Physical Geography - Chpt 4

Sensible Heat

heat we can feel/sense

measure with thermometer

Latent Heat

can NOT feel

can NOT measure with a thermometer

released or absorbed as a substance change

form from 1 state to another (solid, liquid, gas)

Conduction

molecule-to-molecule heat transfer 

transfer of heat within a body or between adjacent matter by means of internal molecular movement

Convection 

heat transferred through movement 

process by which a circulation is produced within an air mass or fluid body (heated material rises, cooled material sinks); also, in tectonic plate theory, the method whereby heat is transferred to Earth’s surface from deep within the mantle.

Heterosphere

Outer atmosphere

gases sorted by gravity

located above homosphere

Homosphere

inner atmosphere

gases are evenly blended to function as single gas

located below heterosphere

Layers in Atmosphere

-ionsphere

-mesosphere

-troposphere

-ozonosphere

ionsphere

cosmic rays

xrays

gamma rays

mesosphere

helps the ozone layer

Troposphere

surface to illumination

temp changes at normal rate (35F/1,00ft or 6.4/1,000m)

-where H20 vapor is

-90% of the mass in the atmosphere

ozonosphere

breaks down U.V

in atmosphere- 

stratosphere 

absorbs uv

CFCs and bromides break down O3 in atmosphere 

Shortwave

• comes from sun

• hot body

• high energy '

• ultra violet

• good at breaking ozone down and soring as heat

• causes skin cancer and has a negative impact on life

Visible Light

short wave preserved as violet/blue

longer-red

the sky

earth absorbs it and reflects it back as heat, which contributes to warming the atmosphere.

Longwave Radiation

comes from earth 

cooler body 

lower energy 

earth emits infrared radiation that warms the atmosphere.

sunsets

Scattering

changing the direction of light without changing wavelengths

shortwave scatters easier and is hotter

goes back to space

Refraction

scattered down to earth

when light passes through different mediums, causing it to change direction and speed.

Gases in Atmopshere

include nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other trace gases that play vital roles in Earth's climate and weather.

Albedo

amount of reflectance a surface has

HIGH albedo

reflects a lot

-light surface

LOW albedo 

absorbs more energy 

-dark colored surface

Greenhouse gases

gases in the atmosphere absorb and emit heat energy

-longwave thermal Infared

-natural and anthropogenic

CO2, METHANE,O3, CFC, H2O WATER VAPOR

-planet would be cold without

Incoming Solar Radiation

Energy received from the sun at our atmosphere is 342 watts or 100% of the incoming energy, to track its flows in EEB.

-part of solar energy reflects directly back to space

Celsius

part of international system of unites (metric system) 

-0=freezing point 

-100=boiling point

(at standard sea level temps)

Kelvin

temperature scale developed by Lord Kelvin, equal to Celsius scale plus 273; no temperature can drop below absolute zero, which is 0 on the Kelvin scale.

Specific Heat

The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius or Kelvin. It is a property that describes how much energy a substance can store.

Temperature

degree of heat or cold and its measurement.

Temperature Lag

between the highest sun angle at solar noon and the warmest daytime temperature results from the time it takes to heat Earth’s surface

-energy radiated to the atmosphere

Cyclic Day

night variations referred to as DIURNAL changes are related to Earths daily rotation

Cloud Cover

heavy cloud cover makes the temperature feel cooler due to less insolation and can lead to increased precipitation.

Nitrogen

is a colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere and is essential for plant growth as a key component of amino acids and proteins.

Oxygen

is a colorless, odorless gas that comprises about 21% of Earth's atmosphere, vital for respiration in animals and humans, and is produced by plants during photosynthesis.

CO2

is a colorless gas that is a byproduct of respiration and combustion, making up about 0.04% of Earth's atmosphere. It is essential for photosynthesis in plants, as they utilize it to produce oxygen.

UV Radiation

is a type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun, consisting of wavelengths shorter than visible light. It can cause skin damage, sunburn, and increases the risk of skin cancer.

Ozone in atmosphere

is a gas composed of three oxygen atoms (O3) that forms a layer in the Earth's stratosphere. This layer absorbs the majority of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, protecting living organisms on Earth.

Ozone on the surface

is a harmful pollutant that can cause respiratory problems and damage crops. It forms when sunlight reacts with pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the atmosphere.

Net radiation

is the difference between incoming solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial radiation, determining the energy balance of the Earth's surface.

Diffuse Radiation

is solar radiation that has been scattered by molecules and particles in the atmosphere, resulting in a softer and more uniform light that reaches the Earth's surface.

Cloud-albedo forcing

refers to the effect of clouds on the Earth's radiative balance, specifically how their reflectivity alters the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the surface.

Cloud Greenhouse forcing

is the impact of clouds on the Earth's greenhouse effect, where they trap outgoing infrared radiation, thus warming the atmosphere and altering energy balance.

influences on temperature patterns

are the various factors, including solar radiation, cloud cover, and geographical features, that affect how temperature varies across different regions of the Earth.

Maritime

 relating to weather, climate, or atmospheric conditions in coastal or oceanic areas.

Continental

the distance a particular place is located away from the ocean; the greater the distance, the greater the continentality.

Elevation

refers to the height of a location above sea level, which affects temperature and climate, typically resulting in cooler temperatures at higher altitudes.

Global Temperature Average 

the mean temperature of the Earth's surface, calculated over a specific time period to assess climate change.