p.52
Latent Heat and Humidity
What happens when relative humidity reaches 100 percent?
Water vapor condenses and forms clouds.
p.9
Albedo and Its Effects on Climate
What is albedo?
A measurement of how reflective a surface is.
p.4
Definition of Climate and Weather
What is the definition of weather?
The combination of temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, cloudiness, and other atmospheric conditions occurring at a specific place and time.
p.30
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
Is there a pattern in surface radiation across latitudes?
Yes, there is a distinct latitudinal pattern of surface radiation.
p.22
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
What causes the seasons on Earth?
The tilt of the Earth on its axis.
p.24
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
What are the key points in Earth's yearly orbit that illustrate changes in the angle of the Sun?
Equinoxes and the winter and summer solstices.
p.18
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
How does the angle of solar radiation affect its distribution?
At higher latitudes, it spreads over a larger area due to a steeper angle.
p.25
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
What occurs on the winter solstice at the poles?
A day of continuous darkness.
p.31
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What happens to air warmed at the surface?
It rises because it is less dense than the cooler air above it.
p.37
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What happens to air masses as they ascend and descend?
They create areas of low pressure when ascending and high pressure when descending.
p.6
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
What does wavelength (lambda) refer to in the context of radiation?
The distance between successive peaks of a wave.
p.38
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What causes the circulation of air around the Earth?
The rotation of the Earth.
p.11
Albedo and Its Effects on Climate
How does the albedo of sea ice and glaciers compare to that of ocean water?
Sea ice and glaciers have a much higher albedo (0.6) compared to ocean water (0.06).
p.29
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What balances the average net radiation on Earth?
The incoming shortwave radiation absorbed by the surface is offset by outgoing longwave radiation.
p.25
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
How does seasonality change as one moves from the equator to the poles?
Seasonality systematically increases from the equator to the poles.
p.15
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What occurs when outgoing longwave radiation exceeds incoming shortwave radiation?
Surface temperature decreases.
p.52
Latent Heat and Humidity
What happens to dew as the sun rises?
Dew evaporates, increasing vapor pressure in the air.
p.26
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
What factors contribute to annual variations in mean monthly solar radiation?
Different latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere.
p.51
Latent Heat and Humidity
What occurs when actual vapor pressure equals saturation vapor pressure?
Moisture in the air will condense.
p.50
Latent Heat and Humidity
How does cold air compare to warm air in terms of water vapor capacity?
Cold air has a lower capacity for water vapor than warm air.
p.53
Latent Heat and Humidity
What happens to saturation vapor pressure (VP) as air temperature increases?
Saturation VP increases with air temperature.
p.36
Coriolis Effect and Wind Patterns
What is the Coriolis Effect?
The apparent deflection of moving objects caused by the rotation of the Earth.
p.19
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What is the effect of declining net radiation with latitude?
It creates a gradient of decreasing mean annual temperature from the equator toward the poles.
p.8
Albedo and Its Effects on Climate
What happens to some of the shortwave radiation that reaches the Earth's surface?
It is reflected back into space.
p.29
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What would happen if the average net radiation were not zero?
The average temperature of the planet would either increase or decrease.
p.22
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
What happens during summer in relation to Earth's tilt?
The Northern or Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, resulting in hotter days.
p.34
Coriolis Effect and Wind Patterns
In which direction are air masses deflected in the Southern Hemisphere?
To the left (counterclockwise motion).
p.14
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What types of radiation are involved in net radiation?
Shortwave (solar) radiation and longwave (terrestrial) radiation.
p.20
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What is the approximate height of the Troposphere?
Up to about 8-15 km above Earth's surface.
p.6
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
What are the two types of radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum?
Solar (shortwave) and thermal (longwave) radiation.
p.33
Coriolis Effect and Wind Patterns
What does the law of angular motion state about momentum?
An object moving from a greater circumference to a lesser circumference will deflect in the direction of the spin, and vice versa.
p.44
Precipitation Distribution Across Earth
What is a major source of plastic pollution in the ocean?
