Text D Energy 10.3 Distributing The Heat Flashcards
(150 cards)
1
Q
What causes solar energy to be absorbed unequally on Earth?
A
Earth’s spherical shape, tilt of its axis, and revolution around the Sun
2
Q
Where is solar heating greater?
A
In the tropics
3
Q
What is the heat deficit experienced at latitudes greater than 40° north or south?
A
More heat is radiated to space than is absorbed from solar radiation
4
Q
What is responsible for most of our weather and climate?
A
Heat imbalance
5
Q
What redistributes heat across Earth’s surface?
A
Ocean currents and currents of air
6
Q
What percentage of solar energy that reaches Earth is captured by green plants for photosynthesis?
A
0.023 percent
7
Q
What do ocean currents depend on?
A
Surface winds, water’s salinity and heat content, contours of the ocean bottom, and Earth’s rotation
8
Q
Why are oceans considered large heat reservoirs?
A
Water has a low albedo and absorbs more than 90 percent of solar energy striking it
9
Q
What is the specific heat capacity of water?
A
Water has a large specific heat capacity
10
Q
How much energy is required to change the temperature and phase of water?
A
A lot of energy
11
Q
What percentage of Earth’s surface do the oceans cover?
A
About 70 percent
12
Q
How is energy absorbed by water distributed?
A
Throughout a greater depth than it is on land
13
Q
What allows heated ocean water to be mixed downward?
A
Waves, turbulence, and subsiding ocean currents
14
Q
True or False: Mixing can happen over solid land surfaces.
A
False
15
Q
What is the primary effect of ocean currents on climate?
A
Ocean currents have a large effect on the weather in coastal areas and influence worldwide climate.
16
Q
What is the Gulf Stream?
A
A large surface current that starts in the Caribbean and flows along the eastern coastline of the United States and Canada.
17
Q
Where does the Gulf Stream end up?
A
Near the British Isles, where it is called the North Atlantic Drift.
18
Q
What is one unique feature of the Gulf Stream’s waters?
A
The waters are so warm that tropical fish can be caught offshore at New York or Boston.
19
Q
What happens to the air above the Gulf Stream water when it reaches North Carolina?
A
It is warmer than the surrounding air, containing more water vapor, which can create dense fogs.
20
Q
Why are oceans considered heat reservoirs for the planet?
A
They change temperature much more slowly than the atmosphere or land.
21
Q
What is the technical name for the Great Ocean Conveyor Belt?
A
Thermohaline circulation.
22
Q
When was the global pattern of ocean currents discovered?
A
In the 1990s.
23
Q
What is El Niño?
A
A disruption of the ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific that typically occurs every three to seven years.
24
Q
What happens to wind direction during an El Niño year?
A
The wind direction over the South Pacific reverses and flows eastward.
25
What is the effect of El Niño on sea-surface temperature?
It causes an increase in sea-surface temperature in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
26
What weather conditions can El Niño cause in South America?
Heavy rains over the west coast.
27
What weather conditions can El Niño cause in Southeast Asia and northern Australia?
Drought conditions.
28
What percentage of Earth's surface can El Niño affect?
25 percent.
29
What are the winter months during which El Niño produces warming in western North America?
January, February, and March.
30
What are some negative impacts of El Niño?
Floods, drought, and famine.
31
What beneficial impact does El Niño have on Atlantic hurricanes?
It reduces the intensity and number of Atlantic hurricanes.
32
What technology did early oceanographers use to chart ocean currents?
Early oceanographers used basic observational techniques.
33
What technology do oceanographers use today for thermal energy transfer?
Advanced technology such as satellite observations and ocean buoys.
34
The term 'thermohaline' refers to what two factors?
Temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline).
35
Fill in the blank: The waters of the Gulf Stream are so warm that ______ can be caught offshore at New York or Boston.
tropical fish
36
True or False: El Niño occurs every year.
False
37
What does El Niño mean in Spanish?
The little boy
38
What are the El Niño events that occurred in the late 20th century?
* 1986-1987
* 1991-92
* 1993-94
* 1997-98
39
Which El Niño events were the warmest in five decades?
* 1982-83
* 1997-98
40
What does La Niña mean in Spanish?
The little girl
41
What characterizes La Niña?
An increase in the strength of normal patterns of westward moving winds
42
What happens to the surface waters of the eastern equatorial Pacific during La Niña?
They cool
43
What climatic conditions does La Niña produce?
Wetter than normal conditions
44
What is the impact of La Niña on North America?
