Atmospheric Composition and Greenhouse Gases
40 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is a primary consequence of excessive rainfall on ecosystems?

  • Excessive plant growth like algal blooms (correct)
  • Decrease in water temperature
  • Increase in biodiversity
  • Reduction in soil nutrients

    • What is formed when sulfur dioxide reacts with water?

  • Hydrosulfuric acid
  • Nitric acid
  • Bisulfite ion (correct)
  • Hydrogen sulfide

    • Which of the following is a natural cause of acid rain?

  • Industrial waste disposal
  • Emissions from volcanoes (correct)
  • Releases from motor vehicles
  • Burning of fossil fuels

    • How do nitrogen oxides contribute to the formation of acid rain?

    <p>By reacting with water to form nitric acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does acid rain have on biodiversity?

    <p>It decreases biodiversity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is sunlight affected as it passes through the atmosphere?

    <p>It is refracted, scattered, or reflected</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common outcome of biological processes in the oceans related to atmospheric emissions?

    <p>Production of dimethyl sulfide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What optical phenomenon occurs when sunlight is obstructed?

    <p>Various atmospheric optical phenomena</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of the Subtropical Jet Stream?

    <p>It is found around 30° latitude.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are Polar High Pressure Belts primarily characterized by?

    <p>High pressure areas with shifting centers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What typically occurs when a Cold Front advances?

    <p>Warm air is forced to retreat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the characteristics of Cirrostratus clouds?

    <p>Thin clouds that cover most of the sky, allowing sun or moon visibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which weather events are classified as Tropical Cyclones?

    <p>Hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main driver of the Gulf Stream?

    <p>Uneven heating of the Earth by the sun.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major pollutants lead to the formation of acid rain?

    <p>Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is wet deposition in relation to acid rain?

    <p>Removal of acidic pollutants through precipitation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is typically associated with the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)?

    <p>Calm prevailing winds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does an Occluded Front occur?

    <p>A mix of warm and cold fronts overlaps.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of acid rain on aquatic environments?

    <p>Acidifies rivers, lakes, and seas, impacting their chemical balance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines dry deposition in the context of acid rain?

    <p>Acid particles and gases adhering to surfaces without precipitation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines a Tropical Storm in terms of wind speed?

    <p>Winds between 63-87 kph.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cloud type is characterized by being puffy and patchy, usually at mid-level altitudes?

    <p>Altocumulus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of acid rain on human-made structures?

    <p>Accelerates the erosion of limestone structures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factors primarily contribute to eutrophication in ecosystems?

    <p>Nutrient enrichment, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

    <p>Allow shortwave radiation to pass through and trap longwave radiation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of the atmosphere contains most of the clouds and weather phenomena?

    <p>Troposphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect on temperature without the greenhouse effect?

    <p>The Earth would be much colder.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which gas is known to have increased by 30% due to human activities?

    <p>Carbon Dioxide (CO2)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which layer of the atmosphere does the temperature decrease with height?

    <p>Mesosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the ozone layer play in the stratosphere?

    <p>It protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following gases is primarily released from livestock activities?

    <p>Nitrous Oxide (N2O)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does atmospheric pressure change with height?

    <p>It decreases with altitude.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the wind velocity range for tropical cyclones?

    <p>121-240 kph</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes a supertyphoon?

    <p>Sustained winds of at least 240 kph</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the eye of the typhoon represent?

    <p>The lowest barometric pressure within the storm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is associated with a storm surge?

    <p>Rise in ocean levels due to strong winds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of climate has a very pronounced rainfall from November to April?

    <p>Type I</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What risk is associated with heavy rainfall from tropical cyclones?

    <p>Flash floods and landslides</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is considered a 'direct hit' by a tropical cyclone?

    <p>The core of high winds comes onshore</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does landfall signify in terms of a hurricane's movement?

    <p>When the hurricane reaches the coast and travels over land</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Hydromet Reviewer (jojo).pdf

    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.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser