Systems and Spheres
This type of system allows both matter and energy to cross its boundary.
What is an open system?
This type of radiation passes through the atmosphere largely unchanged and reaches Earth's surface.
What is visible light?
This motion of Earth causes day and night.
What is rotation?
This substance has a much higher specific heat capacity than air.
What is water?
This warm ocean current helps keep Europe warmer than similar latitudes in Canada.
What is the Gulf Stream?
This Earth system includes all water on or near Earth's surface.
What is the hydrosphere?
The reflectivity of a surface is called this.
What is albedo?
Earth's axis is tilted by approximately this many degrees.
What is 23.5°?
This process occurs when thermal energy is transferred by direct molecular collisions.
What is conduction?
This effect causes moving air and water to veer from their paths because of Earth's rotation.
What is the Coriolis effect?
Scientists define this thin layer where all life exists on Earth.
What is the biosphere?
Approximately this percentage of incoming solar energy is absorbed by Earth's surface.
What is 49%?
The climate zone between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn is called this.
What is the tropical zone?
This process distributes heat through the movement of fluids like air and water.
What is convection?
This weather event is associated with unusually warm Pacific Ocean waters.
What is El Niño?
This system allows energy but not matter to cross its boundary.
What is a closed system?
These gases absorb infrared radiation and help keep Earth warm.
What are greenhouse gases?
At the equator, day and night are approximately this many hours long year-round.
What are 12 hours each?
The energy required to convert a liquid into a gas is called this.
What is heat of vaporization?
These high-speed air currents occur about 10-15 km above Earth's surface.
What are jet streams?
Some scientists consider this the only truly isolated system.
What is the universe?
Earth maintains its average temperature through this balance of incoming and outgoing energy.
What is Earth's radiation budget?
Earth is actually closest to the Sun during this month.
What is January?
Water's specific heat capacity is approximately this value in J/g·°C.
What is 4.19 J/g·°C?
This type of precipitation forms when moist air rises over mountains and cools.
What is orographic precipitation?