Unit 9 Global Change

Albedo

The fraction of the light or radiation that’s reflected by a surface

Atmosphere

The layer of gases that envelopes the Earth

CFCs

Ozone-depleting synthetic compounds made up of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine atoms

Convection currents

The process of heat transfer within the Earth that causes hot, less dense matter to rise and cool matter to sink

Coriolis effect

Causes moving objects to be deflected to the right in the N Hemisphere and to the left in the S Hemisphere.

ENSO

A warming of the Pacific Ocean between South America and Papua New Guinea

Hadley cell

Low-latitude overturning circulations that have air rising at the equator and air sinking at roughly 30° latitude

Kyoto Protocol

Int. agreement that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

Montreal Protocol

First int. agreement that aims to phase out the use and production of ozone-depleting chemicals.

Thermal expansion

When water heats up, it expands

Trade winds

Winds that blow steadily from east to west and toward the equator over most of the Torrid Zone.