Insolation and Greenhouse Effect
What is the study of the Earth's Atmosphere called?
Metrology
Which day of the year does the sun reach it's highest point in the sky at noon for a location in the Northern Hemisphere?
Summer Solstice
What do you use to measure temperature?
Thermometer
Which planet is closest to the sun?
Mercury
Definition of Rotation?
It is the motion which something does when it spins on a specific plane or line
Definition of Insolation?
The amount of solar radiation (sunlight) reaching the earth's surface
If you are standing at the equator where will the sun appear to rise and seton the equinoxes?
Directly east and Directly west
Which direction does the wind blow from when a weather vane points towards the west?
The wind is blowing from the east
What is the name of the belt of asteroids located between Jupiter and Mars?
The Asteroid Belt
What is the primary consequence of Earth's rotation?
Day and Night
What are the four ways insolation can create different heating?
Duration, Angle, Color, and Land vs Water
What causes the different lengths of daylight hours throughout the year?
Earth's tilt on it's axis as it orbits the sun
What does a sudden drop in barometric pressure usually indicate?
An approaching storm system
What is the name of Earth's natural satellite?
The Moon
What is the difference between Earth's rotation and revolution?
Rotation refers to the spinning of the Earth on its axis, while revolution refers to its orbit around the sun.
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
When the atmosphere absorbs and traps insolation of the sun
How can you use the sun's position in the sky to determine the time and day?
By observing the sun's elevation and position relative to east and west
What are the five weather variables?
Air Temperature, Humidity, Transparency, Pressure, and Movement
Which planet is known for its extreme axial tilt, causing it to appear to "roll" on its side?
Uranus
If you were standing on the equator, how would the speed of Earth's rotation compare to someone standing at the North Pole?
Someone standing at the equator would experience a faster rotation speed than someone at the North Pole
What are the Greenhouse Effect Gases called?
Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), and Water Vapor (H2O)
What is the "ecliptic" and how does it relate to the sun's path across the sky?
The ecliptic is the apparent path of the sun across the sky throughout the year, representing the plane of Earth's orbit around the sun
What is the main factor the determines the type of precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, hail)?
The temperature of the air at different levels of the atmosphere.
What is the primary component that makes up the majority of the gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn?
Hydrogen
How does Earth's rotation affect the Coriolis Effect?
The Earth's rotation causes the Coriolis Effect, which influences the movement of winds and ocean currents