Geosci-Climate

How do we know air has mass?

we can weigh it

How do we know air exerts a force?

it can expand a balloon

How do we know air takes up space

somthing full of air, can’t fit anything else

what does air do in a low pressure system?

it rises, accumulating in the atmosphere, causing precipitation (wet climates)

between 0-30, and 60-90 latitudes the winds are blowing from…to… (name?)

from east to west, and are called the trade winds

between 30-60 latitudes winds are blowing from…to…(name?)

west to east, these are called the westerlies

why does direct sunlight heat a surface more than indirect sun?

Because the radiation is more focused

the sun’s rays are the most direct at what angle?

90-degree angle

what are the five factors that affect climate?

1. Latitude (as lat inc, temp dec)

2. Elevation (as ele inc, temp dec)

3. Closeness to body of water (temp becomes less x-treme)

4. Ocean Currents (warmish/coldish moderate temps)

5. Orographic (mountains affect on climate)

What are the four main Greenhouse gasses?

1. methane

2. Co2

3. water vapor

4. nitrous dioxide

what is a climate proxy?

something that responds to temp or precipitation ( not exact )

what causes global warming today?

The burning of fossil fuels

what two main pieces of evidence suggest the global warming is human caused?

1. more C12 in atmosphere (from fossil fuels)

2. Co2 levels drastically increase after start of industrial rev

what is the current co2 PPM

417

Oregon’s three climate zones?

The coast, Willamette Valley, Eastern Oregon