ch 4 physical systems
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53 Terms
the sun does the following…
provides energy for life, powers biogeochemical cycles, and determines climate
what is albedo?
the reflectance of solar energy off earths surface
Solar energy doesn't hit Earth uniformly b/c of earth's ____ (greater at the poles and less at the equator) and Earth's _____
shape and tilt
seasons are determined by….
earths tilt, which causes each hemisphere to tilt toward the sun for half the year
what is the composition of earths atmosphere?
78% nitrogen , 28% oxygen, and 1% CO2, neon, helium, and pollutants
density ____ as altitude _____
decreases and increases
what is the troposphere?
this where weather occurs and temperature decreases with altitude
what is the stratosphere?
this is where the temperature increases with altitude and this is where the ozone layer absorbs UV
what is the mesosphere?
the coldest layer
what is the thermosphere?
this layer absorbs x-rays and short-wave UV radiation, which is very hot
what is atmospheric circulation?
the sun heats the air, then the warm air rises, cool and sinks (It helps regulate Earth’s temperature.)
What happens to rising warm air at 0° latitude?
It splits and travels toward the poles, transferring heat from the equator.
What occurs when air reaches ~30° latitude?
The air cools, sinks, and then moves north and south at the surface.
where is atmospheric circulation repeated, and what happens?
At 60° latitude, warm air rises, splits, and continues the cycle.
what are winds?
complex, horizontal surface air currents
What two factors influence winds?
Atmospheric pressure and Earth’s rotation.
How do winds move in relation to atmospheric pressure?
Winds blow from high pressure to low pressure.
What happens when there is a big difference in atmospheric pressure?
stronger winds occur
In which direction does Earth rotate?
Earth rotates from west to east.
How are surface winds deflected in the Northern Hemisphere?
to the right
How are surface winds deflected in the Southern Hemisphere?
to the left
Where is the Coriolis Effect strongest and the weakest?
At the poles and at the equator
what are prevailing winds?
earths major surface winds that blow continuously and affect surface ocean currents
Where do Polar Easterlies blow from in the Northern Hemisphere?
from the northeast near the north pole
Where do Polar Easterlies blow from in the Southern Hemisphere?
from the southeast near the south pole
Where do Prevailing Westerlies blow from in the Northern Hemisphere?
from the southwest
Where do Prevailing Westerlies blow from in the Southern Hemisphere?
from the northwest
Where do Trade Winds blow from in the Northern Hemisphere?
from the northeast
Where do Trade Winds blow from in the Southern Hemisphere?
from the southeast
What causes ocean currents and gyres?
Prevailing winds generate ocean currents and gyres.
How do Trade Winds affect ocean currents in the North Atlantic?
They blow west, pushing surface waters in that direction.
How do Westerlies affect ocean currents in the North Atlantic?
They blow east, helping to form a circular pattern.
What type of gyre is created in the North Atlantic?
a clockwise gyre
What influences the circular movement of ocean gyres?
The Coriolis Effect
deep ocean currents are affected by______ ______
vertical mixing
what is El Niño- Southern Oscillation (ESNO) ?
a periodic large scale warming of surface waters of tropical E. Pacific Ocean
What happens under normal conditions in the Pacific Ocean?
Westward-blowing trade winds keep the warmest water in the western Pacific.
What happens during ENSO conditions?
Trade winds weaken, and warm water expands eastward toward South America.
what factors influence percipitation?
global atmospheric circulation, prevailing winds, water bodies, and topography ( the landscape)
what are rain shadows?
dry areas on the leeward side of a mountain
what is weather?
the conditions in the atmosphere at a given place and time ( percip, Humidity, wind, clouds)
what is climate?
the average weather conditions that occur in a given place over a period of years
what is a tornado?
a powerful funnel of air associated with severe thunderstorm
what is a tropical cyclone?
a giant rotating tropical storm
what is the lithosphere?
the outermost rigid rock layer composed of plates
what is the asthenosphere?
upper mantle comprised of hot soft rock
what is plate tectonics?
study of processes by which the lithospheric plates move over the asthenosphere
what is divergent?
plates moving apart
what is convergent?
plates colliding
what is transform plate boundary?
when plates slide
what is an earthquake and what is it caused by?
caused by the release of accumulated energy as rocks in the lithosphere suddenly shift or break
How do mangroves and wetlands help during storms?
They absorb storm surges and reduce the intensity of tsunamis and cyclones before they reach land.