Climate - The Atmosphere

What is the stmosphere?

An envelope of gases consisting of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% other gases.

Explain the atmospheric heat budget

What is incoming solar radiation known as?

insolation

What is the main source of energy driving our weather systems?

The sun

Where is most of the energy from the sun absorbed?

Equator

Where is most of the energy lost?

Polar regions

How is solar radiation redistributed to higher latitides?

Circulation (wind and air)

How is energy recieved?

As short-wave radiation

How much energy does the sun provide in comparison to how much we use?

It provides more energy in an hour than we humans use in a year

Define short-wave radiation

Energy from the sun that enters the atmosphere. They are very short wavelengths like UV and visible light

Define long-wave radiation

Energy leaving the earth as infrared radiation at low energy and contains less energy than short-wave radiation

Define convection

The transfer of heat by movement of gas or liquid

Define conduction

The transfer of heat by contact

What is the greenhouse effect?

The process where water vapour, CO2, CH4, CFCs allow short-wave radiation to pass through the atmosphere and heat the earth.

What is the resultant of the greenhouse effect?

That long-wave radiation gets trapped

What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?

A result of increased quantities of GHGs in the atmosphere due to human activity and their impact on the fragile atmospheric systems.

What are 5 examples of stores?

1. Land

2. Oceans

3. Clouds

4. Atmosphere

NOT FINISHED

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