EDUC 217: Chapter 16

visible light

radiation with a wavelength from 0.4 to 0.7 micrometer

diffused light

solar energy scattered and reflected in the atmosphere that reaches Earth's surface in the form of diffused blue light from the sky

specific heat

the amount of heat needed to raise 1 gram of a substance 1 degree Celsius at sea level atmospheric pressure

annual temperature range

the difference between the highest and lowest monthly temperature means

Spring Equinox

the equinox that occurs on March 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on September 21-23 in the Southern Hemisphere

heat

the kinetic energy of random molecular motion

mesosphere

the layer of the atmosphere immediately above the stratosphere and characterized by decreasing temperatures with height

stratosphere

the layer of the atmosphere that is above the troposphere, had increasing temperatures with height, due to the concentration of the ozone

troposphere

the lowermost layer of the atmosphere; it is generally characterized by a decrease in temperature with height

tropic of cancer

the parallel of latitude 23°1/3 north latitude, marking the northern limit of the Sun's vertical rays

Tropic of Capricorn

the parallel of latitude 23°1/3 south latitude, marking the southern limit of the Sun's vertical rays

reflection

the process whereby light bounces back from an object at the same angle at which it encounters a surface and with the same intensity

enviornmental lapse rate

the rate of temperature decrease with increasing height in the troposphere

scattering

the redirecting (in all directions) of light by small particles and gas molecules in the atmosphere; the result is more light rays with weaker intensity

albedo

the reflectivity of a substance, usually expressed as a percentage of the incident radiation reflected

Thermosphere

the region of the atmosphere immediately above the mesosphere and characterized by increasing temperatures due to the absorption of very shortwave solar energy by oxygen.

rotation

the spinning of a body, such as earth, about its axis

weather

the state of the atmosphere at any given time

inclination of the axis

the tilt of Earth's axis from the perpendicular to the plane of Earth's orbit

Radiation

the transfer of energy (heat) through space by electromagnetic waves. along with conduction and convection, it is a mechanism of heat transfer. the term can also refer generally to electromagnetic radiation.

conduction

the transfer of heat through matter by molecular activity. energy is transferred through collisions from one molecule to another

greenhouse effect

the transmission of short-wave solar radiation by the atmosphere, coupled with the selective absorption of longer-wavelength terrestrial radiation, especially by water vapor and carbon dioxide

catalyst

third, neutral molecule

annual mean

with respect to air temperature, the average of the 12 monthly temperature means

elements

with respect to weather and climate, quantities or properties of the atmosphere that are measured regularly and that are used to express the nature of weather and climate

Summer Solstice

-the solstice that occurs on June 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on December 21-22 in the Southern Hemisphere -the first "official" day of summer

convection

-transfer of heat by mass movement or circulation within a substance -only takes place in fluids

Which statement best summarizes the greenhouse effect?

After absorbing solar energy, Earth's surface emits long-wave radiation, which is absorbed by water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other trace gases in the atmosphere. These gases in turn emit some of the energy back down to Earth.

In what part of the electromagnetic spectrum does the Sun radiate maximum energy? How does this compare to Earth?

The Sun radiates maximum energy within the range of short-wave radiation, which is significantly more intense than the long-wave radiation emitted by Earth.

Why do isotherms shift north and south from season to season?

The Sun's vertical rays migrate with the seasons.

temperature gradient

The amount of temperature change per unit of distance.

daily range

The difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures for a day

Why do isotherms generally trend east-west?

The effectiveness of incoming solar radiation in heating Earth's surface and the atmosphere above is largely a function of latitude.

What is the environmental lapse rate, and how is it determined?

The environmental lapse rate is the decrease in temperature with the increase in altitude. This rate is determined through the use of a radiosonde, which ascends on a balloon and transmits data by radio.

Autumnal Equinox

The equinox that occurs on September 21-23 in the Northern Hemisphere and on March 21-22 in the Southern Hemisphere. also called the fall equinox

circle of illumination

The great circle that separates daylight from darkness.

daily mean temperature

The mean temperature for a day that is determined by averaging the hourly readings or, more commonly, by averaging the maximum and minimum temperatures for a day.

monthly mean

The mean temperature for a month that is calculated by averaging the daily means.

Please describe the outer edge of the atmosphere.

The outer edge of the atmosphere is not clearly defined, and it rapidly thins as one travels away from Earth.

Which of the following are basic elements of weather and climate?

air pressure, the type and amount of cloudiness present, the speed and direction of the wind, air temperature

Montreal Protocol

international agreement that was developed under the sponsorship of the United Nations to eliminate the production and use of CFCs

ozone

A molecule of oxygen containing three oxygen atoms.

Why are temperatures in the thermosphere not strictly comparable to those experienced near Earth's surface?

Molecules in the thermosphere move at high speeds, which would indicate high temperatures. However, the gases here are too sparse to possess a significant quantity of heat.

Which of the following answers describes the climate of an area as well as the weather of that area?

New York City has had record high temperatures of 70° F and record low temperatures of 0° F for the month of December. On December 15, 2015, the high of that day was 37° F and the low of that day was 27° F.

What is the relationship between the temperature of a radiating body and the wavelengths it emits?

Objects with higher temperatures emit shorter wavelengths; objects with lower temperatures emit longer wavelengths. Submit

Where do isotherms shift the most?

Over land

What is ozone, and why is ozone important to life on Earth?

Ozone is a molecule comprised of three oxygen atoms. It is important to life on Earth because the ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs harmful UV radiation.

ultraviolet (UV)

Radiation with a wavelength from 0.2 to 0.4 micrometer

infrared

Radiation with a wavelength from 0.7 to 200 micrometers

temperature control

factor that causes temperature to vary from place to place and from time to time

photochemical smog

- forms when strong sunlight triggers reactions among pollutants from car exhaust and industrial sources - Ozone is a major component in a noxious mixture of gases and particles

Chlorofluorocarbons

-the most significant of the offending chemicals -not chemically active -Known as CFC's

Why are water vapor and aerosols important constituents of Earth's atmosphere? Choose all that apply.

