Gases in the Atmosphere and Heating
Two of the earliest gases found in the Atmosphere are?
Hydrogen and Helium
The Aoura Borealis occurs in which layer of the atmosphere?
Thermosphere
What is a series of windy gusts formed when a downward draft hits the Earth’s surface with particularly strong force?
Downburst
Name 2 way humans impact climate change?
Fossil fuel usage, deforestation, agricultural practices.
What is it called when temperature increases with altitude?
Temperature inversion
What percentage of solar energy is absorbed by earth?
a.20%
b.30%
c.50%
d.100%
c. 50%
Why does temperature decrease with altitude in the troposphere?
The troposphere is heated primarily by the ground as it absorbs and emits the suns radiation.
This type of weather event is a result of warm waters off the pacific and effects weather around the world. (wet conditions in the SW United states)
El Nino
Name one way the biosphere affects the climate?
Living organisms are directly involved in both the carbon and nitrogen cycle
also humans role in pollution
What percentage of solar energy is reflected back into space?
a. 20%
b.30%
c.50%
d 80%
b.30%
What warms the atmosphere by giving off heat as water changes states?
Latent Heat
The highest concentration of ozone is located in which layer of the atmosphere?
Stratosphere
Would you expect an air mass that sits over the ocean to be warmer or cooler than one that sits over land?
Cooler
What is the reason for the seasonal changes we experience?
Tilt in the earths axis. Hemisphere tilted towards sun gets more direct rays=less atmosphere to travel through.
What is the most prevalent gas found in the atmosphere today?
Nitrogen
What gas do photosynthetic organisms remove from the atmosphere?
CO2
What is the coldest layer of the atmosphere?
Mesosphere
Which type of cloud is associated with sever weather?
a. Cumulonimbus
b.Cirrus
c.Startus
d. Cirrocumulus
a. Cumulonimbus
Which of the following would have a maritime climate?
a. California
b. Iowa
c. Michigan
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is short term atmospheric changes
Climate is long term.
Name 3 greenhouse gasses found in the atmosphere?
CO2, CH4, N2O, water vapor, Flourinated gasses
List the layers of the atmosphere starting with the lowest.
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
Describe the process of Lightning formation?
Lightning is the result of the build up of electrostatic charge in clouds. Air currents in clouds cause ice crystals to collide causing a separation of charge. Electrons build up at the bottom of the cloud and eventually are pulled down to the ground (positive). Once the connection is made between the electrons and the positively charged ground, we see lightning
Describe the reflective properties of ice vs land and how they impact the climate?
Ice is going to reflect more of the suns energy=lowering global temperatures
Landis going to absorb more of the suns energy=increasing global temperature
What would you expect to happen when a warm and cold air mass meet?
Cold air mass will push the warm air mass upward. Condensation (precipitation) is likely to form.