Unit D Energy Flow in Global Systems: Section 2.0 Flashcards

1
Q

What is a climatograph?

A

A summary of the average temperature and precipitation for each month of the year for a given location.

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2
Q

What goes on the left side of a climatograph?

A

Precipitation

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3
Q

What goes on the right side of a climatograph?

A

Average temperature

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4
Q

What are the 3 factors that affect climate?

A
  • Insolation
  • The pattern of global winds
  • The pattern of warm and cold currents
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5
Q

What has the strongest effect on climate?

A

Insolation

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6
Q

What is solar energy?

A

A radiant energy that is transmitted in electromagnetic waves from the sun

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7
Q

What does solar energy consist of?

A

Electromagnetic energy at different wavelengths. All the types of radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum

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8
Q

What is insolation?

A

The amount of solar energy received by a region of the earth’s surface

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9
Q

What does insolation depend on?

A

The latitude and the specific characteristics of the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere

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10
Q

How are radiant energies distinguished from one another?

A

By their wavelengths

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11
Q

What are the types of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum?

A
  • Radio (this is what radar uses)
  • Micro
  • Infrared
  • Visible light
  • Ultraviolet
  • X-rays
  • Gamma rays

Note that cosmic rays are not part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

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12
Q

What is the angle of inclination?

A

The degree by which the earth’s poles are tilted from the perpendicular plane of its orbit. 23.5

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13
Q

How often does earth orbit the sun?

A

Once a year

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14
Q

When is the first day of summer?

A

June 21

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15
Q

What does the angle of inclination of the earth look like in summer?

A

The north pole is tilted toward the sun

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16
Q

When is the first day of winter?

A

December 21

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17
Q

What does the angle of inclination look like in the winter?

A

North pole is tilted away from the sun

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18
Q

What are latitudes?

A

Imaginary lines that run parallel to the equator

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19
Q

What is the highest latitude?

A

90 degrees

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20
Q

What is a solstice?

A

One of the 2 points in earth’s orbit at which the north pole is most tilted toward the sun and the earth has the longest amount of daylight. The other is when it is most tilted away with the shortest amount of daylight.

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21
Q

When does the solstice occur?

A

June 21-22 December 21-22

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22
Q

Which regions of the earth do not experience variation in sunlight?

A

Regions near the equator

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23
Q

What is an equinox?

A

When the number of daylight hours is equal to the number of night hours

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24
Q

What does the earth look like during the equinoxes?

A

They are above or below the sun

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25
Q

When do the equinoxes take place?

A

March and September 21-22

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26
Q

What is the angle of incidence?

A

The angle of a ray falling on the earth’s surface and the line perpendicular to that surface

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27
Q

What is the angle of incidence at the equator?

A

0

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28
Q

How is the angle of incidence affected as it moves away from the equator?

A

It becomes larger

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29
Q

Why do some areas receive less solar energy?

A

Because at larger angles of incidence the same amount of radiation is spread over a larger area

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30
Q

Why is there a change of temperature as you move away from the equator?

A
  • The decrease in insolation year round
  • Variation in daylight hours during different seasons
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31
Q

What happens when particles reflect energy from the sun?

A

They change the rays direction

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32
Q

What happens when particles absorb the suns energy?

A

The energy is converted into another form

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33
Q

Where does absorption and reflection of the sun occur in the biosphere?

A

All parts, the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere

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34
Q

What does oxygen and nitrogen absorb?

A

X-rays and Gamma Rays

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35
Q

What absorbs most of the UV radiation?

A

Ozone

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36
Q

Where is the most atmospheric dust found?

A

The troposphere

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37
Q

Why is the air temperature colder on a cloudy day?

A

Clouds reflect some incoming solar radiation

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38
Q

How does atmospheric dust affect the earth’s temperature?

A
  • It shades the earth’s surface from incoming radiation, reducing the amount of solar energy
  • It also absorbs heat from the sun and the earth’s surface
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39
Q

What does the amount of solar energy that is reflected or absorbed depend on?

A

The type of surface encountered

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40
Q

What is the Albedo?

A

The percent of solar radiation that reflects

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41
Q

What is the average albedo for the earth’s surface?

A

30%

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42
Q

Why do most places have a higher Albedo in the winter?

A

Because snow cover reflects more snow

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43
Q

Do places that lack forest cover have a high albedo or a low albedo?

A

High

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44
Q

What type of radiation is re-emitted from the Earth?

A

Infrared radiation (this is what the electromagnetic radiation becomes after having been absorbed by a surface and it is infrared when released)

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45
Q

How does infrared radiation affect the earth’s temperature?

A

Because of its high thermal energy it helps to keep the temperature of the planet stable.

Infrared radiation is what is re-emitted by objects that have absorbed electromagnetic radiation from the sun.

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46
Q

What is the natural greenhouse gas effect?

A

The absorption of thermal energy by the earth’s atmosphere that keeps the earth’s temperature habitable

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47
Q

What would happen without greenhouse gasses?

A

The earth’s heat would escape into space and the temp would be about 33 degrees C lower, or about -19 C on average and too cold to support life. (It’s about 14 C now on average)

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48
Q

Which four gases are the main contributors to the greenhouse gas affect?

A

Water vapour
Carbon Dioxide
Methane
Nitrous oxide

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49
Q

What is the net-radiation budget?

A

The difference between the amount of incoming radiation and the amount of outgoing radiation re-emitted from earth’s surface and atmosphere. It should be 0.

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50
Q

What is incoming radiation?

A

All the solar energy that reaches the earth’s surface. This does not include solar radiation that is reflected by the atmosphere.

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51
Q

What is outgoing radiation?

A

The thermal radiation re-emitted by the earth’s surface and atmosphere that is not absorbed by the greenhouse gasses of the atmosphere

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52
Q

What is the formula for the net radiation budget?

A

Incoming radiation - outgoing radiation

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53
Q

When solar energy initially reaches Earth what is it immediately reflected by?

A

The atmosphere
Clouds
The earth’s surface

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54
Q

What absorbs solar energy when it reaches Earth?

A

Absorbed by:
Greenhouse gasses
Clouds
The Earth’s surface (water and land)

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55
Q

By what is solar energy that had been absorbed re-emitted?

A

Clouds and atmospheric gasses
Hydrosphere
Global winds
The earth’s surface

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56
Q

Which part of the Earth absorbs the most atmospheric gasses?

A

The earth’s surface

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57
Q

Which part of the earth re-emits the most atmospheric gasses?

A

The atmosphere

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58
Q

Is there a large difference between outgoing radiation and incoming radiation?

A

No, the difference is usually 0

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59
Q

What is the balance of Net radiation near the poles?

A

Because polar radiation has lower insolation and higher albedo there is less incoming radiation than outgoing radiation

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60
Q

What is the balance of net radiation near the equator?

A

Because of high insolation there is more incoming radiation than outgoing radiation

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61
Q

What is thermal energy transfer?

A

The movement of thermal energy from an area of high temperature to an area of low temperature

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62
Q

What are the three ways thermal energy transfer can occur?

A

Conduction
Convection
Radiation

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63
Q

What is radiation?

A

The emission of energy particles or waves

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64
Q

What does energy do?

A

Increases the movement of particles (energy allows work to occur)

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65
Q

What does an increase in kinetic energy do?

A

Increases the temperature

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66
Q

What does something warmer than its surroundings emit?

A

Radiant energy, viewed by an infrared camera (infrared waves are emitted)

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67
Q

What is conduction?

A

The transfer of thermal energy by direct contact between particles of a substance without moving the particles to a new location

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68
Q

Where does conduction usually take place?

A

Solids

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69
Q

How is kinetic energy moved in conduction?

