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71 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
Weather
~Weather refers to specific atmosphere conditions at a given location.
~Ex. Temperature, air pressure, cloud cover, humdity and precipitation.
Climate
~ Climate is the average weather that occurs in an area over a period of time.
~ Ex. Annual averages.
~ Climate change can be determined by ancedotal and scientific evidence.
Ancedotal Evidence
~ Reports, interpretation from people about events that occur.
Scientific Evidence
~ Data collected by scientists, interpretation of data to look at general trends not invidiual events.
The Biosphere
~ The biosphere is a thin layer that surround the Earth and supports life.
~ It is composed of three layers: The Atmosphere, Lithosphere and the Hydrosphere.
The Atmosphere
~ All of the gases surrounding the Earth
~ 500 km thick
~ Composed of 78% nitrogen (needed for plant growth) and 21% oxygen (needed by organisims)
~ Contains atmoshperic dust
~Allows rays to penetrate out but filters out the most lethal radiation
~ Absourbs 20% of the sun's energy
Atmosphere: Thermosphere
~Average temp. -100 C to 1500 C
~ 90 km thick
~ Very little gas
~ Northern lights
Atmosphere: Mesophere
~ Average temp. 0 C to -100 C
~ 50 -90 km
~ Very little gas
Atmospheric layers
Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere.
Atmosphere: Stratosphere
~ Average temp. -60 C to 0 C
~10-50 km
~ Very little life
~ Ozone layer: to absourb UV raditation
Atmosphere: Troposphere
~ Average temp. 15 C to -60 C
~ 0- 10 km
~80% of gases
~ Supports most life
~ Weather occurs in this layer
The Ozone Layer
~ The ozone is an inorganic molecule (O3g) found in the stratosphere
~ It absourbs UV radiation from the sun
~ The ozone hole is a region in the ozone that has thinned
~ "Holes" have been identified over Antartica and the Canadian Artic
~ Increased UV radiation can cause crop damage, cataracts and skin cancer
Ozone Reaction
O3 + UV Radiation ---> O2 + O
Reasons for Ozone Depletion
1. Reaction of O3 with chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) which are a man-made chemical used as propellants in aerosol cans and coolants in air conditoners and refreigoratiors.
2. Natural Cycles in the atmosphere.
Lithosphere
~ All land on Earth from surface to 100 km below
~ Runs under the continents and oceans
~ Warmed by the sun and by the molten material in the Earth's mantle
Hydrosphere
~ All water on Earth
~ Covers approx. 70% of the Earth's surface
~ 97% is salt water
~ 3% is fresh water, mainly locked in glaciers, lakes and streams
~ Includes water vapour in the atmosphere
The Hydrologic Cycle
~ Called the water cycle
~ The amount of water on Earth remains constant as it cycles
~ It evaporates from bodies of water
~ It is also released by plants during transpiration and plants and animals during cellular respiration
~ As it rises in the atmosphere, the water vapour cools and condenses
~ It then falls to the ground as precipitation
~ Returns to lakes and oceans through run off or ground water
~ Each change of state of water involves energy
~ The movement of thermal energy helps keep the average temperature of Earth relatively stable.
Flow of Energy in the Biosphere
~ The biosphere is maintained by energy that originates at the sun
~ Net radiation budget is the difference between incoming and outgoing radiation in the biosphere
~Changes in the balance cause global temperatures to fluctuate
~Insolation is the amount of solar energy recieved by a region (cloud cover will decrease this)
~ It depends on latitude and the characteristics of the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere
Flow of Energy In the Biosphere (Incidences)
~ The sun does not heat the Earth evenly
~ The angle of incidence is the angle between a ray falling on a surface and a line perpendicular to that surface
~ Angle of incidence at the equator: 0
~ As you move towards the poles, the angle of incidence increases
~The larger the angle of incidence, the more spread out sun rays are
Flow of Energy In the Biosphere (Earth's Axis)
~ Earth's axis is tilted at 23.5 degrees ( various over time)
~ In winter you are tilted away from the sun and in the summer you are tilted towards it
~ The equator always recieves the same amount of solar radiation
~Solstices are the shortest and longest days of the year (June 21, December 21)
~ Equnioxes are when night and day are the same length (Spring: March 21 and Autumn: September 21)
Solar Energy Reflection
~ Albedo refers the the degree at which materials reflect solar radiation.
~ the lighter the color, the higher the albedo and the greater the reflection, the lower amount of energy available
~ Snow and Ice in winter contribute to low temps due to high albedo
~Albedo is represented by a decimal/ percent
~ High: snow, ice, water,clouds
~Low: soil, dark rocks, forests
Solar Energy Absorpution
~ Absourbed by non living components and will eventually be re-radiated back
~ Also absourbed by chlorophyll containing organisms through photosynthesis.
~ Then is rereleased back into the biosphere through cellular respiration.
Photosynthesis
6 CO2 + 6 H20 + Solar Energy ----> C6 H12 O6 + 6 02
Cellular Respiration
C6 H12 06 + 6 O2 ----> 6 CO2 + 6 H20
Thermal Energy Transfer
~ This transfer happens when energy moves from an area of high temperature to low temperature
~ There are three types of this transfer: Radiation, Conduction and Convection
~ As energy is transferable, the air at the equators is warmer than at the poles which creates convection currents as warm air rises above the equator and the cools and sinks at the poles.