1. Aerosols can reflect incoming solar radiation 2. Aerosols provide surfaces for water vapor to condense on, forming clouds and fog 3. Water vapor absorbs solar energy and heat emitted by Earth 4. Aerosols can absorb incoming solar radiation

laws of radiation

1. All objects, at whatever temperature, emit radiant energy 2. Hotter objects radiate more total energy per unit area than do colder objects. 3. Hotter objects radiate more energy in the form of short-wavelength radiation than do cooler objects. 4. Objects that are good absorbers of radiation are good emitters as well.

What accounts for seasonal temperature changes?

1. Annual variations in the Earth-Sun distance 2. Seasonal variation in the angle of the Sun above the Earth's horizon 3. Changes in the length of daylight

What are the factors that cause land and water to heat and cool differently?

1. Evaporation from water bodies is greater than that from land surfaces. 2. The specific heat is far greater for water than for land. 3. The water that is heated often mixes with water below, thus distributing the heat through an even larger mass. 4. Land surfaces are opaque, so heat is absorbed only at the surface. Water, being more transparent, allows heat to penetrate to a depth of many meters.

Why is the atmosphere heated chiefly by radiation from Earth's surface? Choose all that apply.

1. Even though the short wavelengths from the Sun indicate that it is hotter than Earth, which emits long wavelengths, Earth's wavelengths are opaque to its atmosphere; thus, heat that was reemitted by Earth is retained within the atmosphere. 2. Earth emits long-wave radiation, which is readily absorbed by the atmosphere. Submit

What factors cause albedo to vary from time to time and from place to place? Choose all that apply.

1. The angle of the Sun's rays 2. The amount of cloud cover present 3. The nature of the surface struck by the Sun's rays 4. The amount of particulate matter in the atmosphere

important elements

1. air temp 2. humidity 3. type and amount of cloudiness 4. type and amount of precipitation 5. air pressure 6. the speed and direction of the wind

radiosonde

A lightweight package of weather instruments fitted with a radio transmitter and carried aloft by a balloon.

In what way can geographic position be considered a control of temperature?

A location where prevailing winds blow from the ocean on to the shore will experience the full moderating influence of the ocean (cool summers and mild winters) compared to an inland location at the same latitude.

What is air?

A mixture of many discrete gases, each with its own physical properties, in which varying quantities of tiny solid and liquid particles are suspended

air

A mixture of many discrete gases, of which nitrogen and oxygen are most abundant, in which varying quantities of tiny solid and liquid particles are suspended.

What is an isotherm, and what is the purpose of isotherms?

An isotherm is a line that connects points on a map that have the same temperature. Maps with isotherms have areas of low and high temperatures that are easy to pick out and assist with the visualization of the temperature gradient.

How does air pressure change with an increase in altitude?

As altitude increases, air pressure decreases. Submit

What is the primary cause of the seasons?

Changes in the angle of the Sun above the Earth's horizon

What are the major components of clean, dry air, and what are two significant variable components?

Clean, dry air is composed of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Its two significant variable components are gases and particles.

How can cloud cover influence the maximum temperature on an overcast day? How is the nighttime minimum temperature influenced by clouds?

Cloud cover during the daytime results in cooler days, whereas cloud cover during the nighttime results in warmer nights.

Describe the three mechanisms of heat transfer.

Conduction is the transfer of heat through matter by molecular activity; convection is the transfer of heat by mass movement or circulation within a substance; and radiation is the transfer of heat that travels out in all directions from its source.

Which of these calculations is incorrectly defined?

Daily range is calculated by averaging the maximum and minimum temperatures for a given day.

What is the significance of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn?

During the summer solstice, the Tropic of Cancer receives the vertical rays of the Sun; during the winter solstice, the Tropic of Capricorn receives the vertical rays of the Sun.

What are the three paths taken by incoming solar radiation, and what percentage of incoming solar radiation does each path generally deal with?

Fifty percent is absorbed at Earth's surface, 20% of the energy is absorbed by clouds and certain atmospheric gases, and 30% of the energy is reflected back to space.

selective absorbers

Gases that absorb and emit radiation only in certain wavelengths

Distinguish between heat and temperature.

Heat generally refers to the quantity of thermal energy present, whereas temperature refers to the intensity (i.e., degree of hotness).

Which area on Earth experiences the highest annual temperature range?

The polar regions

winter solstice

The solstice that occurs on December 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on June 21-22 in the Southern Hemisphere

Which of the options that follow correctly describes the four vertical layers of Earth's atmosphere from bottom to top?

Troposphere (temperature decreases as altitude increases), stratosphere (temperature remains constant and then begins to increase as altitude increases), mesosphere (temperature decreases as altitude increases), and thermosphere (temperature increases as altitude increases)

Distinguish between weather and climate.

Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a given time and place; climate is a description of aggregate weather conditions at a particular place and time.

climate

a description of aggregate weather conditions; the sum of all statistical weather information that helps describe a place or region

isotherm

a line connecting points of equal temperature

Temperature

a measure of the degree of hotness or coldness of a substance; a measure of the average kinetic energy of individual atoms or molecules in a substance

leeward coast

coast where the prevailing winds blow from the land toward the ocean

windward coast

coast where the prevailing winds blow from the ocean toward the land

aerosols

tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere

electromagnetic radiation

transfer of energy in the form of light and related types of radiation, including gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet light, infrared light, microwaves, and radio waves