A

Particles with more kinetic energy transfer their energy to neighbouring particles with lower kinetic energy

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70
Q

What is convection?

A

The transfer of thermal energy through the movement of particles from one location to another

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71
Q

Where does convection usually occur?

A

In fluids (gasses and liquids)

72
Q

What happens during convection?

A

The movement of particles forms a current. The hotter (more energy) particles move apart and become less dense and move to the top. Then as the water cools it moves down which forms a current

73
Q

How does wind move?

A

The air near the equator becomes hot and less dense and rises to the poles and as it moves it to the poles it cools down

Convection

74
Q

What is atmospheric pressure?

A

The pressure exerted by the mass of air above any point on earth’s surface

75
Q

Where is there less atmospheric pressure?

A

Warmer regions because the air is less dense

76
Q

What causes wind to be deflected either right or left?

A

The Coriolis effect of the earth spinning on its axis

77
Q

What is the Coriolis effect?

A

The deflection of any object from a straight line path by rotation of Earth

78
Q

What direction does the Coriolis effect cause the wind in the northern and southern hemisphere to go?

A

Northern: Right
Southern: Left

79
Q

What do global winds transfer?

A

Thermal energy from regions of net radiation surplus to areas of net radiation budget deficit

80
Q

What would happen if global winds did not occur?

A

Areas near the equator would be very hot while the rest of earth would be much colder

81
Q

What are trade winds?

A

Rising currents of air that cause wind to blow steadily northeast and southeast. Caused by the Coriolis effect.

82
Q

What are trade winds cause by?

A

The Coriolis effect

83
Q

What happens at 30 degrees latitude to solar winds?

A

Some of the trade wind is significantly cooled and sinks and moves back down to the equator and the rest of the warm air is pushed up to the poles and turned east by the Coriolis effect

84
Q

What are some things that affect Earth’s wind patterns?

A
  • Continents and large bodies of water due to the different heat capacity of water and land and convection from the temperature differences from day to night
  • friction due to density of the atmosphere
  • Earth’s rough surface
85
Q

What slows global winds?

A

Earth’s surface and the density of the troposphere produces friction

86
Q

What is a jet stream?

A

A band of fast moving air in the stratosphere, that are not subject to much friction

87
Q

How many jet streams are there on Earth?

A

4 primary:

2 polar (one the north pole, one near the south pole)

2 subtropical near the equator

88
Q

What are jet streams formed by?

A

Convection currents

89
Q

When are jet streams closer to the equator and move quicker?

A

During the cooler months

90
Q

What affects the formation of severe weather events?

A

Jet streams

91
Q

What is a Biome?

A

A large geographical region with a particular range of temperature and precipitation levels

92
Q

What type of system are Biomes?

A

Open systems because they exchange matter and energy with their environment

93
Q

What is a closed system?

A

A system that exchanges energy with its surroundings.

Matter is not exchanged with its surroundings.

94
Q

What type of system is the Hydrosphere?

A

A closed system

95
Q

What makes biomes an open system?

A

They allow matter from other biomes to move in and out of their boundaries

96
Q

Where do biomes get their energy from?

A

Solar energy from the sun

97
Q

What does the sun do for biomes?

A
  • Provides energy
  • Maintains the temperature
  • Provide food for living organsims
98
Q

How many different biomes are there?

A

6

99
Q

Why do scientists divide the earth into biomes?

A

To help them study and understand the interactions between living and non-living components and how they interact with each other

100
Q

What are the 6 types of biomes in order?

A
Tundra
Taiga
Deciduous Forest
Grassland
Desert
Rain Forest
101
Q

Where is the Tundra found?

A

The arctic regions of North America and Eurasia

102
Q

How does daylight vary in the Tundra?

A

It varies over the over the years. The summer solstice lasts for 24 hours with light. The winter solstice lasts for 24 hours with no daylight

103
Q

What is the variation of solar energy in the winter in the Tundra?