* Cold air from Alaska moves southward
* Eastern North America becomes warmer and drier
45
In which years did La Niña events occur?
* 1989
* 1996
46
What is the prevailing westerlies?
Winds moving generally from west to east
47
What does 'prevailing' mean?
Happening most of the time
48
What is the simplified model for understanding wind patterns based on?
The greater heating of Earth at the equator
49
What happens to warm air at the equator?
It rises and creates an area of low pressure
50
What creates high pressure in the atmosphere?
Cold air contracting, becoming denser, and descending
51
What are convection currents?
Movements of air that circulate and distribute heat around the world
52
At which latitudes does air descend in each hemisphere?
* 30° (N and S)
* 60° (N and S)
* The Poles
53
What is the surface area comparison between the equator and the poles?
Earth has a much larger surface area at the equator
54
True or False: Scientists fully understand the causes of El Niño and La Niña.
False
55
Fill in the blank: El Niño events are characterized by _______.
[warmer waters off the west coast of South America]
56
What model do meteorologists refer to for convection currents?
The three-cell model
## Footnote
This model describes the circulation of the atmosphere as influenced by Earth's rotation.
57
What is the speed of the atmosphere's rotation compared to Earth's rotation?
The atmosphere rotates at the same speed as Earth
## Footnote
This prevents strong winds from being felt at various latitudes.
58
What phenomenon causes moving objects on Earth's surface to veer sideways?
The Coriolis effect
## Footnote
This effect is due to Earth's rotation on its axis.
59
Why does the equator rotate at a greater speed than regions near the poles?
Because Earth is a sphere
## Footnote
The rotational speed varies based on latitude.
60
What is transported from the warmer subtropical regions at 35° latitude toward the poles?
Large amounts of heat
## Footnote
This occurs in both hemispheres.
61
Between which latitudes do ocean currents transport most of the heat?
Between 0° and 17° latitude
## Footnote
Ocean currents are more effective in heat transport in this range.
62
In how much time does Earth make one-quarter of a complete rotation?
In 6 hours
## Footnote
This affects the relative speed of points at different latitudes.
63
How does the speed of a point on the equator compare to a point at 30°N latitude when reaching the same line of longitude?
A point on the equator moves faster
## Footnote
This is due to the larger circumference at the equator.
64
What can satellite images of global wind patterns help you infer?
How thermal energy is transferred through the atmosphere
## Footnote
These images provide visual data on wind and heat distribution.
65
Fill in the blank: Convection currents tend to veer sideways due to the _______.
Coriolis effect
## Footnote
This effect is crucial for understanding weather patterns.
66
What model do meteorologists refer to for convection currents?
The three-cell model
## Footnote
This model describes the circulation of the atmosphere as influenced by Earth's rotation.
67
What is the speed of the atmosphere's rotation compared to Earth's rotation?
The atmosphere rotates at the same speed as Earth
## Footnote
This prevents strong winds from being felt at various latitudes.
68
What phenomenon causes moving objects on Earth's surface to veer sideways?
The Coriolis effect
## Footnote
This effect is due to Earth's rotation on its axis.
69
Why does the equator rotate at a greater speed than regions near the poles?
Because Earth is a sphere
## Footnote
The rotational speed varies based on latitude.
70
What is transported from the warmer subtropical regions at 35° latitude toward the poles?
Large amounts of heat
## Footnote
This occurs in both hemispheres.
71
Between which latitudes do ocean currents transport most of the heat?
Between 0° and 17° latitude
## Footnote
Ocean currents are more effective in heat transport in this range.
72
In how much time does Earth make one-quarter of a complete rotation?
In 6 hours
## Footnote
This affects the relative speed of points at different latitudes.
73
How does the speed of a point on the equator compare to a point at 30°N latitude when reaching the same line of longitude?
A point on the equator moves faster
## Footnote
This is due to the larger circumference at the equator.
74
What can satellite images of global wind patterns help you infer?
How thermal energy is transferred through the atmosphere
## Footnote
These images provide visual data on wind and heat distribution.
75
Fill in the blank: Convection currents tend to veer sideways due to the _______.
Coriolis effect
## Footnote
This effect is crucial for understanding weather patterns.
76
Who is the Coriolis effect named after?
The French mathematician Gustave Gaspard de Coriolis
## Footnote
Coriolis (1792-1843) developed the mathematical description of motion on a rotating sphere.
77
What terms did Coriolis propose?
Work and kinetic energy
## Footnote
These terms are used in physical science.
78
What happens to air moving northward from 30°N to 60°N latitude?
