Ch 4 - Physical Systems (1)

What are the main abiotic components of the environment?

Solar energy, atmosphere, ocean currents, climate, and weather.

What is the role of solar energy in the Earth's environment?

It provides energy for life, powers biogeochemical cycles, and determines climate.

Define albedo.

The reflectance of solar energy off the Earth's surface, with dark colors having low albedo and light colors having high albedo.

What is the composition of the atmosphere by percentage?

21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen, and traces of argon, carbon dioxide, neon, and pollutants.

What happens to temperature as altitude increases in the troposphere?

Temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere.

What is the Coriolis Effect?

It causes surface winds to be deflected; to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

What is the primary driver of atmospheric circulation?

Temperature differences caused by variations in solar energy reaching the Earth's surface.

What occurs during the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)?

It leads to periodic large-scale warming of surface waters in the tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean, affecting global weather patterns.

How do rain shadows form?

Mountains force humid air to rise, cool, and precipitate on the windward side, leading to dry conditions on the leeward side.

What is the key difference between weather and climate?

Weather refers to atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place, while climate is the average weather over a long period.

What is a tornado?

A powerful funnel of air associated with severe thunderstorms, formed from colliding cool and warm air.

What are the three types of plate boundaries?

Divergent (plates moving apart), convergent (plates colliding), and transform (plates sliding past each other).

How are tsunamis generated?

By undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides.

What is the effect of mangroves on storm surges and tsunamis?

They absorb storm surges and decrease the intensity of tsunamis and cyclones as they reach land.

What geologic features can result from subduction?

Mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas formed from the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.

What is the purpose of the ozone layer in the stratosphere?

It absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the Sun, protecting life on Earth.

What defines a tropical cyclone?

Giant rotating tropical storms like hurricanes, formed over warm surface waters and influenced by the Earth's rotation.

Describe the basic process of ocean currents.

Surface ocean currents are influenced by prevailing winds and the Earth's rotation, creating gyres and patterns of ocean circulation.

Identify the main factors influencing precipitation.

Global atmospheric circulation, prevailing winds, water bodies, and topography.

What happens to air when it cools as it rises?

It condenses to form clouds and may lead to precipitation.