Climate and Earth Systems Exam 2 Study

A collection of vocabulary flashcards for studying key concepts in Climate and Earth Systems relating to the upcoming exam.

Energy flux

The rate of energy transfer through a surface, measured in W/m².

Stefan-Boltzmann law

A law stating that the energy flux (F) radiated by a black body is proportional to the fourth power of its absolute temperature (T): F = σT^4.

Albedo

The proportion of light or radiation that is reflected off of a surface, expressed as a percentage.

Convection

The process by which warm air rises and cool air sinks, leading to the transfer of heat within the atmosphere.

Infrared radiation

Electromagnetic radiation emitted by all objects based on their temperature, primarily emitted by the Earth's surface.

Terrestrial radiation

The natural radiation emitted by the Earth, particularly as longwave radiation from its surface.

Hadley Cell

A tropical atmospheric circulation that features rising air near the equator, travelling poleward at high altitudes, and sinking air in the subtropics.

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of moving objects caused by the Earth's rotation, affecting wind and ocean currents.

Net radiation

The difference between incoming and outgoing radiation energy at a particular surface.

Greenhouse gases (GHGs)

Gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, including carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor.

Mixed layer

The upper layer of the ocean where wind and waves mix water, leading to temperature uniformity.

Ekman transport

The process by which wind-driven currents move surface water away from a coast, leading to upwelling of nutrient-rich water.

Monsoon

A seasonal prevailing wind that produces wet and dry seasons, influenced by changes in temperature and pressure.

Thermocline

A layer in a body of water where the temperature changes rapidly with depth.

Meridional overturning circulation (MOC)

A large-scale ocean circulation pattern that moves warm water northward and cold water southward.

Climate model

A representation of the Earth's climate system, used to simulate and predict weather and climate patterns.

Hadley cell

Tropical atmospheric circulation responsible for the trade winds and tropical rainforest ecosystems.

Upwelling

The process where deep, cold water rises to the surface, often bringing nutrients that support marine life.

Relative humidity (RH)

The amount of water vapor present in the air compared to the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at a given temperature.

Clausius-Clapeyron relationship

The relationship between temperature and vapor-saturation pressure, stating that warmer air can hold more water vapor.

Jet streams

Narrow bands of strong winds in the upper atmosphere that influence weather patterns.

ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone)

The region near the equator where trade winds converge, leading to frequent thunderstorms and low pressure.

Heat capacity

The amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of a given quantity of a substance by one degree Celsius.

Radiation balance

The balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial radiation.

Abyssal water

Cold, dense water found at the ocean's depths, formed primarily in polar regions and responsible for deep ocean circulation.

Southern Oscillation

The atmospheric pressure changes associated with El Niño and La Niña phenomena, affecting climate patterns globally.