APES Weather and climate

Weather

Describes the current physical conditions of the atmosphere, including temperature, moisture, pressure, and wind.

Climate

Description of long-term patterns of weather in a particular area.

Troposphere

Layer of the atmosphere extending from the surface up to 18 km, characterized by variable temperatures that drop with increased altitude.

Stratosphere

Layer of the atmosphere extending from the tropopause up to 50 km, known for stable temperatures and a high concentration of ozone.

Mesosphere

Layer of the atmosphere up to 80 km characterized by low temperatures.

Thermosphere

High temperature zone of the atmosphere, diminishing towards space.

Convection Currents

Vertical movements of air caused by temperature differences, carrying water vapor created by evaporation.

Coriolis Effect

Spiraling wind patterns created by convection currents influenced by the earth's rotation.

Cold Front

Occurs when a cooler moving air mass displaces warmer air.

Warm Front

Occurs when a warmer moving air mass slides up and over a cooler air mass.

Hurricanes

Large cyclonic ocean storms characterized by heavy rain and winds exceeding 74 mph.

Tornadoes

Strong swirling winds and uplifts created when a strong cold front pushes under a warm moist air mass over land.

Monsoons

Seasonal reversal of wind patterns caused by different heating and cooling rates of oceans and continents, leading to prolonged heavy rains.

Milankovitch Cycles

Periodic shifts in the earth's orbits and axis tilt that may explain major historical weather patterns.

Greenhouse Effect

The process by which greenhouse gases trap heat energy close to the earth's surface, making life possible.

Air Pollution

Foul, unclean, or dirty air that can be naturally occurring or anthropogenic in origin.

Primary Pollutants

Pollutants released directly from the source in a harmful form.

Secondary Pollutants

Pollutants modified to a hazardous form after their release.

Sulfur Oxide (SO2)

Pollutants generated primarily by coal combustion, contributing to acid deposition.

Nitrogen Oxides (NO)

Pollutants that can cause eye and lung irritation, primarily from combustion processes.

Carbon Oxides and Hydrocarbons

Pollutants primarily from fossil fuel combustion, including carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

Heavy Metals and Halogens

Toxic metals released during combustion and waste incineration, including lead and mercury.

Radon Gas

A carcinogen formed from the decay of naturally occurring uranium below ground.

Particulate Removal

Techniques for cleaning air, including the use of industrial filters and scrubbers.

What is condensation in the water cycle?

Condensation is the process where water vapor cools and changes back into liquid form, forming clouds.

What is precipitation in the context of the water cycle?

Precipitation refers to any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from clouds to the Earth's surface, like rain or snow.

What role do water bodies play in the water cycle?

Water bodies like rivers, lakes, and oceans collect water, contribute to evaporation, and provide moisture for the atmosphere.

What is the significance of the sun in the water cycle?

The sun provides the energy necessary for evaporation, driving the entire water cycle.

What is transpiration?

Transpiration is the process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere through tiny openings in their leaves.

Acid Deposition: sulfuric acid precipitation, carried by prevailing winds, alter the pH of land and water

Earliest atmosphere believe to be composed of

H gas and He,

what did volcanic emissions add into current composition?

C, N, O, S and other trace elements

What did the evolutionary development of photosynthetic producers add into the atmosphere

O2.

Current atmospheric composition is primarily

N2 gas, O2 gas, H2O vapor, aerosols, particulates.

Jet Streams

• Undulating hurricane force winds at the top of the troposphere 

• Affects weather pattern

Conventional (criteria) pollutants

Contribute the largest volume of air-quality degradation, identified by E.P.A (clean air act 1970)

equation for temperature anomaly

Anomaly = observed temp - baseline temp

What does a positive temperature anomaly indicate

the observed temperature is warmer than the long term average temperature

what does a negative temperature anomaly indicated

the oberserved temperature anomaly indicates cooler than the long-term average temperature

what does a temperature anomaly of zero indicate

the observed temperature has no change

ice cores

-the ratio of oxygen isotopes in ince indicates the temperature at the time ice was deposited as snow

- air bubbles can be analysed to measure carbon dioxide and methane concentrations at the time bubbles were trapped

Lake sediments

• composition and sedimentation rates change in response to environmental conditions

• pollen in sediments indicate the type of vegetation present

• plankton biota indicate physical and chemical conditions in lake

Ocean sediment cores

• contain primitive shelled animals (foraminifera) whose abundance in the surface layers of the ocean depend on surface water temperature and other conditions

Loess

• is deposits on land of wind borne material

• its accumulation at a particular location can provide information on past windiness and dryness

glaciers

• variations in the past size of glaciers can be inferred from location of rocks/debris deposited by glaciers and buried solids

Speleothems

glacial deposits membered within stalactites and stalagmites can be used to indicate periods of glacial advance

tree wing width

depends on the soil moisture and temperature

annual rings of trees in forest can be used to reconstruct past climates