Geog of Environmental Systems Test 1

In terms of energy flow, the Earth is essentially an:

Open system

Is arctic sea melting an example of a negative feedback loop or a positive feedback loop?

Positive feedback loop

When energy inputs and matter fluctuate over short periods of time but maintain a stable average, we say the system is in

Steady state equilibrium

The world population is close to:

8 billion

An open system is:

a system with inputs of energy or matter and outputs of energy or matter.
In terms of ENERGY, Earth is an open system.

A closed system is:

A closed system is shut off from the surrounding environment so that it is self-contained. In terms of PHYSICAL RESOURCES, the Earth is a closed system.

A feedback loop is

Outputs of a system that influence the system's operation

How does a negative feedback loop affect a system's operation?

Feedback discourages change in the system -stabilizes system

How does a positive feedback loop affect a system's operation?

Feedback encourages change in the system- destabilizes system

An equilibrium is

An energy and material system that remains balanced over time

Steady state equilibrium is

When energy inputs and matter fluctuate over short periods of time but maintain a stable average

A dynamic equilibrium is

When a condition of steady state equilibrium shows a changing trend over time

What are the three groups of tipping elements?

Ice bodies (cryosphere entities), - circulations of the ocean and atmosphere (circulation patterns), - large-scale ecosystems (biosphere components).

What is the International Date Line?

international date line is the opposite side of the Prime Meridian and marks the place where the new day officially begins at 12.01 am

Small scale map

more zoomed out - 1:500,000

Large scale map

more zoomed in - 1:24,000

Large extent

covers more area (more zoomed out)

Small extent

covers less area (more zoomed in)

Accurate size in a map means:

Equal Area

Accurate shape in a map means:

Conformal

Passive Remote Sensing

record wavelengths of energy radiated from a surface (ex like a digital photograph)

Active remote-sensing

send a beam of energy at a surface and analyze the energy reflected back (ex, LiDAR, flash photography)

What does GEDI measure?

The distribution of laser energy above the ground can be used to determine the height and density of objects within the footprint.

What are geostationary satellites?

geosynchronous with an orbital period the same as the Earth's rotation period

What is insolation?

incoming solar radiation

What causes undistributed distribution of insolation and what area gets the most energy?

The Earth's curvature causes uneven distribution. Tropics receive 2.5 times more energy annually than the poles

What is Net radiation?

·Incoming Shortwave Radiation MINUS Outgoing Longwave Radiation

What is latent heat?

energy absorbed or released as water changes states

What is seasonality?

the changes in the Sun's position above the horizon and daylength during the year.

What are the 5 reasons for seasons?

Earth's evolution, rotation, tilt, parallelism, and sphericity.

A Mercator map projection is:

True Shape

In satellite remote sensing the 10-30m spatial resolution of Landsat is considered

Moderate Resolution

What is the GEDI LiDAR instrument on the International Space Station used for measuring?

Vegetation Structure

What is the approximate circumference of the Earth?

25,000 miles

The Tropic of Capricorn lies at approximately

23 degrees south

The International Date Line lies at

180 degrees West of East - opposite the Prime Meridian

What type of energy does the sun emit?

Shortwave energy

What type of energy does the Earth emit?

Longwave energy

Compared to the poles, how much more energy do the tropics receive?

The tropics receive 2.5x more energy than the poles

At the Perihelion on January 3rd the Earth is c. 147,225,000 kilometers from the Sun. Is this the closest or furthest to the Sun?

Closest

The Solar Cycle is the periodic variability of the Suns activity over time. Sunspots are dark areas signifying increased radiation. On average the solar sunspot cycle is every

11 years

Microwave radiation has

Lower Energy, Longer Wavelengths, Lower Frequency

Heat flows from

Matter at Higher Temperature to Matter at Lower Temperature

The Largest positive averaged net radiation (c. 80 Wm2) are above the

Tropical Oceans

True or False: The Subsolar Point (solar declination) migrates through 23.5 degrees

False

The subsolar point is at the ________ on the Autumnal Equinox (Sept 22, 23)

Equator

How old is the Earth?

