Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

GÉO > Weather and Climate > Flashcards

Weather and Climate Flashcards

1
Q

What is weather?

A

The condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is climate?

A

The average condition of the atmosphere of a specific place over a long period of time, typically over 30 years.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the 6 elements of weather?

A
  1. Temperature
  2. Relative humidity
  3. Clouds
  4. Rainfall
  5. Air pressure
  6. Wind
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is temperature?

A

The degree of hotness or coldness of a place.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is diurnal temperature range?

A

The difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in a day.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is annual temperature range?

A

The difference between the maximum and minimum mean monthly temperatures recorded in a year.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the 4 factors that influence the temperature of places?

A
  1. Latitude
  2. Altitude
  3. Distance from the sea
  4. Cloud cover
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Is it possible for places along the same latitude to face different temperatures? Why?

A

Yes. Even though latitude affects temperature strongly, the other factors (altitude, distance from sea and cloud cover) are also considerable in influencing temperature.
For example, Singapore and Quito, Ecuador.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is relative humidity?

A

The ratio (typically expressed as a percentage) between actual amt. of water vapour present in a mass of air and the max. amt, of water vapour the air could hold at given temp.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is saturation?

A

When the air holds the max. amt. of water vapour and relative humidity is at 100%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How are clouds formed?

A

Evaporation due to heating of water. As it rises, it cools. When water vapour cools to dew point temperature, condensation ensues if there exists tiny particles (condensation nuclei) for water vapour to condense on. Water droplets in the air will merge and grow bigger in a process named coalescence. Thus, clouds form.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the 2 types of rain?

A
  1. Convectional rain
  2. Relief rain
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is air pressure?

A

The force exerted on a unit area of the earth’s surface by the weight of a column of air above it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is wind?

A

Movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is prevailing wind?

A

Wind which blows most frequently from a specific direction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is land breeze?

A

Wind that blows from land to sea due to differences in air pressure caused by different rates at which land and water bodies cool. This happens during night

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is sea breeze?

A

Wind that blows from sea to land due to differences in air pressure caused by different rates at which land and water bodies heat up. This occurs during day

18
Q

What are monsoon winds?

A

Regional wind patterns that reverse direction seasonally and bring seasonal changes in precipitation

19
Q

What is Coriolis effect? How does it affect winds?

A

Force produced by the earth’s rotation, resulting in deflection of winds (bending of winds to the right in northern hemisphere and to the left in southern hemisphere).

20
Q

Name the 2 monsoons

A
  1. Southwest monsoon
  2. Northeast monsoon
21
Q

What are the 3 climatic types?

A
  1. Equatorial climate
  2. Monsoon climate
  3. Cool temperate climate (Marine west coast climate)
22
Q

Describe equatorial climate and give examples of countries

A

-A climatic type of areas between 10 degrees north and south of the Equator
e.g. SG, Johor Malaysia
-High mean annual temp. of ~27 degrees celsius throughout year
-Small annual temp. range of ~2 degrees celsius
-Rain generally falls throughout year, no distinct wet or dry seasons. Some months have very heavy rainfall while others have moderate to heavy rainfall
- High total annual rainfall of more than 2,000mm

23
Q

Describe monsoon climate and give examples of countries.

A

-A climatic type of areas between 5 and 25 degrees north and south of the Equator.
e.g. India, Bangladesh
-High mean annual temp. ~25 degrees celsius throughout the year
-Small annual temp. range of 3-4 degrees celsius
-Distinct wet and dry seasons, rainfall is unevenly distributed
-High rainfall during wet season ~2000mm
-Low rainfall during dry season ~750mm

24
Q

Describe cool temperate climate (marine west coast climate) and give examples of countries.

A

-A climatic type of areas between 40 and 60 degrees north and south of the Equator
e.g. US, UK, S. Korea
-Low mean annual temp. of ~10.5 degrees celsius throughout year
-Large annual temp. range of ~21 degrees celsius
-Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout year, no distinct wet or dry seasons
-Low total annual rainfall ~300 to 900mm

25
Q

What is global climate change?

A

Variation in the global climate or climatic patterns in the long term

26
Q

What is global warming?

A

Increase in global temperatures over a long period of time

27
Q

What are two natural causes of recent climate change?

A
  1. Variations in solar output
  2. Volcanic eruptions
28
Q

What is the greenhouse effect?

A

A natural process by which greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere trap longwave radiation emitted from the earth’s surface, warming the atmosphere.

29
Q

What are greenhouse gases? Name some examples

A

Gases that absorb longwave radiation.
Examples include:
-Water vapour
-Carbon dioxide
-Methane
-Nitrous oxide
-Ozone
-Halocarbons (like chlorofluorocarbons, aka CFCs)

30
Q

What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?

A

An increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leading to a rise in global temperatures.

31
Q

What are anthropogenic factors?

A

Factors caused by human activities

32
Q

What are some anthropogenic factors contributing to enhanced greenhouse effect?

A
  1. Deforestation
  2. Agriculture
  3. Industries
  4. Urbanisation
33
Q

Describe deforestation

A

The loss of forests due to the removal or clearance of trees in forested areas

34
Q

Describe agriculture

A

The practice of cultivating land, producing crops and raising livestock

35
Q

Describe industries

A

Production of goods and services within a country

36
Q

Describe urbanisation

A

The process by which an increasing number of people live in urban areas such as cities or towns

37
Q

What are the four impacts of climate change?

A
  1. Sea level rise
  2. More frequent extreme weather events
  3. Spread of some infectious insect-borne diseases
  4. Lengthen the growing season in certain regions
38
Q

What is sea level rise?

A

The increase in the mean height of the sea’s surface between high tide and low tide relative to land

39
Q

What is insect-borne disease?

A

A disease that is transmitted to human or animals by an insect

40
Q

What are two types of responses to climate change?

A
  1. International agreements
  2. National responses
41
Q

What is an international agreement? Give an example.

A

Contracts signed by two or more countries
An example is the Kyoto Protocol

42
Q

What is a national response? Give some examples.

A

Measures taken by a country to do sth to itself (e.g. reduce greenhouse gas emissions).
In SG, some national responses include:
-Singapore Green Plan 2012
-Green Mark Scheme
-Plant-A-Tree Programme

GÉO (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions