Atmosphere and Climate Practice Flashcards

This flashcard set covers the vocabulary and key concepts regarding the atmosphere's structure, elements of weather and climate, seasonal patterns in India, climate change, floods, and carbon footprints based on the provided lecture transcript.

Atmosphere

The thick layer of air surrounding the Earth that protects life, provides the air we breathe, and helps regulate temperature.

Climate

The average weather conditions of a place recorded over a long period of time.

Troposphere

The lowest layer of the atmosphere extending from $8\,km$ at the poles to $18\,km$ at the equator, containing nearly $75\%$ of the atmospheric mass.

Lapse rate

The average rate at which temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere, specifically $1^{\circ}\,C$ for every $165\,m$.

Stratosphere

The layer above the troposphere extending up to $50\,km$ containing the ozone layer and featuring minimal air turbulence, making it ideal for airplanes.

Tropopause

The boundary layer that separates the troposphere and the stratosphere.

Mesosphere

The middle layer extending up to $80\,km$ where meteorites burn up due to friction with gaseous particles.

Stratopause

The boundary layer between the stratosphere and the mesosphere.

Ionosphere

Also known as the thermosphere, it extends to $450\,km$ and contains ionized gas atoms that facilitate satellite communication and radio transmission.

Exosphere

The outermost layer of the atmosphere that lacks dust and water vapour and merges into space.

Nitrogen

The largest component of the atmosphere ($78\%$) which is essential for plant growth and reduces the intensity of oxygen.

Oxygen

The second most abundant gas in the atmosphere ($21\%$) that is essential for respiration and supports combustion.

Argon

A chemically inactive gas ($0.93\%$) used in electric bulbs and welding to prevent oxidation.

Carbon Dioxide

A greenhouse gas ($0.04\%$) used by plants for photosynthesis that helps maintain Earth's temperature.

Weather

The day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere at a particular place and time.

Temperature Range

The difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures recorded over a specific period, usually $24$ hours.

Mean Daily Temperature

The average temperature of the day calculated as $\frac{\text{Maximum} + \text{Minimum}}{2}$.

Atmospheric Pressure

The force exerted by the weight of the air pressing down on the Earth's surface, measured in millibars ($mb$).

Barometer

An instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure, which averages $1013\,mb$ at sea level.

Wind

Air in motion moving from areas of high pressure to areas of lower pressure.

Wind Vane

A tool used to show the direction from which the wind is blowing.

Anemometer

An instrument with cups or blades used to measure wind speed.

Relative Humidity

A scale indicating how much moisture the air holds compared to its total capacity at a specific temperature, expressed as a percentage ($\%$).

Hygrometer

A scientific instrument used to measure humidity levels in the air.

Rain Gauge

A tool with a funnel and cylinder used by scientists to measure the depth of rainfall over a period.

Loo

Strong, hot, and dry winds that blow during the day in summer over northern and northwestern India.

Mango Showers

Pre-monsoon showers in Kerala and Karnataka that aid in the ripening of the mango crop.

Western Disturbances

Low-pressure systems originating over the Mediterranean Sea that bring winter rain to the northern plains of India.

Mahawat

The local name for the meagre but vital winter rainfall important for rabi crops in India.

October Heat

A period in early October marked by high temperatures and humidity after the retreat of monsoons.

Mawsynram

A village in the Khasi Hills that receives the highest average annual rainfall in the world.

Climate Change

The long-term shift in Earth's average temperature and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities like deforestation and burning fossil fuels.

Flash Flood

A violent and sudden surge of water caused by events like dam bursts, intense thunderstorms, or tsunamis.

Drainage Basin

The entire land area drained by a main river and its tributaries.

Flood Plain

The flat area alongside river channels that is covered by water during flood events.

Catchment Area

The area in the upper course of a river that captures rainfall and feeds the river system.

Water Divide

A high relief feature or mountain range that separates two different drainage basins.

Carbon Footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily $\text{CO}_2$, released into the atmosphere due to human actions, measured in tonnes of $\text{CO}_2$ equivalent ($\text{COe}$).

Direct Carbon Footprint

Emissions resulting from activities directly controlled by an individual, such as driving a car or using heating fuel.

Indirect Carbon Footprint

Emissions produced during the manufacturing and transportation of purchased goods like electronics and clothing.