GEO Test 4

Chapter 4 (10-15 questions)

1. Properties of Water (4.1)

• Specific Humidity: The mass of water vapor in a given mass of air. It varies with temperature and moisture content.

• Relative Humidity: A percentage that compares the current amount of water vapor in the air to the maximum amount the air can hold at a given temperature. When relative humidity reaches 100%, the air is saturated.

• Water-Vapor Capacity: The amount of water vapor air can hold at a given temperature. Warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air.

2. Specific Humidity vs. Relative Humidity (4.2)

• Specific Humidity: Measures the mass of water vapor in the air.

• Relative Humidity: Measures how saturated the air is, comparing current moisture content with the maximum capacity of the air at a given temperature.

3. Stable and Unstable Air, Adiabatic Lapse Rates, Environmental Lapse Rate (4.5)

• Stable Air: Air that resists vertical motion; clouds form only in certain conditions (usually in areas with cooler temperatures).

• Unstable Air: Air that rises easily because it is warmer and less dense than the surrounding air, leading to more vertical development of clouds and storms.

• Adiabatic Lapse Rate: The rate at which the temperature of an air parcel changes as it rises or sinks (the dry adiabatic lapse rate is 10°C per 1000m, while the saturated rate is slower).

• Environmental Lapse Rate: The actual rate at which the temperature of the surrounding air decreases with altitude.

4. Dewpoint Temperature (4.4)

• The temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor and condensation begins to form. It’s a measure of how much moisture is in the air.

5. Rain Shadow Effect, Windward, Leeward, and Adiabatic Lapse Rates (4.5, 4.7)

• Rain Shadow Effect: Mountains block the movement of moist air, leading to a wet windward side and a dry leeward side.

• Windward: The side of the mountain range that faces the wind, where air rises and cools, leading to precipitation.

• Leeward: The opposite side where the air descends and warms, resulting in dry conditions.

• The rain shadow effect is linked to the adiabatic lapse rates because air cools as it rises on the windward side and warms as it descends on the leeward side.

6. Types of Precipitation (4.11)

• Includes rain, snow, sleet, hail, and drizzle. Different types form based on temperature, air pressure, and humidity.

7. Where the Wettest and Driest Climates are Located (4.13)

• Wettest: Areas around the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone) and coastal regions, like tropical rainforests.

• Driest: Deserts and areas in the rain shadow or far from moisture sources.

8. Drought (4.14)

• A prolonged period of below-average precipitation leading to water shortages.

9. Extremes of Precipitation and Return Interval (4.14)

• Return Interval: The average period between events of a certain intensity (e.g., a 100-year flood means it has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year).

Chapter 7 (28-32 questions)

1. Climate on a Hypothetical Earth-like Planet (7.15)

• Use knowledge of climate factors like latitude, ocean currents, and atmospheric circulation to predict the climate of an Earth-like planet.

2. Relating Climate Types to Factors like Latitude, ITCZ, Subtropical Highs, etc. (7.1)

• A, B, C, D, E Climate Types: These refer to the Köppen climate classification based on temperature, precipitation, and seasonality:

  • A: Tropical (hot and wet year-round)

  • B: Arid (desert or semi-desert)

  • C: Temperate (mild, with seasonal changes)

  • D: Continental (cold winters, warm summers)

  • E: Polar (cold all year)

• Climate factors to understand include latitude, ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone), Hadley cell, polar high, and seasonality.

3. Maritime vs. Continental Climate (7.1)

• Maritime: Climates influenced by nearby oceans—milder winters and cooler summers.

• Continental: More extreme temperature differences between summer and winter, due to distance from oceans.

4. Köppen Classification, Temperature, Precipitation, Seasonality (7.1)

• Know the broad climate categories (A, B, C, D, E) and understand the general characteristics that define them.

5. Where the 5 Climate Types Occur (7.1)

• For example, tropical climates (A) are near the equator, desert climates (B) are found in subtropical or continental interiors, and polar climates (E) are at high latitudes.

6. Tropical Rainforest, Tropical Monsoon, Tropical Savanna (7.4)

• Tropical Rainforest: Found near the equator, affected by the ITCZ, warm temperatures, and high rainfall year-round.

• Tropical Monsoon: Similar to rainforests but with a distinct dry season.

• Tropical Savanna: Also near the equator, but with a distinct wet and dry season (ITCZ migration).

7. Mediterranean Climate (7.6-7.7)

• Found in areas around 30° latitude, influenced by the subtropical high, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

8. Humid Subtropical Climate (7.6-7.7)

• Found on the southeastern sides of continents, influenced by warm ocean currents and latitude.

9. Hot Desert Climate (7.5)

• Characterized by low precipitation, extreme temperature ranges, and dry conditions. Found near 30° latitude (subtropical highs).

10. Polar Climates (7.8)

• Polar climates are extremely cold year-round. Some are moderated by ocean currents (e.g., coastal areas).

11. Greenhouse Effect (7.12)

• The process by which certain gases (like CO₂) trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, keeping the planet warm enough to support life.

12. Climate Change Effects (7.12 and slides)

• How rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and other factors are affecting the planet.

13. Proxy Data, Dendrochronology (7.11)

• Proxy Data: Indirect evidence (e.g., tree rings, ice cores) used to infer past climate conditions.

• Dendrochronology: The study of tree rings to understand past climates.

14. Feedbacks (7.12)

• Positive Feedback: Processes that amplify climate change (e.g., melting ice reduces reflectivity, causing more warming).

• Negative Feedback: Processes that counteract change (e.g., more clouds reflecting sunlight).

Chapter 17 (7-11 questions)

1. Biodiversity, Richness, Invasive Species (17.5-17.6, 17.15)

• Biodiversity: The variety of life forms in an area.

• Richness: The number of species in a given area.

• Invasive Species: Non-native species that can harm ecosystems.

2. NPP, Photosynthesis, Factors that Promote NPP (17.8)

• NPP (Net Primary Productivity): The rate at which plants produce useful energy for ecosystems. High in tropical rainforests, low in deserts.

3. Disturbance, Succession, Climax Community (17.9)

• Disturbance: Any event that disrupts an ecosystem (e.g., fire).

• Succession: The process by which ecosystems change over time after a disturbance.

• Climax Community: The final, stable community in an area after succession.

Chapter 18 (7-11 questions)

1. Biomes and Climate Types (18.1-18.3)

• Biomes are large ecosystems defined by climate (e.g., tropical rainforest, desert). Review the relationship between climate classification (A, B, C, D, E) and biomes.

2. Forest, Grassland, Desert, Tundra Biomes (18.5-18.13)

• Forest: Types include tropical rainforests and temperate deciduous forests. Fires play a role in many forests.

• Grasslands: Characterized by low precipitation, often result from climatic factors like seasonal drought.

• Deserts: Defined by low precipitation, temperature extremes, and vegetation adapted to dry conditions.

• Tundra: Cold, treeless areas with short growing seasons, influenced by latitude and ocean temperatures.

3. Highest and Lowest NPP (18.1)

• Highest NPP: Tropical rainforests.

• Lowest NPP: Deserts and tundras.

Other (1-5 questions)

1. Heat Wave and Wet Bulb Temperature Assignments

• These likely involve understanding the concepts of heat waves (extended periods of excessive heat) and wet bulb temperature (a measure of humidity and temperature used to gauge heat stress).