GEOG 1020, Mitra, Quiz 2

Heterosphere

the outer layer of the atmosphere where composition is NOT uniform

Homosphere

the inner layer of the atmosphere where composition is NEARLY uniform

Considering TEMP the atmosphere can be divided into:

Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere

Air Pressure

The measure of the force with which air molecules push on a surface

Atmospheric Pressure

the pressure exerted by the weight of the air on Earth's atmosphere

Troposphere

the region of weather activity which also supports the biosphere

Tropopause

The boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere.

Lapse rate

The rate at which temperature decreases with an increase in altitude

Stratosphere

the region where temperature increases with height and where ozone layer is found; stratospheric ozone prevents UV radiation to heat causing warming

Stratopause

The boundary between the stratosphere and the mesosphere

Mesosphere

the region where temperature decreases with height

Mesopause

the boundary between the mesosphere and thermosphere; coldest portion of the atmosphere

Thermosphere

the outermost layer where intense solar radiation excites air molecules; "heat sphere"

Thermopause

found at 480 km, but may be found lower during periods od less solar activity

In terms of function, the atmosphere can be divided into two layers:

Ionosphere, ozonosphere

Ionosphere

the outer layer that extends throughout the thermosphere and the mesosphere

Ozonosphere

the layer that contains a high concentration of ozone and is found in the stratosphere; sensitive to human activities

In terms of chemical compostion, the atmosphere can be divided into two regions:

Heterosphere, Homosphere

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

molecules containing fluorine, chlorine, and carbon; were used as propellants in aerosol sprays, foam for insulation, and refrigerants

Constant Gases

show almost no change in concentration throughout the history of Earth's modern atmosphere

Variable gases

present in small amounts that vary on a daily, monthly, or yearly time scale; absorb or emit greenhouse gases because they trap heat in the lower atmosphere

Particulates

solids and liquid droplets that enter the atmosphere from natural and human sources

Pollutants

gases and particulates that are harmful to humans or the environment

Anthropogenic

human caused pollution

Photochemical smog

a mixture of pollutants that results from the interaction of sunlight and direct emissions

Industrial smog

air pollution with high concentrations of carbon dioxide, particulates, and sulfur oxides

Natural factors that affect air pollution

winds, local and regional landscapes, volcanic activity, temp inversions

Temperature Inversions

occurs when the environmental lapse rate increases with altitude instead of decrease with altitude

Air Quality Index

daily air quality conditions

Shortwave radiation

What earth recieves

Longwave radiation

what earth emits

Solar radiation

Sun's radiant energy heats Earth's surface, drives wind and ocean currents, and initiates evaporation

Transmission

the uninterrupted passage of shortwave and longwave energy through the atmosphere or water

Direct Radiation

arrives at earth's surface by transofrming adn

Transmission

the uninterrupted passage of shortwave and longwave energy through the atmosphere or water

Direct Radiation

arrives at earth's surface by transofrming adn

Transmission

the uninterrupted passage of shortwave and longwave energy through the atmosphere or water

Direct Radiation

arrives at earth's surface by transofrming adn

Transmission

the uninterrupted passage of shortwave and longwave energy through the atmosphere or water

Direct Radiation

arrives at earth's surface by transofrming adn

Transmission

the uninterrupted passage of shortwave and longwave energy through the atmosphere or water

Direct Radiation

arrives at earth's surface by transofrming adn

Transmission

the uninterrupted passage of shortwave and longwave energy through the atmosphere or water

Direct Radiation

arrives at earth's surface by transofrming adn

Transmission

the uninterrupted passage of shortwave and longwave energy through the atmosphere or water

Direct radiation

arrives at Earth's surface by transmission and casts a shadow

Scattering

change the direction of radiations movement without altering its wavelengths

Diffuse Radiation

arrives at Earth's surface by scattering and is how we experience "daylight" on a completely overcast day

Two Types of scattering

Rayleigh, Mie

Refraction

the changing of direction of light or wavelengths through different mediums

Reflection

a portion of arriving insolation bounces directly back into space

Albedo

another name for reflection, percentage of insolation that is reflected is an important control

Absorption

the assimilation of radiation by molecules

Earth-atmosphere energy system naturally balances itself in a...

stable equilibrium

Counterradiation

heat emitted from the atmosphere toward Earth's surface

Greenhouse gasses

Gasses such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and affect Earth's climate

Effects of clouds

can cause cooling or heating of lower atmosphere; can reflect shortwave radiation (albedo); effects depend upon altitude, type, and thickness

Cloud-albedo forcing

An increase in albedo (the reflectivity of a surface) caused by clouds and results in a cooling effect

Cloud-greenhouse forcing

when clouds absorb and reradiate longwave radiation, leading to warming

What are the affects of Aerosols on earth's surface temp?

natural and unnatural aerosols cause cooling/heating, lighter colored aerosols reflect insulation, darker colored absorb radiation, AND reradiate heat

Insolation arrives during:

daylight

Net radiation

the sum of all radiation gains and losses; varies with daylength, season, amount of cloud cover, and latitude

Radiation

The transfer of heat energy by electromagnetic waves

Conduction

molecule to molecule transfer of heat

Convection

The transfer of heat by the movement of a fluid

Advection

horizontal transfer of heat by the mixing or circulation of fluids

Two important types of heat in Earth's energy budget:

Sensible Heat, latent heat

Sensible heat

comes from kinetic energy of molecular motion; can be sensed by humans as temperature

Latent heat

energy gained or lost when water changes from one state to another (solid, liquid, gas)

Specific Heat

the heat capacity of a substance

Temperature

a measure of the average kinetic energy of individual molecules in matter

Steven's Screen

device for taking standardized official air temperature readings

Insolation

the single MOST important influence on temperature variations

Several controls that produce temperature patterns:

Latitude, altitude and elevation, cloud cover, land-water heating differences

Insolation is ________ intense at low altitudes

MORE

Air density ________ with ________ altitude

decreases/increase

Altitude

airborne objects or heights above Earth's surface

Elevation

height of a point on Earth's surface ABOVE a plane of reference (Ex. sea level)

Evaporation is ______ over water surfaces, resulting in _______ temps over water.

higher/lower

Transparency of water affects the transmission of insolation, resulting in a ________ distribution and storage of energy of water.

Isoline

a line along which there is a constant value

Isotherm

line that connects pairs of equal temp to display the temp pattern

Thermal equator

a line around Earth connecting all points of highest mean temp

In January, Southern Hemisphere has summer, isoline trends ______.

Southward

In July, Northern hemisphere has summer, isoline trends ______.

Northward

Cold snap

Period of COLD weather

Heat wave

period of very hot avg temps

wind chill

correlates cold and wind speed

heat index

correlates heat and humidity

urban heat island

a city or metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities

Drivers of UHI

Loss of natural vegetation, replacement of vegetation by impervious materials, waste heat from vehicles, AC, industries, etc., trapping of heat by building canyons