Review 19 Flashcards
(40 cards)
Layers of atmosphere
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
Radiation
all forms of energy that travel through space as waves
Conduction
the transfer of energy as heat through a material
Convection
the movement of matter due to differences in density that are caused by temperature variations; can result in the transfer of energy as heat
Coriolis effect
the curving of the path of a moving object from an otherwise straight path due to Earth’s rotation
Global winds
looping patterns of air flow, called convection cells, that move from the poles to the equator
Trade winds
prevailing winds that blow from 30° to 0° latitude in both hemispheres
Westerlies
prevailing winds that blow from west to east between 30° and 60° latitude in both
Polar easterlies
prevailing winds that blow from east to west between 60° and 90° latitude in both hemispheres
Front
polar easterlies meet warm air from the westerlies, creating a stormy area
What do scientists use to measure atmospheric pressure?
Barometer
What can air pollution do?
Damage the ozone layer, contaminate surfaces, etc.
What are the two different types of barometers and how do they work?
Aneroid and mercurial barometers; aneroid baromoters contain sealed metal containers that have partial vacuums, where changes in pressure causes bending or bulging, those changes move a pointer; mercurial barometers contain mercury, pressure pressed down on the liquid, mercury rises
What do temperature inversions cause?
Smog (smoke and fog)
What are the most abundant elements and compounds in the atmosphere?
Most abundant elements: Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Argon
Most abundant compounds: Carbon Dioxide and Water Vapor
How does radiation from the sun get to Earth?
Travels through space as waves, is absorbed or reflected by Earth’s surface and atmosphere
Know the percentages for how much radiation is absorbed and reflected by Earth’s surface and in the atmosphere.
approximately 70% is absorbed, while around 30% is reflected back out into Space
Certain types of radiation are absorbed, some are not. Which ones are, which ones aren’t?
Short waves are absorbed in the atmosphere since they are harmful, longer ones can get through.
When the radiation is absorbed by Earth’s surface, what kind of energy is it converted to?
Thermal energy
What time of day is it hottest and why?
The afternoon is hottest because the sun is hitting Earth at a very high angle
What angles do the sun’s rays strike the equator vs. the Poles?
Sunlight strikes the equator at around 90 degrees, while the Poles are struck at 0 degrees
Doldrums and Horse latitudes, where they’re located.
Doldrums meet at the equator in a narrow zone, Horse latitudes are located around 30 degrees north and south of the equator
Jet streams
a narrow band of strong winds that blow in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere
What affects local wind patterns?
Local temperature variations