Science weather dynamics Flashcards
What do dark surfaces do with energy?
Absrob it
What affects the amount of energy a surface absorbs?
The color of a surface
What is albedo?
The reflectivity of a surface.
What is a heat sink?
A substance that absorbs and retains energy without changing state.
Why is water a better heat sink than land?
Because of its higher specific heat capacity.
What causes different amounts of solar energy to be absorbed?
The Earth’s tilted axis.
When is Earth closest to the sun?
January
What gases contribute to the greenhouse effect?
Water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane.
What do greenhouse gases do with infrared radiation?
They absorb it and give off heat.
How is thermal energy transferred from the surface to the air?
Conduction
What process circulates warm air upward and cool air downward?
Convection
What is the main source of thermal energy for air near the surface?
longer-wavelength infrared energy
What is atmospheric pressure?
pressure exerted by air on its surroundings.
What is the atmospheric pressure at sea level?
About 101.3 kPa.
What happens to air density as altitude increases?
Air density decreases.
Why do your ears “pop” at high altitudes?
To balance the pressure between your middle ear and the external atmosphere.
What happens when atmospheric pressure decreases?
Warm, humid air approaches, and temperature increases.
What happens to air’s capacity to hold water vapor as temperature increases?
It increases.
What is the dew point?
The temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor.
What is latent heat of fusion?
The heat needed to change a substance between solid and liquid.
What is latent heat of vaporization?
The heat needed to change a substance between liquid and gas.
What happens during evaporation?
Energy is absorbed to turn liquid into gas.
What happens during condensation?
Energy is released when water vapor becomes liquid.
How does evaporative cooling affect water bodies?
It helps maintain a stable temperature.
