Earth in Space 9

Surface Runoff

Water flows over land to rivers and oceans.

Natural Reservoirs

Storage in glaciers and aquifers for freshwater.

Heat Capacity

Energy needed to change an object's temperature.

Specific Heat Capacity

Heat to raise 1 kg by 1°C (J/kg°C).

Latent Heat

Energy absorbed/released during phase changes.

Latent Heat of Vaporization

Energy to convert liquid to gas (~2260 J/g).

Latent Heat of Fusion

Energy to convert solid to liquid (~334 J/g).

Latent Heat of Sublimation

Energy to convert solid directly to gas.

Dew Point

Temperature for air to become saturated with vapor.

Mercury Barometer

Measures pressure using height of mercury.

Aneroid Barometer

Measures pressure using a sealed expanding chamber.

Boyle's Law

Pressure inversely proportional to volume at constant temperature.

Temperature Effect on Humidity

Warmer air holds more moisture, affecting comfort.

Altitude Effect on Humidity

Humidity decreases with altitude due to pressure drop.

Psychrometers

Instruments measuring relative humidity using thermometers.

Impact of Natural Reservoirs

Gradual water release supports ecosystems and rivers.

Climate Regulation

Processes balance Earth's heat distribution and weather.

Climate Zones

Regions defined by variations in air pressure and temperature.

Equatorial Regions

Low pressure, high temperatures, leading to rainforests.

Polar Regions

High pressure, low temperatures, resulting in cold deserts.

Adiabatic Process

Temperature changes in gas without heat exchange.

Expansion & Cooling

Rising air expands and cools due to lower pressure.

Compression & Heating

Descending air compresses and warms due to higher pressure.

Adiabatic Lapse Rate

Rate of temperature change in rising air parcels.

Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DALR)

Cooling rate of dry air: ~10°C/km (29°F/mile).

Wet Adiabatic Lapse Rate (WALR)

Cooling rate of saturated air: ~6°C/km (18°F/mile).

Cloud Formation

Process of water vapor condensing into droplets.

Dew Point Temperature

Temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture.

Collision-Coalescence Process

Droplets collide and merge in warm clouds to form rain.

Bergeron Process

Ice crystals grow in cold clouds, leading to snow.

Cloud Classification

Categorization based on altitude, appearance, and structure.

High-Level Clouds

Ice crystal clouds at high altitudes, indicate weather changes.

Middle-Level Clouds

Moisture indicators at mid-altitudes, may bring rain.

Low-Level Clouds

Closer to Earth, associated with stable conditions.

Density Lifting

Warm air rises due to being less dense than cooler air.

Frontal Lifting

Warm air rises over cooler air at fronts.

Warm Front

Warm air moves over cooler air, causing gradual lifting.

Cold Front

Cold air pushes under warm air, causing rapid lifting.

Orographic Lifting

Moist air rises over mountains, causing precipitation.

Rain Shadow Effect

Dry area on leeward side of mountains due to lifting.

Convergence Lifting

Air masses meet and are forced upward, causing clouds.

Cumulus Clouds

Fluffy clouds formed by density lifting or convergence.

Cumulonimbus Clouds

Tall, dense clouds associated with thunderstorms and heavy rain.

Stratus Clouds

Layered clouds that cover the sky, often bring light rain.

Nimbostratus Clouds

Thick, dark clouds bringing steady precipitation.