Earth’s Systems & Seasons
What are Earth's four major spheres?
Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere
What is the difference between heat and temperature?
Heat is the total energy of molecular motion, while temperature measures the intensity of that motion.
What are the three phases of water?
Solid, Liquid, Gas
What is the name for a large body of air with uniform temperature and humidity?
Air Mass
What are the three primary zones of latitude?
Tropical, Temperate, and Polar
What is the primary source of energy for Earth?
The Sun
What is relative humidity?
The amount of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount it can hold at a given temperature.
What type of front forms when warm air moves over cold air?
Warm Front
What phenomenon explains why we have seasons on Earth?
The tilt of Earth's axis (23.5°) and its revolution around the Sun
What process causes the sky to appear blue?
Rayleigh Scattering
What is the Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DAR)?
The rate at which an unsaturated air parcel cools as it rises: 10°C per 1000m.
What type of storm system is responsible for most winter storms in the U.S.?
Midlatitude Cyclone
Which latitude receives the most direct sunlight year-round?
The Equator (0° latitude)
What is albedo, and how does it affect temperature?
Albedo is the reflectivity of a surface; high albedo (e.g., ice) reflects more sunlight, keeping temperatures cooler.
What is the term for when rising air cools to the point where condensation begins?
Lifting Condensation Level (LCL)
What are the four stages of a tropical cyclone (hurricane) in order?
Tropical Disturbance → Tropical Depression → Tropical Storm → Hurricane
What is the difference between a positive and negative feedback loop?
A positive feedback loop amplifies changes (e.g., Arctic ice melting), while a negative feedback loop counteracts changes (e.g., cloud cover reflecting sunlight).
What law explains why solar energy decreases with distance from the Sun?
The Inverse Square Law
What are the three main types of atmospheric stability?
Stable, Unstable, and Conditionally Unstable
Why are tornadoes most common in the central U.S.?
Warm, moist air from the Gulf meets cold, dry air from Canada, creating instability.