Download Unit 6: Climate Change and Weather Review

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Unit 6: Climate Change and Weather Review
1.
What 2 gases make up the bulk of Earth’s atmosphere? What percent of the atmosphere is
each?
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2.
Is there a true end to the Earth’s atmosphere? Explain.
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3.
The bottom layer is the troposphere (0-11 km up, decreasing temp.) contains
almost all the air and weather and has decreasing, the Stratosphere (11-50 km
up, increasing temp.) contains the ozone layer, the mesosphere (50-80 km up,
deceasing temp.) is where meteors burn up, and the thermosphere (80 km-space,
increasing temp.) is where auroras occur.
What is the difference between weather and climate?
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5.
Earth’s atmosphere does not have an upper boundary. It just dissipates until
space.
Name each layer of the atmosphere with its approximate height from Earth’s surface,
temperature trend from top to bottom, and notable features/events.
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4.
Nitrogen (N2, 78 %) and oxygen (O2, 21 %) make up the bulk of Earth’s
atmosphere.
Weather is the current conditions of the troposphere, while climate is the longterm average of conditions in a region.
Describe the methods of heat transfer and how they heat the atmosphere:
a. Radiation

Transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves. The sun radiates
energy to earth.
b. Conduction

Transfer of energy from objects directly in contact. The air in contact
with Earth’s surface is heated through conduction.
c. Convection
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6.
Compare and contrast high and low air pressure systems.
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7.
Transfer of energy from the flow of heated objects. Air heated from
conduction transfers energy when it rises up in the atmosphere.
In high pressure systems, air does not rise up, wind blows out from the center,
and the weather is pleasant. In low pressure, air rises and condenses, leading to
condensation, and the winds blow into the center.
What is an air mass? What happens when different air masses come together?

An air mass is a large body of air with the same conditions of temp, pressure,
etc. Air masses meet at fronts.
8.
Name each front below and describe the weather associated with it. Label where the cold
and warm air is located for each:
Cold
Cold
Warm
Warm
a.
Cold front – short, heavy precipitation
9.
b.
Warm front –light precipitation
Describe the following fronts. Include a drawing of its symbol.
a. Occluded front
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Cold front overtakes warm front. Rain on both
sides.
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Nonmoving front. Can become a warm/cold
front if winds change.
b. Stationary front
10.
In terms of pressure, what direction does wind always blow? How do you name a wind
for its direction?
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11.
What is particulate matter?

12.
Acid rain is caused by secondary pollutants that lower pH (Ex: nitric and
sulfuric acid). Acid rain lowers the pH of soil/streams and damages buildings.
Why has the ozone layer been depleted? Why is the ozone layer important?
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15.
A primary pollutant is released directly into the atmosphere and causes harm.
Secondary pollutants react with light, heat, or other substances to create
polluting substances.
What are the causes and effects of acid rain?

14.
Particulate matter is tiny particles such as smoke and soot that irritate the
respiratory systems of organisms.
Compare and contrast primary and secondary pollutants.

13.
Wind always blows from high to low pressure. Wind is always named for the
direction it blows from (Ex: South -> North is Southerly).
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have broken up ozone in the stratosphere. The
ozone layer protects the surface from harmful UV rays from the sun, which can
cause sunburns and skin cancer in humans.
What type of UV radiation is most harmful to humans? Why are the others of less
concern?

UV-B is most dangerous to humans. Almost all UV-C is readily absorbed by the
stratosphere and UV-A is not absorbed but much less dangerous than UV-B.
16.
What is the greenhouse effect? How is it both beneficial and harmful to the environment?
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17.
18.
19.
The greenhouse effect is the trapping and radiating of reflected energy from the
Earth’s surface by certain gases. Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be
too cold for life, but with too high an effect, the planet warms an unsustainable
amount.
Describe the indicators of global warming. Explain why there are notable.
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Global temperatures have risen 0.74 °C in the last century, far more than
normal.
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CO2 emissions have increased to unprecedented concentration in the
atmosphere. CO2 is a major greenhouse gas.
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Ice sheets are losing 30+ miles every year.

Sea level has risen 17 cm in the last century, and double the already high rate in
the last decade.
What are some possible effects of global climate change?
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Sea level will continue to rise, causing flooding near coasts.
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The ocean will become more acidic and lose O2 concentration.
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Organisms will migrate to cooler climates at new latitudes possible becoming
invasive.
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Storms will become more severe, as will drought, and heat waves.
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Some places will become more arid, while others will have increased
precipitation.
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Some plants may thrive with additional CO2 in the atmosphere, but many will be
harmed by floods, drought, and pests.
Describe some possible means to stop/slow global climate change.
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Eliminating greenhouse gases will slow the effects.
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Reforestation could lead to decreased CO2 in the atmosphere.
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Energy efficient products will decrease emissions.
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Individuals can practice energy conservation techniques.