The air veers eastward
## Footnote
This occurs because it retains the greater eastward rotational speed of 30°N latitude.
79
What are the eastward-blowing winds between 30°N and 60°N called?
Prevailing westerlies
## Footnote
These winds come from the west.
80
What happens to air moving southward from 30°N latitude to the equator?
The air veers to the west
## Footnote
This is due to the slower rotational speed of Earth at 30°N latitude.
81
What are the winds called that come from the east?
Prevailing easterlies
## Footnote
These winds occur as air moves towards the equator.
82
In which hemisphere do objects tend to veer to the right?
Northern Hemisphere
## Footnote
Objects in the Southern Hemisphere veer to the left.
83
What influences the westerlies and easterlies?
Localized heating and geographic features
## Footnote
Features like mountains and lakes produce variable local winds.
84
What does the Coriolis effect apply to?
Any body moving on or above Earth's surface
## Footnote
This includes air and ocean currents.
85
What must be taken into account for guided flight paths?
The Coriolis effect
## Footnote
This is crucial for airplanes, guided missiles, and space shuttles.
86
Fill in the blank: The terms 'horse latitudes,' 'doldrums,' and 'trade winds' are related to _______.
Wind patterns
## Footnote
These terms describe specific regions and conditions of wind.
87
What are jet streams?
Currents of extremely fast-moving air about 10-15 km above Earth's surface.
88
In which direction do jet streams generally flow?
From west to east in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
89
What conditions lead to the formation of jet streams?
At the boundaries of cold and warm air.
90
How do jet streams behave in winter compared to summer?
They are usually larger and travel faster in winter.
91
What is the polar jet stream and how does it affect Canada's weather?
It forms at the junction of the prevailing westerlies and polar easterlies, influencing weather patterns.
92
What intensifies the speed of air in a jet stream?
The combination of convection and the Coriolis effect.
93
What recent studies suggest about jet streams and climate conditions?
A link exists between the jet stream and climate conditions, including shifts in climate.
94
What climatic event was attributed to the jet stream based on sediment analyses?
An abrupt shift characterized by several years of drought.
95
What role do oceans and mountains play in climate?
They influence the global distribution of heat.
96
What happens when moist air cools?
It cannot hold as much water, leading to condensation and precipitation.
97
What is the effect of warm air rising?
Cooler air moves in to replace it, creating a current of moving air.
98
What phenomenon does the current of moving air create on shores?
A sea breeze.
99
Why does land warm faster than water?
Because water has a larger heat capacity.
100
What occurs during the night regarding sea and land breezes?
The land breeze occurs as the water cools more slowly than the land.
101
What can be said about the proximity to water and its effects on climate?
It can have at least two significant effects on climate.
102
What types of ocean currents can affect climate?
Cold or warm ocean currents.
103
What is the relationship between latitude and ocean currents?
Labrador and Scotland are at approximately the same latitude but have different ocean currents affecting their climates.
104
Fill in the blank: Jet streams travel at speeds of _______.
100-300 km/h.
105
What type of precipitation is associated with easterly winds in Alberta?
Orographic precipitation
## Footnote
Orographic precipitation occurs when moist air is forced to rise over mountains, cooling and condensing into precipitation.
106
Why is there generally less moisture in the air over Alberta compared to coastal areas?
The source of the air is the Prairies rather than the ocean
## Footnote
Air from the Prairies contains less moisture than air originating from the ocean.
107
What phenomenon occurs during the day when a breeze blows toward the land?
Sea breeze
## Footnote
A sea breeze is created due to temperature differences between land and water.
108
What happens at night regarding the breeze between land and sea?
Land breeze flows out to sea
## Footnote
A land breeze occurs when the land cools faster than the water, causing air to flow from the land to the sea.
109
What natural feature can be a source of moisture for British Columbia?
The Pacific Ocean
## Footnote
The prevailing westerlies bring moist air from the Pacific Ocean onto the land.
110
What happens to the moisture in the air as it rises against mountains in British Columbia?
It is released as orographic precipitation
## Footnote
As warm, moist air rises, it cools and condenses, leading to precipitation.
111
What is the term for the region that receives little rain due to orographic effects?
Rain shadow
## Footnote
A rain shadow forms on the leeward side of mountains where moist air loses moisture as it ascends.
112
How does the temperature of air change as it moves down the eastern side of the mountains?
It becomes warmer because the pressure increases
## Footnote
As air descends, it warms due to the adiabatic heating effect.
113
What determines which side of a mountain receives orographic precipitation?
The direction of the prevailing winds
## Footnote
Prevailing winds dictate moisture distribution and precipitation patterns on mountain ranges.
114
Fill in the blank: The air that moves toward Alberta after releasing moisture is relatively ______.
dry
## Footnote
After precipitation occurs, the remaining air has less moisture content.
115
Predict at least three locations along the western part of North America where rain shadows would form.
Varies by location, examples include:
* Eastern slopes of the Cascades
* Eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada
* Areas east of the Rockies
## Footnote
These locations typically experience rain shadows due to prevailing westerly winds.
116
What is the term for air that contains a significant amount of water vapor?
moist air
## Footnote
Moist air is essential for various weather phenomena and climate conditions.
117
What is the largest body of saltwater on Earth?
Ocean
## Footnote
Oceans cover about 71% of the Earth's surface.
118
What meteorological phenomenon is characterized by tiny water droplets suspended in the air, reducing visibility?
fog
## Footnote
Fog forms when the air near the ground cools to the dew point.
119
Which city is known for its significant rainfall and fog due to its coastal location?
Vancouver
## Footnote
Vancouver experiences a temperate oceanic climate.
120
What is the frozen form of precipitation that falls from the atmosphere?
Snow
## Footnote
Snow occurs when atmospheric temperatures are low enough for water vapor to crystallize.
121
What is the name of the warm, dry wind that descends the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains?
Chinook
## Footnote
The term 'Chinook' comes from an Aboriginal word meaning 'snow eater.'
122
What type of precipitation occurs when moist air is lifted over a mountain range?
Orographic Precipitation
## Footnote
Orographic precipitation is a key factor in the local climate of mountainous regions.
123
What type of air is characterized by low humidity and high temperature?
dry air
## Footnote
Dry air is often found in arid and semi-arid climates.
124
What is the term for liquid water that falls from the atmosphere to the ground?
Rain
## Footnote
Rain is a crucial part of the water cycle and is vital for ecosystems.
125
What phenomenon occurs on the leeward side of a mountain range where precipitation is significantly reduced?
Rain Shadow
## Footnote
Rain shadows create distinct ecological zones on either side of a mountain range.
126
Which city is located in Alberta, Canada, and is often affected by Chinook winds?
Calgary
## Footnote
Calgary experiences dramatic temperature changes due to Chinook winds.
127
Fill in the blank: The rapid descent of air that leads to warmer temperatures on the leeward side of mountains is known as _______.
Chinook
## Footnote
Chinook winds can raise temperatures significantly in a short period.
128
Fill in the blank: Orographic precipitation is caused by _______ air being lifted over mountains.
moist
## Footnote
This lifting leads to cooling and condensation, resulting in precipitation.
129
What do currents in the oceans and atmosphere distribute?
Solar heating from the tropics to the higher latitudes
130
What primarily causes ocean currents?
Surface winds
131
What factors influence ocean currents?
* Water's salinity
* Heat content
* Contours of the ocean's bottom
* Land surfaces
132
What effect does Earth's rotation have on air currents?
Coriolis effect
133
What happens to air currents moving towards the poles due to the Coriolis effect?
They veer to the east
134
What happens to air currents moving towards the equator due to the Coriolis effect?
They veer to the west
135
What phenomena disrupt air and ocean circulations in the equatorial Pacific?
El Niño and La Niña
136
How do El Niño and La Niña influence the world?
They influence weather patterns over much of the world
137
What produces sea and land breezes?
Unequal heating and cooling of coastal lands and oceans
138
What influences coastal air movement and inland precipitation?
Mountains
139
True or False: Ocean currents are solely influenced by temperature.
False
140
What do currents in the oceans and atmosphere distribute?
Solar heating from the tropics to the higher latitudes
141
What primarily causes ocean currents?
Surface winds
142
What factors influence ocean currents?
* Water's salinity
* Heat content
* Contours of the ocean's bottom
* Land surfaces
143
What effect does Earth's rotation have on air currents?
Coriolis effect
144
What happens to air currents moving towards the poles due to the Coriolis effect?
They veer to the east
145
What happens to air currents moving towards the equator due to the Coriolis effect?
They veer to the west
146
What phenomena disrupt air and ocean circulations in the equatorial Pacific?
El Niño and La Niña
147
How do El Niño and La Niña influence the world?
They influence weather patterns over much of the world
148
What produces sea and land breezes?
Unequal heating and cooling of coastal lands and oceans
149
What influences coastal air movement and inland precipitation?
Mountains
150
True or False: Ocean currents are solely influenced by temperature.
False
