Atmosphere, Wind and Clouds
The ratio of how much water vapor is in the air vs how much the air can hold is....
... relative humidity.
The primary cause of the movement of air masses in our atmosphere.
Different Densities
High pressure air masses are associated with _________ air
cold
Sinkholes are formed when...
...ground water is removed in an area leaving a void in which the ground cannot support.
Ocean waves are primarily formed due to what?
Wind
__________________ was most responsible for changing Earth atmosphere by creating oxygen which allowed for larger life forms to evolve.
Algae
These breezes occur at night as the land cools off more quickly than the water, causing wind from the land to the ocean.
Land Breeze
What are the three climate zones on Earth?
Tropical, Temperate, Polar
What is the water table?
The boundary level where soil and rock become completely saturated with water.
Ocean currents that flow around the world influence the climate in coastal regions. The gulf stream bring warm water up the coast of the eastern US then continues across the Atlantic. What is the climate of western Europe like as a result of this current?
Temperate
Absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation as it reacts chemically in the atmosphere this part of our atmosphere helps to protect life on Earth.
Ozone Layer
What are the three ways energy is transferred.
Radiation, Convection, Conduction
In order for thunderstorms to occur what is required?
Warm moist air
____________ occurs when water from precipitation soaks into the ground.
Ocean ridges are formed as...
two plates move apart.
Earth's early atmosphere consisted primary of hydrogen and helium, however the modern atmosphere contains what gasses in what percentages?
Nitrogen - 78%
Oxygen - 21%
Argon - 1%
Other Trace gases - <1%
Tiny particles of water vapor condense around the _______________ to form clouds.
When looking at the doppler radar this feature indicates a tornado could form.
Hook
The land area in which tributaries feed into a river system is called _________
watershed.
This effect causes wind and ocean currents to bend instead of traveling in a straight line.
Coriolis Effect
What layer and why do meteorites burn up in our atmosphere?
Mesosphere due to friction with gas molecules.
What occurs in a occluded front?
A fast moving cold front catches up to a slower moving warm front, results in violent thunderstorms.
The most damaging winds can be found in what part of a hurricane?
Eye wall
A deep narrow river with many rapids and waterfalls is considered to be what kind of river?
Young river
What occurs between the subtidal and bathyal zones of the ocean?
Light cannot reach the depths any longer.