Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Atmosphere notes Earth’s Atmosphere- The atmosphere is made up of gases- 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 1% other trace gases including Carbon Dioxide - The atmosphere protects us from Sun’s harmful rays and helps to maintain a regulated temperature - The atmosphere is made up of different layerso Troposphere- layer in which we reside, this layer contains about 99% of the water vapor in the atmosphere and 75% of the gases; also where clouds and weather occur o Stratosphere - this layer contains the Ozone layer (which deflects much of the UV rays from the Sun o Mesosphere – this is the third layer from Earth o Thermosphere – this layer burns up matter that comes toward Earth (meteors); also the thickest layer o Exosphere – last layer; very thin air; boundary to space Atmospheric Pressure- Pressure is the highest closest to Earth; the higher the elevation the lower the pressure becomes Energy Transfer- Energy from the Sun is transferred to Earth by radiation. Radiation is energy transferred in the form of rays or waves. Upon getting this radiation, the heat is then moved in the atmosphere by conduction and convection. Conduction- energy that is transferred by the bumping of molecules together Convection- transfer of energy by flow of material All three of these are needed to keep the atmosphere heated. Air Movement- The uneven heating of Earth’s surface creates different temperature air. When the warmer and cooler air mix, wind is formed. Coriolis effect- this causes air and water to turn toward the Equator due to Earth’s rotation. Jet Stream- narrow belt of strong winds that blows near the top of the troposphere- stronger in the winter due to greater difference in temperature- moves from west to east Weather- state of the atmosphere at a specific place and time; factors that determine weather are: air pressure, humidity, temperature and wind Humidity vs. Relative humidityHumidity is the amount of water vapor in the air Relative humidity is the measure of the amount of water vapor in the air that a certain temperature can hold- ranges from 0 to 100 (given in percents) Clouds are formed as warm air moves upward, expands, and cools. Made up of water vapor, dust and salt. Clouds are classified by their shape and height. Weather patterns Air masses- large body of air that has properties similar to the part of Earth that it is over- there are 6 masses that help to form our weather in the U.S. Low pressure systems- called cyclones and are associated with stormy weather High pressure systems- called anti-cyclones and are associated with fair weather Fronts- the boundary between two air masses of different properties. All fronts bring some form of precipitation. There are four frontsCold front- blue line with triangles, occurs when colder air moves toward warm air- this lifts the warm air, cools and condenses to form clouds- if there is a large temperature difference then a thunderstorm will occur Warm front- red lines with semicircles, form when lighter, warmer air advances over heavier, colder air. Stationary front- shown as alternating red and blue lines with both semicircles and triangles, occurs when two air masses meet up and stop advancing. Will last for many days and can produce light precipitation Occluded front – shown by a purple line with semicircles and triangles, occurs when three air masses meet up (cold, cool, and warm), the warm air is forced upward Severe weather Thunderstorms- occurs in warm, moist air masses and along fronts; produce a cumulonimbus cloud Tornado- violent, whirling windstorm that crosses land in a narrow path and can result from wind shears inside a thunderhead Hurricane- large, severe storm that forms over tropical oceans, has winds of at least 120 km/h, and loses power when it reaches land Watch- means that conditions are right or favorable for severe weather Warning- means that severe weather conditions exist and you should take cover right away Remember to look over the symbols to make sure you understand them. Page 163 in the book can help as well. Climate – pattern of weather that occurs in an area over many years; determines what plants and animals can survive and the way we live Factors that determine climate: latitude, large bodies of water, ocean currents, mountains (rainshadow effect), and cities Climatic changes Seasonal changes- the position and tilt of the Earth to the Sun creates different seasons High latitudes- determine the amount of radiation from the sun that parts of Earth receive affecting the climate of the area El Nino- climatic event that begins in the tropical Pacific Ocean; ocean temperatures increase; may occur when trade winds weaken or reverse, can disrupt normal temperature and precipitation patterns around the world La Nina- opposite of El Nino; stronger winds, instead of weaker ones Climate change- term used by scientists to describe changes to the Earth’s weather and climate as a result of different factors. These factors could be natural or human basedGreenhouse gases- gases in the atmosphere that trap heat energy and support life on Earth Greenhouse effect- process by whish heat is trapped in the atmosphere by gases that hold the sun’s heat. Heat is trapped in the atmosphere by gases that form a blanket arounf the Earth. Many of the climatic changes that occur are of a natural cycle that Earth is going through. Scientists take samples from glaciers to determine the trends. Humans are creating an impact on the cycle. Increased carbon dioxide and deforestation are helping to change the climate in other ways.