Earth In Space Exam II

Earth Science

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.

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.

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.

Centrifugal Force

Apparent force pushing outward in circular motion.

Centripetal Force

Real force pulling objects toward circular path center.

Semidiurnal Tide

Two equal high and low tides each day.

Diurnal Tide

One high tide and one low tide daily.

Mixed Tide

Two high and low tides with varying heights.

Tidal Range

Difference between high tide and low tide levels.

Neap Tide

Occurs when Sun, Moon, Earth form a right angle.

Tidal Patterns

Frequency and type of tides at specific locations.

Spring Tide

Highest tides occurring during full and new moons.

Shoreline Topography

Landform features affecting local tidal patterns.

Celestial Alignment

Position of celestial bodies affecting tidal forces.

Wave Height

Distance from wave trough to crest, up to 30 meters.

Wavelength

Distance between successive wave crests in the ocean.

Energy Transfer

Waves transfer energy without moving water horizontally.

Oscillatory Motion

Water particles move in circular paths as waves pass.

Wave Base

Depth where wave energy movement ceases, half wavelength.

Fetch

Distance wind blows uninterrupted, affecting wave size.

Wave Shoaling

Waves slow and increase height as they enter shallow water.

Wave Steepening

Wave height increases disproportionately as depth decreases.

Breaking Wave

Occurs when a wave becomes too steep and collapses.

Spilling Breakers

Gradually spilling waves on gently sloping beaches.

Plunging Breakers

Curling waves that form tubes on steep shorelines.

Surging Breakers

Waves that surge onto very steep shorelines without breaking.

Backwash

Water flowing back to the ocean after a wave breaks.

Beach Erosion

Loss of sand due to backwash and wave action.

Rip Currents

Fast-moving channels of water flowing from shore to sea.

Wave Speed

Waves move faster in deep water without seafloor interaction.

Headlands

Land protrusions made of resistant rock.

Bays

Sheltered coastal areas with softer rock erosion.

Point Absorbers

Floating structures capturing vertical wave energy.

Oscillating Water Columns (OWC)

Devices using air movement to generate electricity.

Hydraulic Action

Waves compress air in cracks, causing erosion.

Abrasion

Waves grind rocks using carried sediments.

Attrition

Particles collide, breaking into smaller pieces.

Sediment Transport

Movement of particles along the coastline.

Longshore Drift

Zigzag sediment movement along the shore.

Suspension

Finer sediments carried long distances in water.

Saltation

Larger particles bounce along the seabed.

Deposition

Sediments laid down when energy decreases.

Sediment Budget

Balance of sediment added and removed from coast.

Deficit Sediment Budget

More sediment removed than added, causing erosion.

Groins

Structures preventing soil erosion, built perpendicular.

Seawalls

Rock or concrete walls protecting property from erosion.

Ocean Basins

Vast depressions holding Earth's oceans.

Bathymetry

Study and measurement of ocean floor depths.

Sonar

Sound waves used to measure ocean depth.

Satellite Altimetry

Measures ocean surface height using satellites.

Continental Slope

Transition zone between continental shelf and ocean.

Hydrothermal Vents

Underwater hot springs that release minerals and heat from the Earth's interior.

Subduction Zones

Regions where one tectonic plate moves under another, leading to geological activity such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Salinity

The measure of the concentration of salts in water, typically expressed in parts per thousand (ppt). It affects ocean circulation and marine life.

Buffer

A solution that resists changes in pH when acids or bases are added, helping to maintain stable conditions in aquatic environments.

Halocline

Rapid salinity change with depth.

Water Density

Influenced by temperature and salinity.

Oceanic Circulation

Movement of ocean water driven by various factors.

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of moving objects, such as winds and currents, caused by the rotation of the Earth.

Thermal Energy Absorption

Water absorbs significant energy compared to others.