Quiz 2 Weather

The transfer of heat through direct contact between substances of different temperatures.

The transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases).

The transfer of heat through electromagnetic radiation, without the need for a medium.

Warm air rises because it's less dense than cooler air, causing it to float upward.

Cold air sinks because it's denser than warm air, meaning its molecules are more tightly packed.

As air rises, the atmospheric pressure decreases, causing the air to expand and cool.

Sinking air warms up because as it descends, the atmospheric pressure increases, causing the air to compress and heat up.

The process by which the Sun's energy reaches the Earth.

The variable that determines the type and amount of radiation emitted by a body.

The Sun emits more radiation than the Earth because it is much hotter.

The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum where the Sun emits the most energy.

The part of the electromagnetic spectrum that our eyes can see.

No, the moon doesn't emit light. We see the moon because its surface reflects sunlight.

Yes, the sun is a star that is emitting radiation. We see the visible light from that radiation.

The process of a liquid changing into a gas.

The process of a gas changing into a liquid.

The process of a solid changing into a liquid.

The process of a liquid changing into a solid.

The direct change of a solid into a gas.

The direct change of a gas into a solid.

Energy absorbed or released during a phase change without a change in temperature. Cannot be measured with a thermometer.

Heat that causes a change in temperature of a substance. Can be measured with a thermometer.

Gases that absorb certain wavelengths of radiation, particularly infrared radiation.

The primary greenhouse gases: water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

The process where certain gases in the atmosphere absorb infrared radiation from the Earth's surface, trapping heat and warming the planet.

The amount of solar radiation received by a specific area over a specific period of time.

Factors that control the amount of insolation received, including latitude, time of day, season, and weather conditions.

The shape of the Earth's orbit around the Sun, which is slightly oval.

The tilt of the Earth's axis, which is responsible for the seasons.

The two points in Earth's orbit when the Northern Hemisphere has its longest and shortest days, respectively.

The two points in Earth's orbit when the Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the Sun, resulting in equal day and night lengths.

In July, the Northern Hemisphere experiences summer, the North Pole points towards the Sun, and days are longer than 12 hours.

In January, the Northern Hemisphere experiences winter, the North Pole points away from the Sun, and days are shorter than 12 hours.

In July, the Southern Hemisphere experiences winter, the North Pole points away from the Sun, and days are shorter than 12 hours.

The regions around the equator that receive a surplus of energy from the Sun over the course of a year.

The regions near the poles that receive a deficit of energy from the Sun over the course of a year.

The process of moving excess energy from lower latitudes (tropics) towards higher latitudes (poles), helping to balance global temperatures.

The fraction of sunlight that is reflected by a surface rather than absorbed.

The albedos of common surfaces: Snow/Ice (highest), Water (lowest), Forest, Desert.

The average albedo of the Earth as a whole is 0.3, meaning 30% of sunlight is reflected back into space.