Earth's Climate Systems and Energy Balance: Key Concepts and Processes

What is the Sun's role in Earth's energy system?

The Sun is the primary source of energy for Earth's climate and life systems.

What is the biosphere?,

The biosphere includes all living organisms and the physical environments they interact with (atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere).

Define atmosphere.,

The layer of gases surrounding Earth that regulates temperature and supports life.

What is the hydrosphere?,

All water on Earth — in oceans, rivers, lakes, ice and vapor.

What is the lithosphere?,

Earth's solid crust and uppermost mantle that supports landforms and ecosystems.

Explain the net radiation budget.,

The balance between incoming solar energy and outgoing terrestrial energy that determines Earth's climate.

What causes seasons on Earth?,

Seasonal changes are caused mainly by Earth's tilt and its position in orbit around the Sun.

What is the greenhouse effect?,

A natural process where greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, warming the planet.

Name three major greenhouse gases.,

Carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour.

How does radiation transfer energy?,

Radiation moves energy through space as electromagnetic waves.

What is convection in Earth's systems?,

Convection is the movement of heat through fluid (air or water) as warmer material rises and cooler material sinks.

How do global winds form?,

Global winds form due to uneven heating on Earth, causing air to move between areas of high and low pressure.

How does Earth's climate affect biomes?,

Climate determines temperature and precipitation, shaping the characteristics of major biomes.

What is climate change?,

Long-term changes in climate patterns often caused by changes in energy balance and greenhouse gas levels.

Give an example of a human action that impacts climate.,

Burning fossil fuels increases greenhouse gases, altering Earth's energy balance and climate.

What is an open system in Earth science?,

A system where both matter and energy can be exchanged across its boundaries (e.g., a biome).

What is a closed system?,

A system where only energy (but not matter) crosses the boundary (e.g., Earth as a whole).

Define isolated system.,

A system where neither matter nor energy is exchanged with the surroundings (rare in nature).

What is the troposphere?,

The lowest layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs and temperature usually decreases with altitude.

What is albedo?,

The ability of a surface to reflect solar radiation; higher albedo means more reflection.

What is a radiation budget?,

The balance between incoming solar energy and outgoing terrestrial energy on Earth.

How does cloud cover affect Earth's energy balance?,

Clouds can reflect solar energy (cooling) and trap terrestrial energy (warming), influencing net radiation.

What is the hydrologic cycle?,

The continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.

What processes transfer thermal energy in fluids like air and water?,

Convection — heat transfer by the movement of fluids (air or water).

What role do ocean currents play in climate?,

They redistribute heat around the globe, affecting regional climates.

What is specific heat capacity?,

The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance by 1 °C; water's high specific heat moderates climate.

Why does the angle of solar incidence affect climate?,

Because higher angles concentrate solar energy more, leading to warmer climates (e.g., at the equator).

What is a climatograph?

A graph showing a region's average temperature and precipitation over a year to illustrate its climate.

Name four factors affecting climate.,

Latitude, altitude, distance from the ocean, and surface ocean currents.

How can human activities impact climate?,

By increasing greenhouse gas emissions (like CO₂) through burning fossil fuels and land-use changes.