Ecology 1: Energy and the Biosphere

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Questions and Answers

What is the term for the remaining portion of energy that reaches the Earth's surface?

Insolation

What percentage of the Earth's energy budget is reflected back to space?

25%

What is the term used to describe the balance between the radiant energy that reaches Earth and the energy that flows from Earth back out to space?

The Earth's energy budget

Why is it important to track the energy from the Sun?

To understand the Earth's energy budget Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the Earth's energy budget is absorbed by the atmosphere?

25% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of energy for the Earth?

The Sun Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the energy that flows from the Earth back out to space?

Radiant energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of studying the Earth's energy budget?

To understand the balance between the energy that reaches the Earth and the energy that is lost back to space Signup and view all the answers

How does the direction of the sun's rays impact the temperature of an area?

The more direct the rays, the more energy received, and the warmer the area. The less direct the rays, the less energy received, and the cooler the area. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to sun rays at the equator compared to the poles?

At the equator, sun rays strike directly and are concentrated on a smaller area, while at the poles, the same amount of sun rays is distributed over a larger area. Signup and view all the answers

How does the surface area of the Earth's surface impact the scattering and absorption of sun rays?

The greater the surface area, the greater the amount of rays scattered and absorbed, resulting in a cooler temperature. The smaller the surface area, the lesser the rays scattered and absorbed, resulting in a warmer temperature. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the Earth's tilt on the distribution of sun rays?

The tilt of the Earth results in uneven distribution of sun rays, with more direct rays at the equator and less direct rays at the poles. Signup and view all the answers

How does atmospheric depth vary across the Earth's surface?

Atmospheric depth differs across the Earth's surface due to the varying angle of incidence of sun rays. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the concentration of sun rays and temperature?

The more concentrated the sun rays, the warmer the temperature, and the less concentrated the sun rays, the cooler the temperature. Signup and view all the answers

How does the curvature of the Earth affect the scattering and absorption of sun rays?

The greater the curvature of the Earth, the greater the scattering and absorption of sun rays, resulting in a cooler temperature. Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of the Earth's tilt on the energy balance of the biosphere?

The tilt of the Earth affects the distribution of sun rays, leading to variations in energy balance and temperature across the biosphere. Signup and view all the answers

Why do the poles receive less intense heat from the sun than the equator?

The surface area through which sun rays need to pass is greater at the poles than at the equator. Signup and view all the answers

What happens on December 21st/22nd and June 21st/22nd in the Southern Hemisphere?

The sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn on December 21st/22nd, and the Tropic of Cancer on June 21st/22nd. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of March 21st/22nd and September 22nd/23rd in terms of the position of the sun?

The sun is directly overhead the equator at noon on these dates. Signup and view all the answers

What would happen to the Earth's temperature if its axis were straight up and down relative to its orbit?

Temperatures would remain fairly constant year-round, with no seasons. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the hemisphere tilted towards the sun receive more direct and intense heat?

Because the sun's rays hit it more directly, resulting in more intense heat. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why air close to the Earth's surface is warmer than air further away from the surface?

The pull of gravity and the pressure of air Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between air temperature and altitude within the troposphere?

Air temperature decreases with increasing altitude Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the pressure of the air and the weight above it on the Earth?

The pressure of the air is equal to the weight above it. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the existence of seasons on Earth?

The tilt of the Earth's axis as it revolves around the sun. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism driving the movement of warm air in the troposphere?

Warm air rises, cold air sinks Signup and view all the answers

What would happen if the Earth's axis were not tilted?

There would be no seasons. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the warm air rise to a maximum altitude of ± 60 km?

The air is pushed norward or southward by more air entering the low pressure Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the air at 60 km after it is pushed towards the poles?

It gets colder and denser, eventually sinking back to the Earth's surface Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of air flow in relation to pressure?

Air flows from an area of high pressure to an area of lower pressure Signup and view all the answers

What type of weather is associated with low pressure areas?

