Exam Week Part 3c - Atmosphere (Hydrosphere): Climate & Weather

OK family here is the next part of the review...

A. Earth in Motion (Geosystems Chapter 2)

1. Define and explain the following in terms of weather and climate: Revolution, Precession, Tilt, Equinox (vernal, autumnal), Solstice (summer, winter), Rotation, Coriolis Effect
2. In reference to the sun define: Solar Constant, Net Radiation (Rn), Insolation, Shortwave vs. Longwave radiation
3. Explain how the angle of incidence affects the total solar insolation received; by example explain why it is that in the summer Courtenay is warmer, even though it is actually further from the Sun, in the summer than in the winter.

B. Solar Radiation (Geosystems Chapter 3 & 4)

1. What is the gaseous composition of the atmosphere: % N2, %O2, %CO2, %H20.
2. Identify Sources and problems associated with CO2, NOx, O3, and SO2.
3. Identify on a diagram, and describe the natures (e.g., temperature increase/decrease) of the layers of the atmosphere: Troposphere (weather, tropopause), Stratosphere (ozone layer, jet streams - polar & equatorial, stratopause), Mesosphere, Thermosphere (Ionosphere, Aurora Borealis & Australis), Exosphere (space)
4. Define: Albedo — and rank the following in terms of their maximum albedo; forest, deforested area, snow.
5. Discuss the causes, effects, and possible solutions to Global Warming.
6. Discuss the causes, effects, and possible solutions to Ozone Depletion.

C. Weather Patterns and Climate (Geosystems Chapter 5, 6 & 10)

1. Differentiate weather and climate.
2. Outline Köppen’s Climatic Classification system (A, B, C, D, and E climates on the globe) and summarize the features of and location of; Tropical, Desert, Mid-latitude, High Latitude, and Highland Climates.
3. Use a climograph to interpret climate in terms of the following, given a climograph from any location on the planet. Temperature: tropical, subtropical, temperate, cold, Arctic and Precipitation: seasonal (evenly distributed, summer, winter, desert)
4. Discuss the effect of Latitude on climate
5. Discuss the effect of Wind Systems on climate. Be able to understand on cross-sectional diagram of global air cells and movements on the Earth’s surface from 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°N/S the following: Polar Easterlies, Jet Streams, Westerlies, Horse Latitudes, NE and SE Trade Winds, Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, High and Low Pressure Cells, Coriolis Effect and Ferrel and Hadley cells, Doldrums, Regions of High Pressure, Regions of Low Pressure
6. Define Monsoon, state their causes and identify the areas most affected by Monsoon winds (and associated rains).
7. Discuss the effect of Ocean Currents on climate. How is water a regulator of temperature and how is energy distributed by the ocean currents? How does this affect climate, and economies? On a map of the world indicate the movement of cold and warm ocean currents.
8. Discuss the effect of Continentality on climate
9. Discuss the effect of Altitude on climate. What is the environmental lapse rate (ELR) for every 1000 m?
10. Discuss the Local Effects on climate such as: Sea/Ocean/Lake breeze, Land breeze (Night and Day Breeze), Katabatic and Anabatic winds, Chinook, Aspect (slope of the land), and Rain shadow
11. Discuss the causes, effects, and possible solutions to Acid Precipitation.

D. Weather (Geosystems Chapter 8)

1. Define meteorology.
2. Identify and define the factors commonly measured by meteorologists; air pressure (Barometer), air temperature (thermometer), precipitation (rain gauge, hygrometer), wind (anemometer), cloud, visibility.
3. Identify Air masses in terms of place of origin (Arctic, Tropical); Formation on land or over water (continental, maritime); When a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass what happens?
4. Describe the events and weather that results from the following situations. In winter a mP air mass collides with a cP air mass over Courtenay (precipitation?) in winter: a cP air mass remains over Courtenay (temerature?) in winter a mP air mass remains over Courtenay (temperature?) in summer a mT air mass collides with a cP air mass over Courtenay (precipitation?)
5. In terms of the mid- and high latitude weather define and understand a diagram of: a Frontal System, a Cyclone and anti-cyclone, a Warm front, cold front, and an occluded front. Explain that a high pressure system is generally associated with what kind of weather in the summer and winter? Explain that a low pressure system is generally associated with what kind of weather in the summer and winter? Why?
6. Identify and define the four main types of clouds, and provide examples from each: High cloud: cirrus, cirrocumulus, cirrostratus; Middle cloud: altocumulus, altostratus; Low cloud: stratus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus; and vertically developed clouds: cumulus, cumulonimbus
7. Describe the effect of the Jet Stream on weather.
8. In terms of Equatorial weather define and understand a diagram of tropical storms (tropical disturbance, tropical depression, tropical storm, and hurricane/typhoon)
9. Define and diagram Tornado (and water spout).
10. From a weather map, be able to identify, read and extrapolate the meanings of: Isobars (If isobars are close together, what does this tell you about the pressure gradient and wind speed?); a Simplified Station Model (including the various symbols used to delineate fronts, clouds, wind speed (in km/h and the Beaufort scale), and present weather)
11. Describe in detail the three types of rainfall: Frontal (Convergent) or Cyclonic rainfall; Orographic or Relief rainfall (Define Rainshadow.); and Convectional rainfall
12. Describe and explain the occurrence of: Radiation or Ground fog; Advection fog; and Orographic fog

E. The Hydrosphere and the Hydrologic Cycle (Geosystems Chapter 7 & 9)

1. Understand a diagram of and explain the components of the Hydrologic Cycle including evaporation, ground water, clouds, transpiration, precipitation, surface water, and condensation
2. Explain why the western edges of the continents tend to be more biologically diverse?
3. Which coastlines are likely to be the most threatened by pollution?
4. In terms of Ground Water understand a diagram of and define aquifer, artesian spring, permeability and porosity. What is the major source of ground water pollution and what is the largest waste of groundwater?
5. Discuss the causes and formation of Clouds, Fog and understand the following terminology associated the resulting Precipitation: Absolute humidity (g/m3), Relative Humidity (%), Dew Point, Hygroscopic particles, condensation nuclei, and hail