A

They receive very little insolation

104
Q

Which biome receives the least amount of solar radiation?

A

The Tundra

105
Q

What covers the Tundra year round?

A

Ice and snow

106
Q

What is a result of the ice and snow that cover the Tundra year round?

A

Permafrost, permanently frozen ground

107
Q

What maintains cold temperatures in the tundra?

A

The low insolation and the high albedo

108
Q

Why do very few plants and animals inhabit the Tundra?

A

Because it has very little precipitation

109
Q

How are plants adapted to living in the Tundra?

A

Plants have a very short life cycle and they live close to the ground to limit their exposure to the cold and the high winds

110
Q

What do the animals of the Tundra feed on?

A

Fish and other animals

111
Q

How do animals protect themselves from the cold in the Tundra?

A

Small animals burrow underground

Large animals have thick coats and squat bodies

112
Q

Where is the Taiga Biome found?

A

A broad belt around the earth just south of the Tundra biomes

113
Q

What type of trees is the Taiga dominated by?

A

Evergreen conifer trees, such as fur, pine, and spruce

114
Q

Which biome is dominated by Conifer trees?

A

The Taiga

115
Q

Why are there few shrubs and bushes in the Taiga?

A

Because thick conifer branches block out most of the light

116
Q

What is another name for the Taiga?

A

Boreal forest

117
Q

Why does the Taiga have a longer growing season than the Tundra?

A

Because there is more insolation at the latitude

118
Q

In comparison to the Tundra, what is the climate of the Taiga?

A

Taiga has more precipitation and higher temperatures

119
Q

Why can more plants and animals live in the Taiga?

A

Because of the higher insolation

120
Q

What biome covers most of Alberta?

A

The Taiga

121
Q

How is the Taiga good for the economy?

A

It produces lumber for the forestry business

122
Q

What do the leaves of conifer trees have?

A

Resin

123
Q

What is resin?

A

An adaption of conifer trees which makes them resistant to drought and freezing and can undergo photosynthesis year round

124
Q

What adaptations do animals in the Taiga biome have?

A

They become inactive during the winter.
Their coat changes colours to camouflage.
And birds migrate in the fall

125
Q

How are Deciduous forests distinguished?

A

By trees that lose their leaves each fall

126
Q

Which biome has conifer trees?

A

The Taiga

127
Q

Which biome has Deciduous trees?

A

The Deciduous forest

128
Q

Where is the deciduous forest found?

A

Parts of North and South America, Europe, Asia, Japan and Australia

129
Q

How is the climate and growing season of the Deciduous forest compared to the Taiga?

A

The climate is more moderate and there is a longer growing season

130
Q

What causes very distinct seasons in the Deciduous forest?

A

The variation in the amount of insolation

131
Q

Why do shrubs, mosses and lichen grow in the Deciduous Forest?

A

Because deciduous trees allow light to penetrate to the ground

132
Q

What allows broadleaf trees to survive in the Deciduous forest?

A

The average temperature of the biome

133
Q

What is a positive to broadleaf trees in the Deciduous?

A

They are very efficient in photosynthesis

134
Q

What is a negative to broadleaf trees?

A

They freeze easily and lose high amounts of water through transpiration

135
Q

How do animals function in the deciduous forest?

A

They are active year round

136
Q

What does the Grassland biome look like?

A

They are grassy with no trees

137
Q

Why is the Grassland biome grassy?

A

Because grass requires far less water than trees

138
Q

What type of regions support Grasslands?

A

They occur in regions where precipitation is at least 20 cm and too low to support the growth of trees

139
Q

What continents do grasslands occur on?

A

All continents

140
Q

What do grasslands have periods of?

A

Winter in the Prairies and dry season in the Savanna

141
Q

What are the 2 types of Grasslands?

A

Prairies and Savanna

142
Q

What are the seasons of the prairies?

A

Winter and Summer

143
Q

What are the seasons of the Savanna?

