masses?
- Continental (dry)
- Maritime (moist)
- Polar (cold)
- Tropical (warm)
What is Atmospheric Pressure?
The force exerted by the weight of air in the atmosphere.
What are the characteristics of Low and High-Pressure Systems?
- Cyclones (Low Pressure): Air rises, cools, and condenses—associated with clouds and storms.
- Anticyclones (High Pressure): Air sinks and warms—associated with clear, dry weather.
What are the main types of Cyclones?
- Hurricanes: Large, tropical, rotating storms with strong winds and heavy rain.
- Mid-Latitude Cyclones: Form at boundaries between air masses in temperate regions; bring varied weather.
- Tornadoes: Small, intense, rotating columns of air formed from thunderstorms.
What is the definition of the Biosphere?
The global sum of all ecosystems; the zone where life exists, including land, water, and atmosphere.
How does energy flow in ecosystems?
Energy flows one-way (from Sun through organisms), while matter cycles continuously through ecosystems.
What is Photosynthesis?
Process by which plants convert solar energy, CO₂, and water into glucose (food) and oxygen: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + sunlight → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
What is a Food Chain?
A sequence showing how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another through feeding relationships.
What is the Carbon Cycle?
Movement of carbon among the atmosphere, biosphere, oceans, and geosphere.
What is the Nitrogen Cycle?
Nitrogen moves from atmosphere to organisms and back via processes like fixation and decomposition.
What is the Oxygen Cycle?
Movement of oxygen through respiration, photosynthesis, and other processes.
What is the Water Cycle?
Continuous movement of water via evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.
How do environmental conditions affect evolution and extinction?
Life adapts to environmental changes through evolution. Conditions can lead to new traits or cause species extinction.
What is an Ecosystem?
A community of organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment.
What is a Biome?
Large ecological regions defined by climate, vegetation, and wildlife.
What are Earth’s main biomes?
- Tropical Rainforest: Hot, humid, high biodiversity.
- Desert: Dry, low precipitation, extreme temperatures.
- Grassland: Moderate rainfall, dominated by grasses.
- Temperate Forest: Seasonal climate, deciduous trees.
- Taiga (Boreal Forest): Cold, coniferous trees.
- Tundra: Cold, treeless, low vegetation.
- Savanna: Warm, seasonal rainfall, scattered trees.