Plastics released from ships and rivers.
p.48
Latent Heat and Humidity
How does temperature influence air moisture content?
Temperature affects the ability of air to hold moisture.
p.42
Ocean Currents and Gyres
What direction do ocean currents move in the Southern Hemisphere due to the Coriolis force?
Counterclockwise movement.
p.53
Latent Heat and Humidity
How is relative humidity calculated?
Relative humidity is the ratio of current VP to saturation VP multiplied by 100.
p.50
Latent Heat and Humidity
What is saturation vapor pressure?
The water vapor capacity of air that cannot be exceeded.
p.51
Latent Heat and Humidity
What is relative humidity?
The amount of water vapor in the air expressed as a percentage of the saturation vapor pressure.
p.50
Latent Heat and Humidity
What happens if vapor pressure exceeds saturation vapor pressure?
Condensation occurs, reducing the vapor pressure.
p.52
Latent Heat and Humidity
What phenomenon occurs on a cool fall morning when temperatures drop?
Dew or frost forms as relative humidity rises.
p.36
Coriolis Effect and Wind Patterns
Why is the Coriolis Effect important in meteorology?
It helps explain the rotation of weather systems and ocean currents.
p.15
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What is the average balance of incoming shortwave radiation and outgoing longwave radiation on Earth?
They are balanced on average.
p.37
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What do the cells of air movement produce?
Areas of low and high pressure.
p.55
Precipitation Distribution Across Earth
Is precipitation evenly distributed across the Earth?
No, precipitation is not evenly distributed.
p.16
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What does the global map of average annual surface radiation illustrate?
It shows the latitudinal gradient of net surface radiation.
p.38
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What is the significance of air circulation belts?
They influence global wind patterns.
p.7
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
What determines the exact nature of the energy emitted by an object?
The object's temperature.
p.32
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What occurs to air masses as they move poleward?
They cool, become heavier (more dense), and sink.
p.37
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What effect does air experience when moving poleward?
Longitudinal compression, leading to increased density.
p.24
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
What effect does the tilt of the Earth have on sunlight distribution?
It causes the point where the Sun is directly overhead to migrate throughout the year.
p.14
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
How is net radiation calculated?
By subtracting the amount of longwave radiation emitted back into space from the amount of shortwave radiation absorbed by a surface.
p.29
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
Is the average net radiation the same geographically across the planet?
No, geographically this is not the case.
p.50
Latent Heat and Humidity
How does saturation vapor pressure change with temperature?
It increases as air temperature increases.
p.49
Latent Heat and Humidity
What happens during condensation?
Water vapor transforms to a liquid state and releases energy.
p.51
Latent Heat and Humidity
What happens to a warm parcel of air as it rises?
It cools, and relative humidity increases.
p.38
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What are the main types of winds generated by air circulation on a rotating Earth?
Trade winds, westerly winds, and easterly winds.
p.18
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
What is the first factor influencing the variation of solar radiation at higher latitudes?
Solar radiation hits the surface at a steeper angle, spreading sunlight over a larger area.
p.18
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
What is the second factor affecting solar radiation at higher latitudes?
Solar radiation must travel through a deeper layer of air at a steep angle.
p.22
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
What seasonal changes occur as summer transitions to fall?
The colors of leaves change as temperatures drop.
p.32
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What replaces the warm air rising over the tropics?
Cooled, heavier air flowing from the poles.
p.22
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
What characterizes winter in relation to Earth's tilt?
The hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, leading to freezing temperatures and snow.
p.26
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
What are two examples of changes in seasonality with latitude?
Variations in temperature range and solar radiation.
p.31
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What causes air from the north and south to flow toward the equator?
The low atmospheric pressure at the surface.
p.46
Ocean Currents and Gyres
What does the color enhancement in satellite images of the Gulf Stream indicate?
Surface water temperatures increase from blue to red.
p.24
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
Where does the Sun migrate directly overhead during the year?
From the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) to the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S).
p.33
Coriolis Effect and Wind Patterns
In which direction does the Earth spin on its axis?
From west to east (counterclockwise).
p.26
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
What is the annual temperature range?
The difference in temperature (°C) between the coldest and warmest month of the year.
p.36
Coriolis Effect and Wind Patterns
How does the Coriolis Effect influence wind patterns?
It causes winds to curve to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
p.19
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What does the global map of mean annual temperature represent?
Annually averaged near-surface air temperature from 1961 to 1990.
p.36
Coriolis Effect and Wind Patterns
What factors affect the strength of the Coriolis Effect?
The speed of the moving object and the latitude at which it is moving.
p.45
Ocean Currents and Gyres
Where do ocean waters circulate unimpeded around the globe?
Just north of the Antarctic continent.
p.50
Latent Heat and Humidity
Why does warm air have a greater capacity for water vapor?
Because it has a greater quantity of thermal energy to support evaporation.
p.4
Definition of Climate and Weather
How is climate defined?
As the long-term average pattern of weather, which may be local, regional, or global.
p.41
Ocean Currents and Gyres
What role do prevailing winds play in ocean currents?
They determine major patterns of surface water flow in Earth's oceans.
p.18
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
What happens to the average amount of solar radiation as one moves from the equator to the poles?
There is a decrease in the average amount of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface.
p.34
Coriolis Effect and Wind Patterns
What is the Coriolis effect?
The deflection of air masses and moving objects due to Earth's rotation.
p.48
Latent Heat and Humidity
What is latent heat?
The amount of energy released or absorbed per gram during a change of state.
p.52
Latent Heat and Humidity
What is the dew point temperature?
The temperature at which saturation vapor pressure is achieved (relative humidity is 100 percent).
p.32
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What does sinking air at the poles create?
A high-pressure zone and raises surface air pressure.
p.32
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What is the result of the pressure gradient from the poles to the equator?
Cooled, heavier air flows toward the low-pressure zone at the equator.
p.34
Coriolis Effect and Wind Patterns
Who analyzed the Coriolis effect?
G. C. Coriolis, a 19th-century French mathematician.
Which gases absorb most of the longwave radiation emitted by Earth's surface?
Water vapor and carbon dioxide.
p.23
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
How does Earth's tilt affect the location of the Sun at midday throughout the year?
The location migrates between 23.5° N and 23.5° S latitude.
p.49
Latent Heat and Humidity
What does it mean when air is saturated?
The evaporation rate equals the condensation rate.
p.16
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What is the trend of net surface radiation from the equator toward the poles?
There is a distinct latitudinal gradient of decreasing net surface radiation.
p.42
Ocean Currents and Gyres
How does the Coriolis force affect ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere?
It causes clockwise movement.
p.32
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What happens to air at the equator?
It rises and forces air masses to spread north and south toward the poles.
p.15
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What happens if incoming shortwave radiation exceeds outgoing longwave radiation?
Surface temperature increases.
p.45
Ocean Currents and Gyres
What do eastward-moving currents form when they encounter the western margins of continents?
Cool currents that flow along the coastline toward the equator.
p.22
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
What signifies the onset of spring?
A blanket of green as temperatures rise and days lengthen.
p.49
Latent Heat and Humidity
What is saturation vapor pressure?
The water vapor content of air at saturation.
p.17
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
How does latitude affect solar radiation?
At higher latitudes, solar radiation hits the surface at a steeper angle, spreading sunlight over a larger area.
p.12
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What is net shortwave radiation?
Incoming shortwave radiation minus reflective shortwave radiation.
p.46
Ocean Currents and Gyres
How does the Gulf Stream affect temperatures in Western Europe?
It moderates temperatures.
p.37
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What prevents a direct flow of air from the equator to the poles?
The Coriolis effect and longitudinal compression.
p.49
Latent Heat and Humidity
What is evaporation?
The transformation of water from a liquid to a gaseous state.
p.37
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What are the belts of prevailing winds named for?
The direction they come from.
p.32
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
How would the atmosphere circulate if Earth were stationary?
