Solar Energy/Atmosphere
This source provides almost all energy that drives atmospheric processes on Earth.
What is the Sun?
This happens to sunlight when it bounces off clouds, ice, or bright surfaces.
What is reflection?
This gas, produced by respiration and burning fossil fuels, is the most discussed greenhouse gas.
What is carbon dioxide?
TRIPLE!!! Earth’s three major convection cells per hemisphere include the Hadley, Ferrel, and this cell.
What is the Polar cell?
The equator receives more direct sunlight than this region, causing major temperature differences.
What are the poles?
This area on Earth receives the most direct sunlight.
What is the equator?
DOUBLE!!! Gas molecules in the atmosphere cause this process, which makes the sky look blue.
What is scattering?
The blanket that surrounds the Earth and creates the greenhouse effect.
What is the atmosphere?
DOUBLE!!! Winds are named or described by this specific thing.
What is the direction they come from?
Air rising. Is it cold or warm?
What is warm air?
TRIPLE!!! The type of pressure that cool, sinking air brings.
What is high pressure?
This is the reason asphalt is hot during the summer time.
What is absorption?
DOUBLE!!! Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide all contribute to this atmospheric process.
What is the greenhouse effect?
These winds blow east from the poles towards the equator.
What are the polar easterlies?
TRIPLE!!! Hot air rises and cold air sinks, creating currents driven by this type of heat transfer.
What is convection?
DOUBLE!!! The amount of energy from the sun coming into the atmosphere equals about the same as the energy leaving the atmosphere.
What is the Earth's energy budget?
TRIPLE!!! The amount of incoming solar energy that is reflected back to space by Earth’s surfaces and atmosphere is known as this.
What is albedo?
The greenhouse effect helps maintain this type of temperature on Earth.
What is habitable?
What are sea breeze and land breeze?
These large-scale pressure differences created by uneven heating cause air to move.
What are winds?
If the amount of energy from the sun coming into the atmosphere is more than the amount of energy leaving the atmosphere, this could happen.
What is warming/increasing temperatures of the Earth?
Dark surfaces absorb more energy because they have this kind of albedo.
What is a low albedo?
This human activity is the largest source of added CO₂ to the atmosphere.
What is burning fossil fuels?
These two areas on Earth are the most calm and there is not a lot of wind. They are at the equator and about 30 degrees N & S.
What are the doldrums and the horse latitudes?
The three wind belts:
What are the trades, Westerlies, and Easterlies?