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APES The Atmosphere Flashcards

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9706125122composition of the atmosphere78% nitrogen (N2) 21% Oxygen (O2) 0-4% Water vapor (H2O) <<1% Carbon dioxide (CO2) <<<1% methane (CH4) <<<1% nitrous oxide (N2O) <<<1% ozone (O3)0
9706152030Nitrogen (N2)- 78% of atmosphere - needed for life - deposits on earth through nitrogen fixation - returns to atmosphere through combustion of biomass and denitrification1
9706163959Oxygen (O2)- 21% of atmosphere - produced through photosynthesis - used in cellular respiration2
9706172073Water Vapor (H2O)- 0-4% of the atmosphere - largest amts near equator, over oceans, in tropics - low amts in polar areas, deserts3
9706183418Carbon dioxide (CO2)- <<1% of the atmosphere - Has increased by 1/4 in the past 300 years cause of fossil fuels, deforestation - produced during respiration, decay of organic matter - used in photosynthesis - major greenhouse has - is in the atmosphere for ~ 100 yrs :/4
9706202394Methane (CH4)- <<<1% of the atmosphere - contributes to greenhouse effect - increased about 150% in the last 250 yrs b/c of coal mining, fossil fuels, grazing animals, and flooding of rice fields - 1 molecule stays in atmosphere for ~10 yrs5
9706206517Nitrous Oxide (N2O)- <<<1% of the atmosphere - inc about 0.3%/yr - from fossil fuels, fertilizers, burning biomass, deforestation, conversion to agricultural land - contributes to greenhouse effect - most important substance reducing stratospheric ozone; just as bad as CFCs6
9706284382Ozone (O3)- <<<1% of atmosphere - 97% in stratosphere in the ozone layer - absorbs UV radiation - produced when photochemical smog is produced - hole over Antarctica - CFCs are primary cause of breakdown7
9706664523layers of the atmosphereionosphere mesosphere stratosphere (ozone layer) troposphere8
9706677845troposphere- 0-7 mi above earth - 3/4 of Earth's atmosphere's mass - temp dec w altitude - weather - hurtful ozone9
9706700476stratosphere- 31 ish miles above - temp inc with altitude bc the ozone absorbs UV - contains ozone layer - ozone produced by UV radiation, lightning - helpful ozone, protective10
9706722307mesosphere- 56 mi above - temp dec w altitude - coldest layer - ice clouds - meteors burn up here11
9706729734thermosphere/ionosphere- 217 mi above - temp inc with altitude b/c of gamma rays, x rays, UV radiation - northern lights (d/t molecules being converted into ions)12
9706753161changes in temp in the atmosphere13
9706763821weather is caused by- transfer of energy d/t the unequal heating of the Earth's surface by the sun - energy transferred whenever there is a temp difference - energy transferred through radiation, conduction, convection14
9706840455radiation- the flow of electromagnetic radiation - method by which Earth receives solar energy15
9747448310conduction- involves the transfer of heat through solid substances and results from a difference in temperature between different parts of the substance16
9747455347factors influencing climate- air mass - air pressure - albedo - altitude - angle of sunlight - clouds - distance to oceans - fronts - heat - human activity - humidity / moisture content of air - land changes - latitude - location - mountain ranges - pollution - rotation - wind patterns - your mom17
9747468797convection- primary way energy is transferred from hotter to colder regions in atmosphere - determines weather patterns - involves the movement of the warmer, more energetic molecules in air - both vertical and horizontal convenction - ground air becomes warm, which means it's also less dense, so it rises; pressure differences develop because of the temp difference --> creates convection18
9747484108regions near the equator receive (more, less, =) solar energy than the poles; therefore they are (hotter, colder, the same temp)more; hotter19
9747487578global convectionbecause poles are colder & have less solar energy than the equator = latitudinal differences in surface temp = global convection = major weather patters - without convection the equator would be 27 def F warmer and the Arctic would be 45 def F colder20
9747497517air mass- a large body of air with similar temp and moisture content - can be equatorial, tropical, polar, arctic, continental, or maritime21
9747503225air pressure- 99% of mass of atmosphere is within 20 miles of Earth's surface - gravity on air mass results in air pressure - measured in millibars, inches of mercury, or hectopascals (hPa) - decreases with altitude - LOW pressure = CLOUDY and STORMY - HIGH pressure = SUNNY; cool, dense air that descends and warms22
9747516293albedo- reflectivity - ocean water = low albedo - land masses = moderate albedo - snow, ice = high albedo - dust in atmosphere from dry climate periods, volcanic eruptions, meteor impacts = high albedo - forms veil around Earth and reflects solar radiation23
9747529841altitude- for every 1000 ft, there is a 3 deg F drop in temp - for every 300 ft its equivalent to shifting 62 miles N in latitudej24
9747536399angle of sunlight- areas closest to equator receive the most sunlight, have higher temperatures25
9747542748carbon cycle- consumption of carbon in the form of CO2 results in cooling (consumption via carbonate rock weathering and silicate rock weathering): PRODUCT is carbon dioxide (left side of formula) and COOLS - production of carbon in the form of CO2 results in warming (production via carbonate formation in the oceans and metamorphic breakdown of carbonate): YIELDS carbon dioxide (right side of formula) and WARMS26
9748251765clouds- water droplets or ice crystals in atmosphere - warm air rises, it expands d/t decreasing air pressure --> drops in temp t/f cannot hold much water vapor --> vapor condenses forming tiny water particles or ice crystal - high level clouds (prefix cirr-) mostly ice crystals - mid level clouds (prefix alto-) and low level clouds (prefix strat-) mostly water droplets, some ice or snow27
9748269467distance to oceans- oceans more thermally stable because they have a high specific heat28
9748271271fronts- front = boundary between two different air masses - fronts vary in temp, dew point, wind direction29
9748288958warm front- boundary between advancing warm air mass and the cooler one it is replacing - warm air is less dense t/f rises and cools, releases the moisture it has as rain30
9748313850cold front- leading edge of an advancing mass of cold air - thunderhead clouds, high surface winds, thunderstorms - after it passes the weather is usually cool with clear skies31
9748322047greenhouse effect- most impt greenhouse gasses: water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O)32
9748329125heat (convection)- influences climate by how heat energy is exchanged between air over the oceans and the air over land33
9748332035land changes- urbanization, deforestation influences climate34
9748338444landmass distribution- ocean water absorbs a lot of solar radiation; land reflects a lot more - low latitudes (equator) get a lot more radiation than near the poles - so a planet with land clustered at low lats would be cooler than a planet with only land at poles35
9748358570moisture content of air (humidity)- determines plant growth and distribution and biome type (ex desert vs forest vs tropical forest) - atmospheric water vapor supplies moisture for clouds, rainfall, plays role in atmospheric energy exchanges - water vapor is a greenhouse gas b/c it traps heat leaving the surface36
9748449483dew point- the temperature at which water vapor in the air (at constant barometric pressure) condenses into liquid water at the same rate at which it evaporates - at temperature below the dew point, water will leave the air37
9748453497mountain ranges- rain shadow effect: side of mntns facing ocean is "windward side" get a ton of rain; side opposite ocean is "leeward side", gets little rain - temp dec as altitude inc - orographic lifting: warm moist air rises to top of mountain, where the atmospheric pressure dec (b/c of in altitude) the air expands and cools to reach the dew point; at dew point moisture condenses onto mountain and it precipitates; air then descends onto other side (leeward side) but that side doesn't get any rain cause it already rained!38
9748463592orographic lifting- when an air mass is forced from a low elevation to a higher elevation as it moves over rising terrain like a mountain - as it gains altitude it expands and cools, which can raise relative humidity and create clouds and sometimes precipitation39
9748473841plate tectonics and volcanoes- volcanoes produce CO2 - if/when supercontinents stabilize, global volcanism slows, less CO2 in atmosphere --> global cooling - inc volcanism --> more CO2 in atmosphere --> greenhouse warming40
9748481395pollution- greenhouse gases emitted from natural sources like volcaoes or anthropogenic sources like industry, transportation - why am i writing this41
9748487728precession- the wobble of earth on it's axis - changes the amt of energy received by the sun - changes in the orientation (tilt) of Earth in space also affects climate42
9748491951rotation- rotation affects day/night t/f affects daily temp cycles - night heat escapes - daily min temp occurs right before sunrise43
9748498038solar output- times of sunspot activity (once every 11, 90, 180 yrs) correspond to decreases in solar radiation reaching earth - changes of solar output can affect earth's temp - sun's magnetic field reverses every 22 years44
9748505325volcanoes- sulfur rich eruptions -> stuff into atmosphere -> cooling in troposphere, warming in stratosphere - volcanic aerosols -> 1-3 yrs in atmosphere -> tropospheric cooling, when in stratosphere can help destroy ozone - over long ass time ash in oceans can make it more iron-y, which promote biotic activity, which can lower the CO2 concentration of seawater, and hence atmospheric CO2 levels, and t/f global cooling45
9748555960wind patterns- are influenced by temp, pressure differences (gradients), and Coriolis effect - sun heats atmosphere unevenly - air closest to surface is warmer and rises - air at high elevations is cooler, sinks - aka our good friend, convection! causes winds46
9748568028global air circulation is caused and affected by:- uneven heating of Earth's surface - seasons - Coriolis effect - the amt of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface - convection cells created by areas of warm ocean water which are caused by differences in water density, winds, and Earth's rotation47
9748575394land and sea breezes- sunny days: land warms up faster than sea (has a lower specific heat) - t/f the air above the land is less dense than that over the sea - t/f sea breeze (sea --> land) - calm, clear nights: land cools down faster than sea - air over land is more dense than air over sea - t/f land breeze (land --> sea)48
9748588831Coriolis Force- deflection in path - caused by Earth's rotation - N hemisphere moves R - S hemisphere moves left - greater deflection the greater the speed and the lat - more deflection @ high speeds, at poles - is 0 at equator49
9748608975human activitydeforestation, urbanization, heat island effects, release of pollutants/greenhouse gases, burning of fossil fuels, production of acid rain - in pollution with an increase in conventional uplift in urban area = more rainfall in urban areas50
97486629232 000 000 BCE to 12 000 BCE: The Pleistocene Ice Age- glacial sheets - interglacial periods: warmer so glaciers retreated - glacial periods: colder so they advanced51
974867152612 000 BCE to 3 000 BCE- warming of earth and glacial retreat began - sudden cooling period b/w 10 000 and 8 500 BCE; possibly d/t fresh water trapped behind ice in NA draining into oceans and f*ing with the currents which exchange heat energy with the atmosphere - warming resumes 8 500 BCE CLIMATIC OPTIMUM: 5000 to 3000 BCE: max global temp reached: avg global temp 2-4 deg F warmer than they are today; ancient civs began52
97487257833000 BCE to 750 BCE- 3000 to 2000 BCE = cooling trend --> caused drop in sea lvls, many islands and coasts emerged - 2000 to 1500 BCE = warming - 1500 to 750 BCE = renewed ice growth in continental glaciers and alpine glaciers and sea lvl drop53
9748754535750 BCE to 900 CE- 750 BCE to 150 BCE = warming - 150 BCE - 300 CE (roman empire) - 900 CE = cooling, Nile R and Black Sea froze :/54
9748766210900 CE to 1200 CE (Little Climatic Optimum)- warm period - Vikings est on Greenland, Iceland - followed by cooler, more extreme weather ex floods, droughts, seasonal fluctuatios up to 1400s55
97487740701500 CE to 1850 CE (Little Ice Age)1550 to 1850 CE: cold af56
97487756181850 - nowgeneral warming57
9748781448why does Sun heat atmosphere unevenly?- rotation of Earth on axis - rotation around the sun, - tilt of axis58
9748794019global air circulation is affected by:- convection cells created by warm ocean waters (commonly lead to hurricanes) - uneven heating of surface - seasons - coriolis effect - amt of solar radiation reaching earth over long periods of time - ocean currents caused by differences in water density - winds - earth's rotation59
9748804831trade winds- blow from NE in N H, from SE in S H - strengthen during winter - blow tropical storms that form over Atlantic, Pacific, south Indian oceans over to N Am, SE Asia, India - steer African dust W into Caribbean sea60
9748817807wind moves from ___ pressure to ___ pressurehigh; low61
9748819358wind speed is determined bypressure differences between air masses; the greater the pressure the greater the speed; measured by an anemometer if you're looking at isobars; the closer together they are the stronger the wind62