~ Wind is the movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure
~ Warm air exerts less pressure than cooler air
Thermal Energy Transfer: Radiation
~ Travels as waves or particles
~ Energy is absourbed by particles which increase their temperature
Thermal Energy Transfer: Conduction
~ Transfer by direct contact, usually in solids
~ Faster moving particles transfer energy to slower moving particles
Thermal Energy Transfer: Convection
~ Transfer by movement of particles from one place to another, usually in fluids
~ Movement creates a convection current
~ Less dense particles rise and more dense ones sink
The Coriolis Effect
~ Earth spins toward the east
~ This rotation causes everything to travel at very fast speeds, however different points on the Earth travel at different speeds (Equator: fastest & Poles: slowest)
~ Ei) Equator: 1620 km/h
Fort Mcmurray: 975 km/h
Poles: 0 km/h
(1620 km/h x cosine of latitude)
~ This spinning causes a deflection in the motion of the winds called the coriolis effect
~ Air moving from the equator to the poles is deflected to the East
~ Air moving from the poles to the equator is deflected West
Global Winds
~ Their patterns are caused by: Convection Currents & Coriolis Effect
~ Winds transfer heat energy from areas where the net radiation budget is high to regions where it is low
~ At the equator, warm air rises and the Coriolis Effect deflects the air by blowing it southeast and north east... called the trade winds
~ Further north and south of the equator, cool air rushes west... called the westerlies
~ At the poles, cold air sinks and is deflected east ... called the polar easterlies
~ Around the equator are the doldrums
~ At 30 N and S called the Horse Latitudes (most deserts)
~ At 60 N and S is the Polar Front (lots of storms)
~ The jet streams are bands of fast moving air in the stratosphere that affect weather systems
Energy Transfer in the Hydrosphere
~ Water in the oceans is moved by the Global Winds
~ The Trade Winds and Westernlies move warm water between the equator and the poles
~ The Polar easterlies move cold water between the poles and lower latitudes.
~ Land masses cause currents to change directions
Water
~Covers 70% of Earth's surfaces
~ Humans are made up of about 70%
~ Most abundant substance on Earth
~ Has many anomalous (unique) properties
High Surface Tension: Water
~ Surface tension is the tendency for the molecules of a substance to be pulled from the surface are to the interior
~ Water has a high cohesive and adhesive forces of attraction, which gives it a high surface tension
~ Organisms can use this to their advantage, Ei) water striders
More Than One State: Water
~ Water is one of the only substances that can exist in all three states (phases) got our regular temperature range.
~ Each change of state involves an exchange of energy with its surroundings
~ Endothermic Changes of state: melting, evaporation, sublimation (Solid to Gas)
~ Exothermic Changes of state: freezing, condensation, sublimation (Gas to solid)
High Melting and Boiling Points: Water
~ There is a large range between melting (freezing) point at 0 and boiling point at 100
~ Large difference allows for a wide range of temperatures on Earth without dramatic changes
Density: Water
~ water is unique in that it is less dense and floats as a solid
~ it is most dense at 4
~ Which is good for aquatic life
High Specific Heat Capacity: Water
~ The 2nd law of thermodynamics says that the heat always moves from a matter at a higher temperature to matter at a low temperature
~ Specific heat capacity is the amount of energy required to change the temperature of a specific mass of a substance at 1
~ Water has a high specific heat capacity
~ It helps humans maintain a constant body temperature
~ Also moderates global climate
~ Cities at the same latitudes have different climates depending on their proximity to a large body of water, and warm vs. cold ocean currents
High Specific Heat Formula
Q=mct
Q= heat energy in Joules
m= mass in grams
c= change in temperature C
T= Specific heat capacity J/g C
Unique Heat of Fusion: Water
~ Heat of Fusion is the amount of heat energy required to convert one mole of solid to its liquid state (melting) with no change of temperature (or energy released when freezing)
Unique Heat of Fusion Formulas
Q=nHfus or Hfus= Q/n
Hfus= Heat of Fusion in J/mol or KJ/ mol
Q= Heat Energy in J or Kj
n= Number of moles in mol
Unique Heat of Vaporization
~ Heat of vaporization is the amount of heat energy required to convert one mole of a liquid into it's vapour form (vaporization) with no change in temperature (or heat release during condensation)
Unique Heat of Vaporization
Q=nHvap or Hvap= Q/n
Hvap= Heat of Fusion in J/mol or KJ/ mol
Q= Heat Energy in J or Kj
n= Number of moles in mol
Heating Curves
~ Heating curves are used to show how the phases and the temperature of a substance change over time
~ During a temperature change, the moles move faster and faster
~ Use Q=mct for a temp. change
~ During a phase change all heat energy added goes into breaking the forces of attraction between molecules, no temperature change
~ Use Q=nHvap or Q=nHfus for a phase change
How to find moles?
