APES - MODULE 22 Unit 4 Test

insolation

Incoming solar radiation - earth’s main source of energy

albedo

Some of the light that reaches the surface of the Earth is reflected back

seasons are caused by

Earth’s tilt

When one side of the planet is tilted more closely to the sun, that is

summer

& winter is vice versa

main atmospheric gases (99% of atmosphere)

Nitrogen gas (N₂) and Oxygen gas (O₂)

but mostly nitrogen

trace gases

the other 1% of atmosphere: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide… greenhouse gases

5 layers of atmosphere (farthest to closest)

• Exosphere (600-10,000 km)

• Thermosphere (85-600 km)

• Mesosphere (50-85 km)

• Stratosphere (16-50 km)

• Troposphere (0 to 16 km)

troposphere

closest to the surface, contains the bulk of the particles, and has immediate effects on species through climate and pollution

stratosphere

2nd closest layer, aka ozone (O₃) layer which absorbs most of the UV-B (ultraviolet) radiation, and all of the UV-C radiation

mesosphere

3rd closest layer, where most meteors burn before reaching the surface

thermosphere

4th closest layer, important in blocking X-ray and some UV radiation

exosphere

farthest layer, where satellites orbit the planet

4 air properties that determine its atmospheric circulation

• Density

• Water vapor capacity

• Adiabatic heating and cooling

• Latent heat release

saturation point

maximum amount of water vapor that can be in the air at a given temperature

As air rises higher in the atmosphere, the pressure __.

decreases, and allows the rising air to expand in volume, which ultimately lowers the air temperature.

adiabatic cooling

cooling effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises in the atmosphere and expands

adiabatic heating

heating effect of increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of the earth and decreases in volume

latent heat release

release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water

Atmospheric convection currents

global patterns of air movement that are initiated by the unequal heating of the Earth – regions near the equator receive more solar radiation than regions near the poles

As the air absorbs and releases heat, it rises and falls over and over again

Hadley cells

convection currents that cycle between the equator and 30° N and 30° S

Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ).

At the latitude with the most intense sunlight, two of these Hadley cells converge

polar cells

convection currents formed by air rising at 60° N and 60° S and sinking at the poles (90° N and 90° S).

Ferrell cell

convection currents found between Hadley and polar cells

Coriolis effect

deflection of an object’s path due to the Earth’s rotation

why does deleflection occur?

occurs moving north or south because the larger circumference of the equator causes air to move faster than it does at the poles

how does the Coriolis effect alter global wind directions?

explains prevailing wind directions and how deflection occurs according to latitude