4.6 billion years old

The top of the atmosphere is at (in km):

480 km

True or False: Air density is higher near the Earth's surface

True

At sea level the average pressure is

1000mb

Oxygen by % volume in the Homosphere is

21%

All of the following are greenhouse gases EXECEPT:
A. Methane
B. CO2
C. Nitrous Oxide
D. Ammonia

D: Ammonia

True or False: A lapse rate refers to the rate of temperature that decreases with altitude

True

True or False: Atmospheric aerosols in the atmosphere BLOCK light and have a slightly cooling effect

True

How many years ago did life begin on Earth? (The start of photosynthesis)

~3.5 billion years ago

True of False: Water vapor is a positive climate change feedback loop

True

What is the average lapse rate?

Temperatures drop 6.4 degrees C per 1 km altitude

Does the Stratosphere have a normal lapse rate?

No - temperature increases with altitude because of the absorption of ultraviolet radiation by ozone molecules

Does the Mesosphere have a normal lapse rate?

Yes

Does the Thermosphere have a normal lapse rate?

No - Temperature increases with alt because of direct contact with high energy solar radiation

True or False: Gas molecules absorb and re-radiate sunlight at the same wavelength

True

How do high-altitude, ice-crystal clouds affect the temperature of the surface?

These clouds allow sunlight to penetrate to the surface, then traps heat, therefore WARMING the surface

How do low, thick clouds lock sunlight affect the temperature of the surface?

These clouds block the sunlight, COOLING the surface

How do aerosols in the atmosphere affect temperature of the surface?

These block light and have a slightly COOLING effect

Is Ozone always bad?

No, they can absorb UV rays and break down pollution

Where can Ozone form?

Anywhere free oxygen molecules are present

What is the definition of pollution?

the presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects.

What is acid deposition?

A broad term referring to a mixture of wet and dry deposition from the atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acid

What is Transmission?

Refers to the passage of shortwave and longwave energy through the atmosphere or water.

What is Absorption?

The assimilation of radiation by molecules of matter and its conversion from one form of energy to another.

What chemical structures absorb solar radiation and longwave radiation?

CO2 and water vapor

heat flows from ____ to ____

hot to cold

What is scattering?

when the direction of light's movement is changed, without altering its wavelengths.

What does scattered light reach the surface as?

diffuse radiation

True or False: Refraction changes light's direction and speed

True

What is reflection?

A portion of arriving radiation that bounces directly back into space without being absorbed or performing any work.

What is albedo?

the ratio of reflected solar radiation to the incident solar radiation.

What is marine effect (maritime)?

describes the lower temperature ranges of locations by the ocean

What is Continental effect?

refers to inland areas with a greater temperature range on both a daily and yearly basis.

The percentage of insolation that doesn't reach the Earth is due to:

Scattering

Which of these is false:
A. Earths Albedo is c.31%
B. Snow Albedo is c.85%
C. Asphalt Albedo is c.20%
D. Ocean Albedo is c. 7%

C. Asphalt Albedo is c.20%

What percentage of Solar Energy is absorbed at the Earths surface (land and water combined)?

c.45%

Which of these directly involves latent heat transfer?
A. Conduction
B. Convection
C. Evaporation
D. Advection

C. Evaporation

Which is true of high thin clouds:
A. They reflect insolation and leading to atmospheric warming
B. They absorb and reradiate longwave radiation leading to atmospheric warming

B. They absorb and reradiate longwave radiation leading to atmospheric warming

Where are the global annual temperature ranges the greatest?

Over the continental sub arctic regions

On average the peak in air temperature occurs at

3 PM

70oF is approximately how many degrees in C?

21 C

In general, do aerosols negative climate forcing (cooling) or a positive climate forcing (warming)?

Negative (cooling)

True or False: The Continental Effect on land surface temperature results in greater range in daily and yearly temperatures

True

The Specific Heat of the Ocean is greater or less than the heat of the land?

Greater

Does wind blow from high to low pressure or low to high pressure?

High to low

What drives Earth's atmospheric circulation?

The imbalance between energy surpluses at the Equator and energy deficits at the poles

As altitude increases, air pressure _______

decreases

True or False: Winds are named after the direction they come from

True

Wind speed is measured using a _____

Anemometer

Wind direction is shown by a _____

wind vane

What controls the movement of air?

-gravity
-pressure gradient force
-Coriolis force
-friction force

Which force describes how wind goes from high to low pressure?

Pressure gradient force

What is an isobar?

Line on a weather chart which connects areas of equal/constant barometric pressure

How does friction force influence the wind's speed?

Friction with the surface slows wind down