Mass/ Molar Mass
Biomes
~A biome is a large geographical area with a particular range of temperature and precipitation levels
~ Biomes are open systems that exchange both matter and energy with their surroundings
~ Earth's biomes consist of the tundra, taiga (boreal), decidous forest, rain forest, desert, grasslands (prairie and savanna)
Canada's Biomes
~ Tundra, Taiga (Boreal Forests), Grasslands, Decidous Forest
Climographs: Analyzing Energy Flow
~ a climatograph is a summary of the for each month of the year for a given location
~the vertical axis on the left shows the average precipitation (start at zero)
~the vertical axis on the right shows average temperature (start at minimum temp.)
~ average precipitation is plotted as a bar graph and average temperature are plotted as a line graph
Climate Change
~ Earth is warm due to the natural greenhouse effect where water vapuor in the atmodphere absorb some of the thermal energy radiated by the Earth’s surface
~ The four main greenhouse gases generated by human activity are carbon dioxide, methane, dinitrogen monoxide and water vapour
~ The most common greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide and has a Global Warming Potential rating of 1
~ Data about climate change can be collected through core samples of ice and atmospheric data
~ The enhanced greenhouse effect is the change in Earth'snet radiation budget caused by the increase in human generated greenhouse gases
Carbon Source
~ Any process that releases CO2 from the atmosphere
~ ex) combustion, respiration
Carbon Sink
~ Any process that removes CO2 from the atmosphere
~ ex) photosynthesis, dissolving in oceans
Signs Of Climate Change
1. Rising Sea Levels
2. Retreat Of Glaciers
3. Freuquency Of Severe Storms
4. Earlier Flowering Of Flowering Plants
5. Decline Of Fish Stocks As Ocean Temperature Rises
Intergovernmental Panel Of Climate Change (IPCC)
~ The IPCC consists of a group of scientists brought together by the WMO to assess climate change
The World Meteorical Organization (WMO)
~ Works to bring scientists together to assess climate change issues
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
~ Works to bring scientits together to assess climate change issues
General Circulation Model (GCM)
~ Computer model that reflects the observed climate of data of most climates. They incorporate the Laws of physics.
Montreal Protocol
~ It is an international agreement that aims to phase out the production and use of CFCs. It was signed in 1987 by 182 nations, making it the first international agreement about the atmosphere.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
~ It is an agreement that aims to stabliize greenhouse gas emissions
Kyoto Protocol
~ An international agreement to reduce the production of greenhouse gases
Emission-Reduction Credits (ERC)
~ Emission-reduction credits were a feature of this agreement which are given to countries for actions that contribute to the global reduction of greenhouse gases.
Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change
~ climate change affect the biomes of the world
~The tundra biome experiences the greatest impact of global warming as ice and snow coverage would shrink which would decrease the albedo of the surface of the Earth
~more energy would be absourbed and cause permafost thawing
~ Also contribute to drought, warm temperatures, increase insect population, increase risk of forest fires due to dry conditions, air pollution, disease
Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change: Transportation
~ Develop fuel efficent vehicles
~ Use fuels that produce less carbon dioxide
~ develop technologies to reduce or eliminate emissions
~ encourage efficiencies
~ encourage the use of public transit
Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change: Energy
~ Find and create suitable carbon dioxide captures
~ Improve oil and gas efficiencies
~ Support the development of renewable energy
~ educate on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change: Buildings
~ encourage buisnesses to make renovations that use efficent heating and cooling systems
~promote energy efficeint home construction
~ improve energy efficent standards
Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change: Agriculture or Forest
~ Promote the best practices of fertilizer applications
~ Promote tree planting
Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change: Industry
~ Conduct energy efficiency audits to identify areas of improvement
~ support the use of renewable energy technologies
Tundra
~ Is in artic regions
~ It is cold and dry
~ It is covered by ice and snow for most of the year
~ Plants are small and flower quickly
~ Animals have large amounts of blubber or thick fur
Taiga (Boreal)
~ It is located south of the tundra
~ It has long winters and moderatly wet summers
~ It contains mostly conifers
~ Needles are covered in resin to prevent freezing
~ Large animals (moose, bear, lynx, fox, wolves)
Decidous Forest
~ Moderate climates and more precipitation
~ Plants consists of lichens, ferns, and mosses
~ It has trees that loose their leaves in the winter (decidous)
~ It has small animals (Squirrels, weasals and Foxes)
Grassland
~ Are dry regions
~ Grasses have extensive root systems to obtain as much water as possible
~ Animals such as rodents and graziers
~ Examples:
- Prairie- North America; warm summers, cold winters, animals like buffalo, deer, elk, antelope
- Savanna- Africa, Central America, Australia: wet and dry seasons, animals like elephants, zebras, rhinos
Rainforest
~ Has the greatest diversity of organisms
~ Lots of rain
~ Broad leafedplants and vines
~ Brightly colored birds and reptiles
~ Animals such as gorillas and chimpanzees
Desert
~ Very little precipitation
~ Hot days & Cold nights
~ Lots of arachnids
- Scorpions
~ Plants store water and have small leaves
~ Animals have adaptations to store water and cool