Regents Semester 1 Review: Weather, Climate, and Plate Tectonics

A comprehensive set of question and answer flashcards covering Earth Science topics including atmospheric layers, weather patterns, climate change, plate tectonics, and surface processes based on state lab materials.

What is the troposphere?

The atmospheric layer closest to Earth’s surface, donde weather and air movement occurs.

What is the function of the stratosphere?

It contains the ozone layer, which absorbs UV light to protect life from damage.

How do air molecules create atmospheric pressure?

Air molecules press down on everything they touch.

What happens to atmospheric air pressure as altitude increases?

Atmospheric air pressure decreases as altitude increases.

From which areas does air move to create winds?

Air moves from areas of HIGH pressure to LOW pressure.

How does air move in high-pressure versus low-pressure systems?

In high-pressure systems, higher density causes air molecules to sink; in low-pressure systems, lower density causes air molecules to rise.

How does temperature affect moisture capacity?

Higher temperatures can hold more moisture than lower temperatures.

What are the characteristics of a Maritime Polar ($mP$) air mass?

It is cold and moist, bringing cool, foggy, and rainy weather.

What are the characteristics of a Continental Tropical ($cT$) air mass?

It is hot and dry, bringing clear skies and very hot temperatures.

Which air mass brings the hot, humid weather of summer?

Maritime Tropical ($mT$), which is warm and moist.

Which air mass brings bitter cold, clear winter days?

Continental Polar ($cP$), which is cold and dry.

How does air pressure change in cold air compared to warm air?

Air pressure changes faster in colder air than in warmer air.

What is the difference in tropopause height between warm and cold air?

The height of the tropopause is higher in warm air than it is in cold air.

What forces drive convection cells in the atmosphere?

Temperature and density differences.

Which global wind patterns do winter storm tracks and hurricanes follow in the US?

Winter storm tracks follow the westerlies, while hurricanes follow the trade winds.

What is an occluded front?

A complex front that develops when a faster-moving cold front catches up to and overtakes a slower-moving warm front.

What is the difference between glacial and interglacial cycles?

Glacial periods involve more ice (like an ice age), while interglacial periods occur between glacial periods and have less ice and warmer temperatures.

What are the three sources of natural climate variation in Milankovitch cycles?

Eccentricity, Obliquity (Tilt), and Precession.

How does eccentricity affect the seasons?

Eccentricity is the reason seasons are different lengths; as it decreases, the length of seasons gradually evens out.

What is the role of obliquity in Earth's climate?

Obliquity is the angle Earth's axis is tilted, which is the reason Earth has seasons.

Define albedo.

A measure of how well surfaces reflect sunlight, where light surfaces have high albedo and dark surfaces have low albedo.

What is the difference between positive and negative feedback loops?

Positive feedback loops accelerate conditions adding to them over time, while negative feedback loops regulate conditions to make them stable.

Why is cloud cover considered a negative feedback?

Increased clouds reduce incoming solar radiation and limit warming, regulating the condition.

What drives ocean circulation?

Temperature and salinity (saltiness).

What happens to ocean currents when ice sheets and glaciers melt?

Freshwater is introduced into the circulation, which weakens ocean currents.

Why is Earth considered a closed system?

Energy can flow freely in and out, but matter can only be recycled or changed.

What is the greenhouse effect?

A natural process where specific atmospheric gases, such as $CO_2$, trap the Sun's heat.

List the layers of the Geosphere from the outside in.

Lithosphere (Crust), Asthenosphere (Mantle), Outer Core, and Inner Core.

How do temperature, density, and pressure change toward the center of the Earth?

Temperature, density, and pressure all increase towards the center of the Earth.

What is the difference between P-waves and S-waves?

P-waves (primary or pressure) pass through solids, liquids, and gases, while S-waves (secondary or shear) pass through solids ONLY.

How does the focal depth of an earthquake affect surface damage?

Shallow earthquakes generally cause more damage because they release energy closer to the surface, while deep earthquakes cause less damage.

How do the three types of rocks form?

Igneous rocks form from cooling magma or lava; Sedimentary rocks form from sediments with water and compaction; Metamorphic rocks form from immense heat and pressure over millions of years.

What occurs at a convergent plate boundary?

Plates collide, forming mountains or volcanoes.

What occurs at a divergent plate boundary?

Plates split apart or move away from each other, causing rifts or ridges.

What is a subduction zone?

A location where plates go underneath another, causing massive earthquakes and many volcanoes.

What causes tsunamis?

Tectonic activity such as underwater earthquakes, volcanoes, or meteor strikes.

Define weathering and erosion.

Weathering is the breaking down of rocks into sediments by water, air, and living things; erosion is the transport of those weathered rocks by natural forces.

What components of a river change as it ages?

Gradient (slope change rate), Velocity (water speed), and Channel Shape.

Define porosity, permeability, and retention.

Porosity is the percentage of empty space in rocks/sediments; permeability is the ability of water to flow through; retention is the ability to hold onto water.