climate practice!

Definition of a system

An object or group studied within a boundary

Define a closed system

A system that allows the energy to flow in and out but not matter. Example: Earth

Define an open system

Allows both energy and matter to flow in and out. Example: trees

Define and isolated system

Neither matter or energy can flow in or out. Example: The universe

What is the biosphere and what are the 3 layers

it’s the layer of air, land, and water that exists near the surface of the earth. Consists of the Atmosphere(air) Lithosphere( Land). Hydrosphere(water)

What is the atmosphere and what are the layers

The atmosphere is the layer of gasses surrounding Earth. Gasses consist of 78% Nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% of other gasses.

LAYERS

• Troposphere ( 0-10km)

  The layer that contains the most gasses and the only layer with the correct temperature and oxygen levels to support life.

• Stratosphere( 10-50km)

  Contains the ozone layer which absorbs majority of the suns rays.

• Mesosphere (50-80km)

  the layer where meteors break down

• Thermosphere(80+km)

  The hottest layer. Also the layer where the northern lights occur.

What does ozone do

Absorbs radiation from the sun.

What at the characteristics of the lithosphere

It’s the solid portion of the earth. Home to many microorganisms, plants, and animals. Extends from the earths surface to 100km below the surface.

What are the characteristics of the hydrosphere

Counts for all water in all its three phases( gas,liquids,solids). 97% is the salt water in oceans.

What is a cryosphere

Water temporarily frozen in polar ice caps, permafrost, glaciers

What is radiation budget

The earth maintaining and balancing the energy/temp by radiating as much energy into space that it absorbs from the sun.

Define albedo

An objects colour that affects the amount of energy it will absorb or reflect.

• Dark surfaces absorb energy so therefore have a low albedo. Example: Pavement or a black tshirt

• Light surfaces reflect energy so have a high albedo. Example: snow or a white tshirt

What is a greenhouse gas

Atmospheric gasses that trap heat from the sun near earths surface. Some examples are water vapour, CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and halocarbons.

Define climate

Trend in temperature, pressure, humidity, and precipitation over a period of many years. Weather, applies to these same conditions at one place and time

Is solar energy absorbed equally by the earth.

No because of earths spherical shape, tilt, of its axis, and its revolution around the sun.

What is the kind of energy we receive from the sun

Radiant energy. Radiant energy travels in waves and can reflected or absorbed ( albedo)

What happens to earth during La Niña

Occurs when winds increase in strength cool surface waters.has strong winds and results in cold weather for the America’s

What happens to earth during El Niño

Weaker winds, hot weather in the America’s

What does hvap stand for

Heat of evaporation

What does hfus stand for

heat of fusion

What is the angle of inclination

The angle of inclination is the earths tilt on its axis

How do greenhouse gasses impact earths radiation budget

They decrease the amount of infrared radiation leaving earth, causing an increase in temperature

Define convection

The transfer of heat through the movement of fluids. Convection currents are responsible for transporting heat from warmer regions to cooler regions.

Define conduction

The transfer of heat through direct contact of particles.

Define radiation heat transfer

The transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves.

What is the coriolis affect

An apparent invisible force caused by the rotation of the earth

What is the North Atlantic drift

A warm current that begins in the Caribbean and carries warm water up to Canada and the uk.

Define a sea breeze

When the land warm air rises and cool water moves onto the land

What is a land breeze

The reverse of a sea breeze.

Define a biome

A large geographical region signs specific climate that the lamps and animals that inhabit it are adapted to

Define a tundra biome

Permafrost, bitter, cold,and high winds meaning no trees, or Lucious plants. Very little annual rainfall. Examples: mountain tops around the world can be alpine tundra. Has a precipitation range of less than 80 and an average temperature of less than 5

Taiga( boreal forest)

Large terrestrial biome that are dominated by many coniferous trees. This biome is adapted to heavy snowfall. Has a precipitation range of 50-200mm and a temperance of -5-10

Define a grasslands biome

Deep rich soil for lots of agriculture, seasonal drought. Not many trees for mammals prevent the shrubs and trees. Has a precipitation range of less than 80mm and a temperature of around 0-20

Define a rainforest biome

Has large diversity for plants, and animals. Closed tree canopy. Has lots of layering. Gets a lot of rain. Has a precipitation range of over 230mm and and average temperature of 20-30

define a dessert biome

Very little rainfall, experiences extreme temperatures both hot and cold, organisms are forced to adapt to conserve water. Has a precipitation range of less than 80mm and and average temperature temperature of 20-30

Define a temperate forest biome

Mid latitudes, with enough moisture to support trees, contains mostly of deciduous trees. Has an average precipitation of 100-300mm and and average temperature of 0-20

Define the advanced greenhouse affect

Total gasses that are released from humans that contribute to the overall greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere, which therefore contribute to global warming.

Define insolsation

The solar radiation that makes its way through the atmosphere to the surface of the earth.

Define infrared radiation

A type of invisible electromagnetic energy that falls just beyond the red end of the visible light spectrum. Therefore infrared radiation is invisible to the human eye, but we experience it as heat.