Climate and Atmospheric Science

These flashcards cover key concepts in climate and atmospheric science, including principles of atmospheric circulation, climate patterns, and properties of light.

Hadley Cell

A large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern where warm air rises at the equator and sinks at around 30° latitude.

ITCZ

Intertropical Convergence Zone; areas of low pressure near the equator where trade winds meet, resulting in rising air and rain.

Convection

The transfer of heat by the physical movement of fluid; warm air rises and cool air sinks.

Urban Heat Island Effect

A phenomenon where urban areas become warmer than their rural surroundings due to human activities.

Evapotranspiration

The process of water evaporation from soil and transpiration from plants; a key factor in climate.

Albedo

The measure of how much light that hits a surface is reflected without being absorbed; high albedo surfaces reflect more light.

Cyclone

A system of winds rotating inward to an area of low atmospheric pressure, often bringing stormy weather.

Anticyclone

A system of winds rotating outward from a center of high atmospheric pressure, usually associated with calm, clear weather.

Spring Tide

The highest tidal range that occurs when the sun, moon, and earth are aligned, causing the combined gravitational pull.

Neap Tide

The lowest tidal range that occurs when the sun and moon are at right angles relative to the earth, resulting in less gravitational pull.

La Niña

A climate pattern characterized by stronger trade winds and cooler sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific.

El Niño

A climate pattern characterized by weaker trade winds and warmer sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific.

Upwelling

The process where deep, cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface, often supporting high biological productivity.

Ocean Salinity

The saltiness or concentration of salt in ocean water, which is often lower near the equator due to high rainfall.

Monsoon

A seasonal wind pattern that causes wet and dry seasons, driven by differences in temperature between land and sea.

Occluded Front

A front formed when a cold front overtakes a warm front, lifting the warm air off the ground.

Doppler Effect

A change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the wave source.

Redshift

The phenomenon where light from distant galaxies is shifted to longer wavelengths, indicating they are moving away from the observer.

Blueshift

The phenomenon where light from approaching objects is shifted to shorter wavelengths, indicating they are moving closer.

Hubble’s Law

The observation that the farther away a galaxy is, the faster it is moving away from us.