A

Wet and Dry season

144
Q

What type of grassland is in North America?

A

Prairies

145
Q

What has most of the prairie region in North America been changed into?

A

Agricultural land

146
Q

Where are Savannas located?

A

In Africa

147
Q

How have Grasslands adapted to dry climate?

A

They have extensive root systems that allow for quick recovery

148
Q

What are most grassland animals?

A

Grazers; they travel great distances in order to find sufficient food

149
Q

What do burrowing animals in the grasslands do?

A

The create underground burrows to protect themselves from harsh weather and predators

150
Q

Which biome contains the richest diversity of plants and animals?

A

The rainforest

151
Q

Which biome receives the most rain?

A

The rainforest 200 cm

152
Q

How does the climate affect plant life in the rainforest?

A

It allows plants to grow year round

153
Q

What type of plants grow in the rainforest?

A

-Broadleaf deciduous trees that do not lose their leaves and vines and rootless air plants

154
Q

How are plants adapted in the rainforest?

A

Since there are many plants in one area most plants are adapted to maximize sun exposure. Which means broad leaves, great height, and the ability to climb

155
Q

What is the plant life like in the desert?

A

It has relatively little plant life

156
Q

How many biomes does Canada have and name them?

A

4, Tundra, Taiga, Deciduous forest, Grassland

157
Q

What direction are water currents in the southern hemisphere driven?

A

Counter-clockwise

158
Q

What direction are water currents in the northern hemisphere driven?

A

Clockwise

159
Q

What is the specific heat capacity of a substance?

A

The amount of energy required raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance 1 degree celsius

160
Q

What is specific heat capacity measured in?

A

J/g

161
Q

What is the specific heat capacity of water?

A

4.19 J/g

162
Q

What is the quantity of thermal energy?

A

The amount of thermal energy absorbed or released when the temperature of a specific mass of a substance goes up or down

163
Q

What is the formula for the quantity of thermal energy?

A

Q=mcΔT

164
Q

What does the Q in Q=mcΔT mean? and what is it measured in?

A

Quantity of thermal energy; Joules

165
Q

What is the m in Q=mcΔT? and what is it measured in?

A

Mass of the substance; grams

166
Q

What does the ΔT stand for in Q=mcΔT? and what is it measured in?

A

Change in temperature; degrees celsius

167
Q

How can the specific heat capacity be determined?

A

Using a calorimeter

168
Q

What is a calorimeter?

A

Any device used to measure the transfer of thermal energy

169
Q

How is the temperature of water affected during a phase change?

A

It remains constant

170
Q

Why does the temperature of water not change during a phase change?

A

When a substance changes from solid to liquid the bonds become weak and break, breaking bonds absorbs energy. When a substance changes from vapour to liquid new bonds are formed and the bond formation releases energy. There is only a temperature change when there is an increase or decrease in kinetic energy. But the energy is used to break bonds so it is not used in the form of kinetic energy

171
Q

What is the heat fusion of a substance?

A

The amount of energy absorbed when 1 mol of the substance changes from solid to liquid without a change in temperature

172
Q

What does the heat curve of water look like?

A

It starts below 0 and goes in a diagonal line called the solid phase to 0 and plateaus called melting or fusion. then it goes in a diagonal line called liquid phase then it gets to 100 and plateaus called vaporization then it moves above 100 and goes diagonally to the vapour phase

173
Q

What happens in the melting or fusion stage of the hydrologic cycle?

A

The temperature stopped increasing because the energy was being absorbed to break the bonds and turn into liquid

174
Q

What is heat of fusion?

A

The amount of energy absorbed when 1 mol of the substance changes from solid to liquid, without a change in temperature

175
Q

What is the formula for heat of fusion?

A

Hfus = Q/n

176
Q

What is heat of fusion measured in?

A

kJ

177
Q

What is n in Hfus = Q/n?

A

Number of moles