Layers of the Atmosphere
In which layer of the atmosphere would you find all weather?
Troposphere
What season is the Northern Hemisphere in when it is tilted away from the sun?
Winter
Name the 3 main gases in the atmosphere and their percentages.
Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), and Argon (0.9%)
What sink is not involved in the Phosphorus cycle but is involved in the Carbon and Nitrogen cycles?
Atmosphere
Would you likely find a rainforest or a desert at 0 degrees latitude?
Rainforest
In which layer of the atmosphere would you find the ozone layer?
Stratosphere
Describe the weather conditions during low pressure and high pressure.
- Low pressure causes precipitation and clouds.
- High pressure causes clear conditions.
What is a barometer used for?
To measure air pressure
What are the 3 molecules converted by Nitrogen fixation?
Ammonia/Ammonium (NH3/NH4), Nitrite (NO2), and Nitrate (NO3)
What is the name for a wind that is blowing towards the northwest?
Southeast Winds
In which layer of the atmosphere would you find meteors being burned up?
Mesosphere
The Coriolis Effect causes winds to bend _______ in the Northern Hemisphere and __________ in the Southern Hemisphere.
clockwise; counterclockwise
What types of readings are shown on an isobaric map?
Air pressure
What is the difference between a Carbon sink and a Carbon reservoir?
- A sink stores nutrients for a short amount of time.
- A reservoir stores nutrients for a long period of time.
A cloud moves from the equator towards the poles. What happens to its speed compared to the Earth?
It would appear to be moving faster than the Earth.
In which layer of the atmosphere would you find a high amount of Helium and Hydrogen?
Exosphere
Name all 3 circulation patterns and their location on the globe.
- Hadley Cells: 0-30 degrees N and S latitude
- Ferrel Cells: 30-60 degrees N and S latitude
- Polar Cells: 60-90 degrees N and S latitude
What types of readings are shown on an isothermic map & a streamline map?
Temperature & wind direction
How do humans impact the Nitrogen & Phosphorus cycles and the Carbon cycle?
- Humans add synthetic fertilizers to the soil, which impacts the Nitrogen and Phosphorus cycles by creating algal blooms and nutrient pollution in waterways.
- Humans add Carbon to the atmosphere by destroying photosynthetic forests and burning fossil fuels.
Winds blow _______ an area of high pressure and __________ an area of low pressure.
away from; towards
List the layers of the atmosphere in order from closest to Earth to farthest away.
Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
Describe El Nino conditions.
- Decreased trade winds
- Increased westerly winds
- Hot & dry drought conditions in Australia & Indonesia (Western Pacific)
- Warm & wet weather in North and South America (Eastern Pacific)
- Sea level higher in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
- Reduced/no upwellings off the South American coast
- Warm water on South American coastline
Name the 3 major events that scientists believe led to the formation of our current atmosphere.
- Condensation of water vapor into oceans after large amounts of volcanic activity and the Earth cooling down
- Dissolving of Carbon Dioxide into oceans (reduction of CO2)
- Algae and plants photosynthesizing to form Oxygen (reduction in CO2, increase in O2)
What processes differ between the slow Carbon cycle and the fast Carbon cycle?
- The slow Carbon cycle involves ocean sedimentation and volcanic eruptions.
- The fast Carbon cycle involves photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition.
Describe La Nina conditions.
- Unusually strong trade winds
- Strong upwellings off the South American coast
- Lower than normal ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean; warm water in Indonesia
- Dry in North America and South America (Eastern Pacific)
- Flooding in Indonesia and Australia (Western Pacific)
- Sea level higher in the Western Pacific Ocean