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Questions and Answers
What is a primary consequence of excessive rainfall on ecosystems?
What is formed when sulfur dioxide reacts with water?
Which of the following is a natural cause of acid rain?
How do nitrogen oxides contribute to the formation of acid rain?
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What effect does acid rain have on biodiversity?
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How is sunlight affected as it passes through the atmosphere?
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What is a common outcome of biological processes in the oceans related to atmospheric emissions?
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What optical phenomenon occurs when sunlight is obstructed?
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What is the primary characteristic of the Subtropical Jet Stream?
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What are Polar High Pressure Belts primarily characterized by?
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What typically occurs when a Cold Front advances?
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What are the characteristics of Cirrostratus clouds?
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Which weather events are classified as Tropical Cyclones?
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What is the main driver of the Gulf Stream?
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What major pollutants lead to the formation of acid rain?
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What is wet deposition in relation to acid rain?
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What is typically associated with the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)?
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How does an Occluded Front occur?
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What is the effect of acid rain on aquatic environments?
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What defines dry deposition in the context of acid rain?
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What defines a Tropical Storm in terms of wind speed?
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Which cloud type is characterized by being puffy and patchy, usually at mid-level altitudes?
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What is a consequence of acid rain on human-made structures?
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What factors primarily contribute to eutrophication in ecosystems?
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What is the primary function of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
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Which layer of the atmosphere contains most of the clouds and weather phenomena?
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What is the effect on temperature without the greenhouse effect?
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Which gas is known to have increased by 30% due to human activities?
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In which layer of the atmosphere does the temperature decrease with height?
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What role does the ozone layer play in the stratosphere?
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Which of the following gases is primarily released from livestock activities?
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How does atmospheric pressure change with height?
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What is the wind velocity range for tropical cyclones?
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What characterizes a supertyphoon?
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What does the eye of the typhoon represent?
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What is associated with a storm surge?
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Which type of climate has a very pronounced rainfall from November to April?
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What risk is associated with heavy rainfall from tropical cyclones?
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What is considered a 'direct hit' by a tropical cyclone?
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What does landfall signify in terms of a hurricane's movement?
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Study Notes
Atmospheric Composition
- Water vapor constitutes 0.4% of the atmosphere.
- Argon (Ar) is present at less than 1%.
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is 0.036%, playing a vital role in temperature regulation.
- Trace gases include methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), along with various noble gases.
Structure of the Atmosphere
- The atmosphere is divided into multiple layers, predominantly separated with little chemical interaction.
- 50% of the atmosphere's mass is located within 6 km of Earth's surface.
- Atmospheric pressure decreases with height as energy from the sun predominantly heats the lower atmosphere.
Layers of the Atmosphere
- Troposphere: Hosts most weather-related phenomena.
- Stratosphere: Contains the protective ozone layer.
- Mesosphere: Characterized by a decline in temperature with height.
- Thermosphere/Ionosphere: Region influenced by UV and cosmic rays.
- Exosphere: The outermost layer, transitioning into space.
The Greenhouse Effect
- Greenhouse gases (GHGs) permit shortwave radiation but trap longwave radiation, warming the Earth by approximately 33°C.
- Without the greenhouse effect, Earth’s temperature would be significantly lower.
Greenhouse Gases
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Derived from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation; has increased by 30%.
- Methane (CH4): Emitted from rice farming, livestock, and landfills; has surged by 145%.
- Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Originates from agricultural practices and fossil fuel combustion.
Acid Rain
- Acid rain is precipitation that becomes acidic due to pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ).
- It forms as gases react with water, oxygen, and other atmospheric chemicals.
- Acid rain can occur as both wet and dry deposition, affecting surfaces without direct precipitation.
Effects of Acid Rain
- Acidifies soils, impacting plant health and biodiversity.
- Deteriorates water bodies, disrupting aquatic ecosystems.
- Causes erosion of limestone structures, impacting buildings and monuments.
Causes of Acid Rain
- Human activities: Burning fossil fuels releases SO₂ and NOₓ.
- Natural causes: Emissions from volcanoes and biological processes in wetlands.
Chemical Reactions Leading to Acid Rain
- Sulfur dioxide reacts with water to form sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃).
- Nitrogen oxides react with water, resulting in nitric acid formation.
Meteorological Circulation
- Planetary wind systems impact ocean movement and weather patterns.
- Tropical Cyclones, including typhoons and hurricanes, develop from tropical disturbances.
Types of Fronts
- Cold Front: Advances cold air, displacing warm air.
- Warm Front: Warm air moves forward, causing the retreat of cold air.
- Occluded Front: Combination of cold and warm fronts.
- Stationary Front: A fixed boundary between air masses.
Cyclone Development Stages
- Tropical Disturbance
- Tropical Depression: Winds 38-62 kph.
- Tropical Storm: Winds 63-87 kph.
- Severe Tropical Storm: Winds 88-120 kph.
- Tropical Cyclone: Winds exceeding 121 kph.
Philippine Climate
- Classified based on rainfall patterns as Type I (two pronounced seasons) and other types with varying characteristics.
- Storm surge poses coastal flooding risks during tropical storms and hurricanes.
Eye of the Typhoon
- Center of the storm with the lowest pressure, surrounded by a destructive eyewall of thunderstorms.
Storm Surges
- Caused by strong winds associated with tropical storms, resulting in elevated ocean levels and coastal flooding.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the structure of the atmosphere and the role of trace gases in the greenhouse effect and global warming. It covers specific gas concentrations such as carbon dioxide, methane, and others, and their significance in temperature regulation. Test your knowledge on the complex interactions within our atmosphere.
