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32 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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The Role of the Sun (What does it do?) |
Most of Earth's energy comes from the sun in the form of electromagnetic waves. - Allows plants to perform photosynthesis - Responsible for our weather and climate zones - Warms the Earth |
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Weather |
Weather describes our day-to-day atmospheric conditions. -Temperature -Humidity -Precipitation -Wind -Pressure *Check* -Cloud over |
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Climate |
Climate describes the average temperature patterns in a region over a long period of time. |
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Climate Zones |
Climate zones share similar patterns in temperature, precipitation, and vegetation. Example - Tropical Wet - Tundra - Mediterranean sdf |
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What Affects Climate Zones (LOWERN) |
- Latitude - Presence of Large Bodies of Water - Presence of Ocean or Air Currents - Land formations (such as mountains) - Altitude (ie. the height above sea level) Latitude Ocean currents Wind Elevation (altitude) Relief (land formations: mountains) Nearness to Water |
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What Affects Climate Zones Latitude |
Latitude = distance north / south of the equator - This is because the Sun's rays are more direct and passes through less atmosphere closest to the equator. |
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What Affects Climate Zones Presence of large bodies of water |
This is because large bodies of water heat up slowly and cool down slowly. |
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What Affects Climate Zones Presence of ocean or air currents |
Regular currents exist due to difference in density as a result of temperature or composition (ie. salt content) |
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What Affects Climate Zones Land formations (such as mountains) |
- Due to their height there is typically a wet side and a dry side to mountainous regions. |
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What Affects Climate Zones Altitude (ie. the height above sea level) |
- Differences in atmospheric conditions at higher altitudes affect what vegetation may be able to be sustained. |
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Earth's Energy Balance When the Sun's radiation reaches matter at the Earth, one of three things may happen: |
1. Energy may be absorbed 2. Energy may be transmitted (ie. pass through the material) 3. Energy may be reflected |
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Earth's Energy Balance What REFLECTS Incoming Energy |
- Atmosphere (6%) - Clouds (20%) - Earth's Surface (4%) |
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Earth's Energy Balance What TRANSMITS Incoming Energy |
- Atmosphere - Clouds |
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Earth's Energy Balance What ABSORBS Incoming Energy |
- Atmosphere and clouds (19%) - Land and oceans (51%) |
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The Greenhouse Effect |
Earth's atmosphere, clouds, and surface absorb much of the higher-energy radiation from the Sun. After warming the Earth this radiation is emitted as lower-energy infrared radiation. Gases in Earth's atmosphere trap much of this radiation so that it can be distributed more evenly across the planet. This is called the greenhouse effect. |
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Greenhouse Gases |
Water Vapour (H2O) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Methane (CH4) Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) |
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Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Natural & Anthropogenic Sources |
Natural Sources - Volcanic eruptions - Burning of organic matter - Cellular respiration of plants and animals (plants produce carbon dioxide at night*) Anthropogenic Sources - Burning of fossil fuels - Deforestation |
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Methane (CH4) Natural & Anthropogenic Sources |
Natural Sources - Plant decomposition - Animal digestion (cow fart) Anthropogenic Sources - Agricultural activities (rice farming / cattle ranching) - Decay of organic material in landfills / sewage treatment - Coal mining and natural gas extraction - Deforestation (stumps and debris: decomposition of waste products) |
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Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Natural & Anthropogenic Sources |
Natural Sources -Reactions of bacteria in soil and water Anthropogenic Sources -Livestock feed / waste -Fertilizers (nitrogen-based) |
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Ozone (O3) Natural & Anthropogenic Sources *Naturally, ozone is not a greenhouse gas: it's a good thing in the upper atmosphere. |
Natural Sources - Exists in the upper atmosphere (stratosphere) and protects us from harmful high energy radiation Anthropogenic Sources - Now exists in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) due to the interaction of UV radiation and exhaust from vehicles. |
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Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Natural & Anthropogenic Sources |
Natural Sources N/A Anthropogenic Sources - Refrigerators / Air Conditioners - Aerosols - Foams - Solvents - Industrial processes |
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Water Vapour (H2O) Sources |
- Oceans - Large bodies of water - More warm air = more water vapour |
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Past Climate Change |
Earth's climate goes through a variety of natural changes, both long-term and short-term. * There have been variations in average temperature but they occur over large time periods |
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The Result of Increasing Greenhouse Gases |
Human activites are increasing greenhouse gas levels leading to an enhanced greenhouse effect. The result is global warming and unprecedented rates of climate change. * More re-emitted heat because less heat is escaping into space* |
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Present Climate Change and How It's Different |
Scientists have recognized that Earth's climate is changing at a very dramatic rate and suspect that we are the problem. |
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Dramatically Rising Temperatures |
Back in the day, an increase of 1 degree took around 5 - 10 thousand years - Now, in Canada, the average temperature has increased by 1 degree celsius in the last 55 years. |
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Global Temperature and Carbon Dioxide |
There is a direct correlation between global temperature and carbon dioxide concentration. |
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Melting Glaciers, Ice Sheets, and Sea Ice |
A dramatic reduction in Earth's ice can be seen. This reduces how effective the Earth is at reflecting the Sun's incoming energy (called the "Albedo") Highest albedo = most reflective (ice, snow) - Affects wildlife, clean water supply, salt concentration of bodies of water and ocean currents |
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Rising Sea Levels |
The sea level has been rising very quickly resulting in reduced shorlines and an increased rate of floods. - Ice is melting - Oceans are warming (sea water is expanding) *less land space |
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Weather and Climate |
Heat waves and hurricanes are becoming more frequent and more intense. (hurricanes are larger than tornados and over large bodies of water) Climates are changing as we receive more rain and less snow. Seasons are changing as we receive less snow in the winter and longer growing seasons. |
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Ecosystems |
Animals are breeding earlier and many plants are flowering earlier. Some animals have had to relocate to more desirable climates and many are becoming endangered or going extinct. |
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Pangea and Climate |
Pangea affected our general climate on Earth: closer together. |
