WEATHER vs. CLIMATE
The short-term conditions of the atmosphere at a specific time and place.
Weather
This Milankovitch cycle describes Earth's orbit changing from more circular to more elliptical.
eccentricity
During this event, warmer Pacific Ocean water moves eastward toward the Americas
El Niño
This atmospheric layer contains the ozone layer.
stratosphere
Name the two gases specifically identified in the study guide as affecting the greenhouse effect.
Carbon dioxide and methane
The long-term pattern of weather in a region.
Climate
This cycle describes Earth's axis changing its tilt.
obliquity
During this event, trade winds become stronger.
La Niña
This layer absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.
ozone layer
Burning fossil fuels adds this greenhouse gas to the atmosphere.
carbon dioxide
A tornado occurring over a few minutes is an example of this.
Weather
This cycle describes Earth's axis wobbling like a spinning top.
precession
Upwelling increases due to strogner winds, and fishing near the west coast of South America becomes better
La Nina
Increased exposure to UV radiation can increase the risk of this disease.
skin cancer
This activity reduces Earth's ability to absorb CO₂ because fewer trees are available to take in carbon dioxide.
deforestation
Scientists must study weather patterns over a long period of time to identify this.
Climate
This Milankovitch cycle can make seasons more or less extreme.
obliquity
During this event, upwelling decreases and fishing near the west coast of South America becomes worse.
El Niño
These chemicals are primarily responsible for depletion of the ozone layer.
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)
Name four activities that increase greenhouse gases according to the study guide.
Fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, agriculture, and landfills.
Explain why one tornado cannot prove that Earth's climate is changing.
A tornado is a short-term weather event. Climate change is determined by studying long-term patterns and trends.
This cycle can cause the seasons to switch because Earth's axis slowly changes its orientation.
precession
A scientist observes weaker trade winds, warm water moving toward the Americas, decreased upwelling, and worse fishing near South America. Identify the event.
El Niño
Put these atmospheric layers in order from lowest (close to earth) to highest (furthest from earth):
Exosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere.
Troposphere → Stratosphere → Mesosphere → Thermosphere → Exosphere
As the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere increases, what generally happens to Earth's temperature, and why?
Earth's temperature generally increases because CO₂ is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in Earth's atmosphere.