Global Climate Chapter 4

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to global climate, atmospheric layers, weather dynamics, and their implications.

Weather

Atmospheric conditions over short periods of time within small geographical areas.

Climate

Describes the pattern of atmospheric conditions found across large geographic regions over long periods of time.

Troposphere

The bottom most layer of the atmosphere, 11km high, where temperatures decrease with altitude and contains most atmospheric mass.

Stratosphere

Layer of the atmosphere from 11km to 50km, characterized by little vertical mixing and an increase in temperature with altitude due to the ozone layer.

Mesosphere

Atmospheric layer from 50km to 80km where air pressure is extremely low and temperatures decrease with altitude.

Thermosphere

Layer from 80km to 500km with very low air pressure, where temperatures increase with altitude and charged gas molecules glow.

Atmospheric Pressure

The force per unit area produced by a column of air, which decreases with altitude.

Relative Humidity

The ratio of water vapor a given volume of air contains to the maximum amount it could contain at a given temperature.

Albedo

The percentage of incoming light that is reflected from a surface; Earth's average is 30%.

Air Density

The mass of all molecules in the air in a given volume; less dense air rises while more dense air sinks.

Dew Point

The temperature to which the air has to be cooled to reach saturation.

Latent Heat Release

The energy released when water vapor condenses to liquid water, enhancing convection.

Atmospheric Convection Current

Global patterns of air movement initiated by the unequal heating of Earth.

Fronts

Boundaries between air masses that differ in temperature and moisture.

High Pressure System

Contains cooler air that descends and spreads outwards, usually associated with good weather.

Thermal Inversion

A layer of cool air beneath a layer of warmer air, which inhibits vertical mixing.

Hadley Cells

Convective air currents contributing to global climatic patterns, with rising warm air at the equator.

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of north/south air currents to a partly east-west direction due to Earth's rotation.

Hurricanes

Storms formed when winds rush into areas of low pressure with rising warm, moisture-laden air.

Tornadoes

Storms formed when a mass of warm air meets a mass of cold air, creating a powerful convective current.