Rainy, windy weather Signup and view all the answers

What type of weather is associated with high pressure areas?

Dry, clear weather Signup and view all the answers

How does the rising and sinking of air contribute to the formation of low and high-pressure cells/belts near the equator?

Rising air creates low pressure cells/belts, while sinking air creates high pressure cells/belts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the latitudinal location of the polar, Ferrel, and Hadley cells and the equator?

The Hadley cells are located on either side of the equator, the Ferrel cells are located between 30° and 60°, and the polar cells are located between 60° and 90°. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 30° and 60° latitudes in relation to the global pressure cells?

These latitudes mark the boundaries between the Polar, Ferrel, and Hadley cells. Signup and view all the answers

How do the wind patterns and pressure zones vary between the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and the Southern Hemisphere (SH)?

The wind patterns and pressure zones are symmetrical on either side of the equator, with the same pattern occurring in both the NH and SH. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of air flow in shaping the Earth's surface and climate?

Air flow plays a crucial role in shaping the Earth's surface and climate by transferring heat, moisture, and momentum from one region to another. Signup and view all the answers

How do the three major pressure cells interact with each other to shape the global wind patterns?

The Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells interact through wind circulation, with air rising and sinking at specific latitudes, creating a global circulation pattern. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Energy and the Biosphere

The Sun's energy reaches the Earth's surface, and we can track this energy, which is essential to understand the Earth's energy budget.
The Earth's energy budget describes the balance between the radiant energy that reaches the Earth from the Sun and the energy that flows from the Earth back out to space.

Insolation and the Earth's Energy Budget

25% of the Sun's energy is reflected back to space, while 25% is absorbed by atmospheric gases.
The remaining 50% reaches the Earth's surface, which is known as insolation.

Distribution of the Sun's Rays

The more direct the Sun's rays, the more energy received, and the warmer the area.
The less direct the rays, the less energy received, and the cooler the area.
The Earth's round and tilted shape causes the Sun's rays to strike the Earth unevenly, resulting in:
- Concentrated energy at the equator, making it warmer.
- Scattered energy at the poles, making it cooler.
Atmospheric depth also differs, with the surface area the Sun's rays need to pass through being greater at the poles than at the equator.

Seasons

Two solstices occur when the Sun is directly overhead the:
- Tropic of Capricorn on December 21st/22nd (Southern Hemisphere, mid-summer).
- Tropic of Cancer on June 21st/22nd (Northern Hemisphere, mid-winter).
Two equinoxes occur when the Sun is directly overhead the:
- Equator at noon on March 21st/22nd and September 22nd/23rd.
The tilt of the Earth means a different hemisphere will be closer to the Sun at different times, resulting in seasons.
If the Earth's axis were straight up and down, temperatures would remain fairly constant year-round, and there would be no seasons.

Global Level Climatic Patterns

The pressure of the air exerted on the Earth is equal to the weight above it.
The pull of gravity and the pressure of air results in:
- Air close to the Earth's surface being warmer than the air further away.
- Air temperature decreasing with increasing altitude within the troposphere.
- Air pressure decreasing with increasing altitude.
Warm air rises, and cold air sinks due to density differences.
Rising warm air creates a low-pressure area, accompanied by rainy, windy weather.
Sinking cool air creates a high-pressure area, accompanied by dry, clear weather.

Wind Patterns and Pressure Zones

Air flows from an area of high pressure to an area of lower pressure.
Rising and sinking air creates low-pressure and high-pressure cells/belts both northwards and southwards of the equator.
Three major pressure cells are:
- Polar
- Ferrel
- Hadley
These pressure cells are located on either side of the Equator, in both the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere.

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Description

Learn about the basics of energy and its relation to the biosphere, including insolation and the Sun's energy. This quiz covers pages 1-6 of the lecture notes from Dr. Jyothi Kara's Ecology 1 course.