9748829552The Coriolis effect causes winds in the N hemisphere to spiral _____ in high pressure areas and spiral out _______ in low pressure areasclockwise in high pressure; counter clockwise in low pressure; opposite in S H63
9748869797Hadley Cells- next to equator - creates trade winds - equatorial regions: (0 deg) LOW PRESSURE so air RISES high humidity, high clouds, heavy rains no winter tropical rain forest - subtropical regions: (30 deg) - next to Ferrel cells - HIGH PRESSURE so air FALLS - low humidity, little clouds, deserts64
9748892467Ferrel Cells- 30 deg to 50 deg - HIGH pressure at 30 deg so air FALLS; LOW pressure at 60 deg so air RISES - creates Westerlies -temperate zone65
9748913493Polar Cells60 deg to 90 deg 60 deg - next to Ferrel cells LOW PRESSURE so moist warm air RISES 90 deg- HIGH PRESSURE so cold dry air FALLS creates Polar fronts - tundra and taiga cold deserts66
9748943437Air Circulation Cells67
9748950995hurricanes- begin over warm ocean where trade winds converge - subtropical high pressure zone = high daytime temps w/ low humidity t/f lots of ocean evaporation - coriolis effect makes them spin - thunderstorms develop over tropical oceans and coriolis effect makes them spin - center is "eye" - low pressure, descending air - energy dissipates as it moves68
9748970128tornadoes vs hurricanes- both have eyes w/ low pressure - tornadoes are smaller - tornadoes are produced from 1 convective storm like a thunderstorm- - hurricanes are huge - hurricanes are made from many convective storms - tornadoes mostly on land b/c solar heating of land surface helps create the thunderstorm - tropical cyclones mostly ocean, die out over land d/t no moisture69
9748988741monsoons- strong violent winds, change direction w/ season - blow from cold to warm regions b/c cold air takes up more space than warm air70
9749017754Normal State (not el niño o la niña; aka "La Nada")- easterly trade winds move water and air moved by sun to W (Walker circulation) - trade winds pile up water in W Pacific which makes a deep warm layer in W - pushes thermocline down in W, and it rises in E - shallow E thermocline allows winds to pull up old nutrient rich water from below - W side of equatorial Pacific has warm, wet low pressure weather, typhoons and thunderstorms71
9749036237El Niño / El Niño - Southern Oscillation (ENSO)- air pressure patterns in S Pacific reverse direction - trade winds DEC in strength, reverse direction - normal flow of water away from S Am dec - ocean water piles up near S Am - thermocline is pushed deeper - upwelling of nutrient rich deep water is DEC --> fish kills off coast of S Am - E Pacific surface temp INC d/t deeper thermocline, dec westward transport of water - shift of precailling rain pattern from normal W Pacific to central Pacific; rainfall is more common in central Pacific while W Pacific becomes drier - warm phase of ENSO72
9749082684La Niña- opposite of El Niño - trade winds are stronger - inc upwelling off S Am - cooler than normal sea surface temps - rain pattern shifts W - winds pile up warm surface water in W Pacific - cold ocean temps in E equatorial Pacific - inc in hurricanes in S/E US - heavier monsoons in India, S/E Asia73
9749085097climatological effects of el niño74
9749117643climatological effects of la niña75
9749128995List 3 facts about each of the following gases in the atmosphere: a. nitrogen b. oxygen c. water vapor d. carbon dixoide e. methane f. nitrous oxide g. ozonepgs 109-11076
9749141315describe each of the following layers of the atmosphere: a. troposphere b. stratosphere c. mesosphere d. ionospherepgs 110-11177
9749143329describe the difference between weather and climatepg 11178
9749146335describe the difference between radiation, conduction, and convectionpg 11179
9749148070name and describe 5 factors that influence climatepgs 112-11780
9749151089describe 3 major climatic periods during Earth's historypgs 117-11881
9749152553describe how a convection cell workspg 11982
9749154139describe the Coriolis effectpg 11983
9749156780describe the characteristics of Hadley, Ferrel, and polar cellspgs 120-12284
9749158194describe how hurricanes and tornadoes formpgs 123-12485
9749162959describe how monsoons form and where they occurpg 12486
9749164865describe the "rain shadow effect"pg 12587
9749166554describe how El Niño formspgs 125-12688
9749168949describe how La Niña formspg 12789
9749172532MC questions - WIP (if anyone wants to add the MC Qs from the Barron's book be my guest <3)90

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