It would circulate in a predictable pattern without irregular landmasses.
p.49
Latent Heat and Humidity
How does water vapor behave in the air?
It acts as an independent gas that has weight and exerts pressure.
p.4
Definition of Climate and Weather
What factors determine the type of ecosystem in a geographic region?
Temperature, humidity, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions.
p.30
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What are the two types of net radiation regions?
Positive (surplus) and negative (deficit) net radiation.
p.25
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
What is the seasonality like in the equatorial region?
There is little seasonality in net radiation, temperature, or day length.
p.42
Ocean Currents and Gyres
What factors influence ocean current circulation?
Coriolis force and continental landmasses.
p.12
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What happens to some of the energy absorbed by Earth's surface?
It is emitted back into space as terrestrial longwave radiation.
p.26
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
What does the global map of annual temperature range illustrate?
The difference in temperature between the coldest and warmest months across different regions.
p.12
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What determines the amount of energy emitted by Earth's surface?
The temperature of the surface; hotter surfaces emit more radiant energy.
p.37
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
How many cells are created in each hemisphere due to air movement?
Three cells in each hemisphere, totaling six.
p.20
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What is the significance of the Ozone layer?
It protects Earth from harmful UV radiation.
p.6
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
Which types of light waves are part of the solar radiation spectrum?
Ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light waves.
p.17
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
What happens to solar radiation at steep angles in the atmosphere?
It must travel through a deeper layer of air, encountering more particles that reflect more shortwave radiation back into space.
p.48
Latent Heat and Humidity
What happens to energy when matter changes state?
Energy is either absorbed or released.
p.51
Latent Heat and Humidity
What is absolute humidity?
The amount of water in a given volume of air.
p.22
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
How does the tilt of the Earth affect seasonal changes?
It leads to variations in solar radiation received, causing changes in temperature and landscape.
p.53
Latent Heat and Humidity
What is the dew point?
The temperature at which saturation vapor pressure occurs for a given VP.
p.25
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
What happens to day length at the Arctic and Antarctic circles throughout the year?
Day length varies from 0 to 24 hours.
p.6
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
What type of energy does solar radiation represent?
Electromagnetic energy emanating from the Sun.
p.8
Albedo and Its Effects on Climate
How is albedo expressed?
As a proportion (0 – 1.0) of the shortwave radiation that is reflected.
p.6
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
What happens to solar radiation as it travels through space?
It travels more or less unimpeded until it reaches Earth’s atmosphere.
What is the effect of absorbed longwave radiation in the atmosphere?
It is emitted downward toward the surface, keeping near-surface temperatures warmer.
p.31
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
What is the convergence of winds from the north and south at the equator called?
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
p.6
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
What does frequency (v) refer to in the context of radiation?
The number of waves that pass a point in one second.
p.45
Ocean Currents and Gyres
What happens to warm surface waters when they encounter the eastern margins of continents?
They split into north- and south-flowing currents along the coasts, forming north and south gyres.
p.46
Ocean Currents and Gyres
Where does the Gulf Stream carry warm waters?
Along the east coast of North America and into the North Atlantic.
p.14
Net Radiation and Temperature Variations
What defines net radiation?
The difference between incoming shortwave (solar) radiation and outgoing longwave (terrestrial) radiation.
p.34
Coriolis Effect and Wind Patterns
In which direction are air masses deflected in the Northern Hemisphere?
To the right (clockwise motion).
p.23
Seasonality and Earth's Tilt
What causes the diurnal cycle of day and night on Earth?
Earth's rotation about an axis that passes through the North and South Poles.
p.51
Latent Heat and Humidity
What happens to relative humidity if air cools while moisture content remains constant?
Relative humidity increases as saturation vapor pressure declines.
p.7
Solar Radiation and Surface Temperatures
How does the temperature of an object affect the emitted photons?
The hotter the object, the more energetic the emitted photons and the shorter the wavelength.
p.49
Latent Heat and Humidity
What is vapor pressure?
The pressure that water vapor exerts independent of the pressure of dry air, defined in pascals (Pa).
