Climatology and Atmospheric Layers
35 Questions
1 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary gas composition of the troposphere?

  • Oxygen (21%)
  • Water Vapor (up to 5%)
  • Nitrogen (78%) (correct)
  • Carbon Dioxide (0.0365%)

    • What is the maximum altitude of the troposphere?

  • 12 km
  • 10 km (correct)
  • 8 km
  • 15 km

    • Which of the following statements about water vapor in the troposphere is correct?

  • Water vapor typically ranges from 0.01% to 5% (correct)
  • Water vapor is primarily composed of nitrogen
  • Water vapor does not exist in the troposphere
  • Water vapor is a constant 5%

    • Which layer of the atmosphere is known for containing the majority of the Earth's weather?

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

    What percentage of the troposphere's composition is carbon dioxide?

    <p>0.0365%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of the air in the stratosphere?

    <p>It is thin and dry.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what altitude does the stratosphere begin above the troposphere?

    <p>10-50 km</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do jets typically fly in the stratosphere?

    <p>To avoid weather disturbances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not true about the stratosphere?

    <p>It experiences significant weather phenomena.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be inferred about turbulence in the stratosphere compared to the troposphere?

    <p>There is less turbulence in the stratosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is significantly different about the composition of the stratosphere compared to the troposphere?

    <p>It contains significantly more ozone.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately differentiates climate from weather?

    <p>Climate is the long-term average of weather patterns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about climate change is supported by evidence?

    <p>The 20th Century was the hottest in the past 1000 years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes both climate and weather?

    <p>They change with time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What measurement significantly differs between the troposphere and stratosphere?

    <p>Water vapor levels are 1000 times less in the stratosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the approximate increase in sea level during the 20th century?

    <p>100-200 cm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    By how much did the global temperature increase since 1861?

    <p>0.6 degrees Celsius</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which decade was reported to have had the highest temperature on record up to 1990?

    <p>1980s</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the year 1990 in relation to temperature records?

    <p>It marked the beginning of the hottest decades.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why can't real experiments be conducted on the earth's climate?

    <p>It is impossible to control all variables.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the expected range of sea level rise due to thermal expansion and other factors by the year 2100?

    <p>9 to 88 cm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ice sheet is currently losing ice at a significant rate?

    <p>Greenland Ice Sheet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributes mainly to the persistence of anthropogenic climate change over centuries?

    <p>Greenhouse gas emissions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the forecasted global temperature increase by 2100 compared to pre-industrial levels?

    <p>Between 1.4°C and 5.8°C</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is primarily responsible for the thermal expansion of seawater leading to rising sea levels?

    <p>Temperature increase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) primarily known for in the stratosphere?

    <p>Breaking down ozone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a use of CFCs?

    <p>Solar panels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of the loss of the ozone layer?

    <p>Higher incidence of sunburn</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long do CFCs typically take to reach the stratosphere after being released into the atmosphere?

    <p>10-20 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which protocols aim to reduce the emission of CFCs?

    <p>Montreal Protocol and Copenhagen Protocol</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one effect of ozone layer depletion on human health?

    <p>Increased skin cancer incidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the environmental impacts of ozone layer depletion?

    <p>Increased acid deposition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors is NOT impacted by ozone layer depletion?

    <p>Polar ice mass</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the potential benefits of substituting CFCs?

    <p>Lower greenhouse gas emissions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long do CFCs take to break down in the atmosphere?

    <p>65-385 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Troposphere

    • Weather happens here
    • Location: surface to about 10 km
    • Composition: unpolluted air; Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Remaining 1% is CO2 (0.0365%), H, He, Ar
    • Water vapor is .01% to 5%

    Stratosphere

    • Location: above troposphere, about 10 to 50 km
    • Very thin air; virtually no weather, and no turbulence
    • Similar composition to troposphere, except:
    • Water vapor is 1000 x less
    • Ozone is 1000 x greater

    Atmospheric Pressure and Temperature

    • Pressure and temperature decrease with increasing altitude
    • The graph displays how pressure, temperature and altitude relate.
    • Note the location of the tropopause and stratopause

    Climate vs Weather

    • Climate = long-term atmospheric conditions
    • Weather = short-term atmospheric conditions
    • Both are dynamic and change over time

    CO2 Measurements

    • Graph shows CO2 levels rising over time (1960-2000)

    Evidence for Climate Change

    • 20th century was the warmest in the past 1000 years
    • Global temperatures have risen 0.6°C (1.1°F) since 1861
    • 16 warmest years recorded since 1980, 10 warmest since 1990
    • Glaciers and sea ice are melting
    • Sea level has risen 100-200 cm over the 20th century

    Projecting Future Changes

    • Real experiments aren't possible for the entire Earth's climate
    • Use scaled-up small experiments
    • Computer models (GCMs)
    • Learn from the past (paleoclimatology)

    Sea Level Rise

    • There is a graph showing sea level rise over time
    • The graph also shows different scenarios for sea level rise by the year 2100

    Solutions to Climate Change

    • Do more research (wait and see) - current US strategy
    • Act now to reduce risks because of global warming impacts (severe)
    • Act now in the same way to reduce global warming risks, regardless of whether warming occurs
    • Prevention strategies and cleanup strategies detailed

    Removing CO₂ from the Atmosphere

    • Methods for removing CO2 from the atmosphere are described.

    Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

    • 1988 - IPCC established (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)
    • 1997 - Kyoto Protocol reached
    • Agreement to reduce CO2 emissions from 39 countries
    • US pulled out of the agreement in 2001
    • Russia's ratification was needed for the Protocol to take effect;
    • New post-Kyoto treaty?

    Ozone in the Stratosphere

    • Ozone (O₂) protects life on Earth from harmful UV solar radiation
    • Ozone depletion causes the ozone "hole"

    CFCs

    • Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and related chemicals break down ozone in the stratosphere
    • Used in many applications, now mostly phased out

    Seasonal Ozone Layer Thinning

    • Graph showing seasonal thinning of ozone layers

    Loss of the Ozone Layer: Reasons for Concern

    • Increased incidence of sunburn, eye cataracts, skin cancer
    • Immune system suppression
    • Increase in acid deposition
    • Lower crop yields and reduced productivity

    Solutions: Protecting the Ozone Layer

    • CFC substitutes
    • Montreal Protocol (1987)
    • Copenhagen Protocol (1992)

    Future Climate Predictions

    • Global average temperature and sea level will likely rise based on IPCC scenarios
    • Temperature increases between 1.4 and 5.8 °C from 1990–2100
    • Snow and ice cover will decline (exceptions noted), with Greenland losing ice compared to Antarctica gaining
    • Sea-level rise anticipated
    • Change will potentially persist for centuries

    Studying That Suits You

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

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Climate Change Chapter 3 - Part 1 PDF

    Description

    Explore the different layers of the atmosphere, including the troposphere and stratosphere, and their unique characteristics. This quiz also covers the distinction between weather and climate, as well as evidence of climate change through CO2 measurements. Test your understanding of these essential concepts in atmospheric science.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser