Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which event marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere?
Which event marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere?
What does the term 'equinox' mean?
What does the term 'equinox' mean?
When does the summer solstice typically occur in the Northern Hemisphere?
When does the summer solstice typically occur in the Northern Hemisphere?
What is the sub-solar point?
What is the sub-solar point?
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Which latitudes experience the same weather year round?
Which latitudes experience the same weather year round?
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During the summer solstice, what happens above the arctic circle?
During the summer solstice, what happens above the arctic circle?
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What causes the change in seasons?
What causes the change in seasons?
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What are the tropics of cancer and capricorn?
What are the tropics of cancer and capricorn?
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What happens at the northern hemisphere's winter solstice above the arctic circle?
What happens at the northern hemisphere's winter solstice above the arctic circle?
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Which direction is the northern hemisphere tilted during its summer?
Which direction is the northern hemisphere tilted during its summer?
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Which celestial object does the axis of the Earth point towards?
Which celestial object does the axis of the Earth point towards?
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What is the tilt angle of the Earth's axis from the plane of the ecliptic?
What is the tilt angle of the Earth's axis from the plane of the ecliptic?
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Will the North Star always remain the exact point where the Earth's axis points?
Will the North Star always remain the exact point where the Earth's axis points?
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What is the term used to describe the Earth's axis maintaining the same orientation throughout its rotation and revolution?
What is the term used to describe the Earth's axis maintaining the same orientation throughout its rotation and revolution?
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Which of the following is the primary reason for the Earth's seasons?
Which of the following is the primary reason for the Earth's seasons?
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What is the difference between direct radiation and diffuse radiation?
What is the difference between direct radiation and diffuse radiation?
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What is net radiation?
What is net radiation?
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Which factor influences the control of temperature on Earth?
Which factor influences the control of temperature on Earth?
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What does seasonality refer to?
What does seasonality refer to?
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Based on the information provided, what is the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Based on the information provided, what is the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
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How is the concentration of carbon dioxide commonly expressed?
How is the concentration of carbon dioxide commonly expressed?
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Which region in the United States still relies heavily on burning fossil fuels for energy?
Which region in the United States still relies heavily on burning fossil fuels for energy?
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According to the text, what is the average global surface temperature in degrees Fahrenheit?
According to the text, what is the average global surface temperature in degrees Fahrenheit?
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Based on the information given, what is the average lapse rate in degrees Fahrenheit per thousand feet?
Based on the information given, what is the average lapse rate in degrees Fahrenheit per thousand feet?
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If the temperature at sea level is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, what would be the expected temperature at an elevation of 10,000 feet based on the average lapse rate?
If the temperature at sea level is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, what would be the expected temperature at an elevation of 10,000 feet based on the average lapse rate?
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What generalization can be made about air temperature as elevation or altitude increases?
What generalization can be made about air temperature as elevation or altitude increases?
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Which layer of the atmosphere is responsible for weather and has a temperature that decreases with increasing altitude?
Which layer of the atmosphere is responsible for weather and has a temperature that decreases with increasing altitude?
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What is the average lapse rate in the troposphere?
What is the average lapse rate in the troposphere?
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Which layer of the atmosphere contains ozone and protects us from ultraviolet light?
Which layer of the atmosphere contains ozone and protects us from ultraviolet light?
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Where is low Earth orbit located?
Where is low Earth orbit located?
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According to the text, why does the temperature drop as we go up in elevation in the troposphere?
According to the text, why does the temperature drop as we go up in elevation in the troposphere?
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What is the composition of the Earth's atmosphere?
What is the composition of the Earth's atmosphere?
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Where does the majority of atmospheric heating come from?
Where does the majority of atmospheric heating come from?
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Why does the temperature at the top of a mountain feel colder than at the surface?
Why does the temperature at the top of a mountain feel colder than at the surface?
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Which of the following statements is true about greenhouse gases?
Which of the following statements is true about greenhouse gases?
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What is the current level of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere?
What is the current level of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere?
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What is the primary reason for the increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere?
What is the primary reason for the increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere?
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Study Notes
Understanding the Earth's Seasons
- The amount of energy from solar radiation that reaches the top of the Earth's atmosphere is constant.
- The distance between the poles and the equator is not significant enough to explain why the poles are colder.
- The poles are colder than the equator due to the diffused nature of the sunlight reaching them.
- Direct radiation refers to concentrated sunlight, while diffuse radiation refers to spread-out sunlight.
- The control of temperature on Earth is influenced by latitude, with cooler temperatures as we move further north.
- Net radiation is the difference between incoming and outgoing energy, with the equator having a surplus and the poles having a deficit.
- Seasonality refers to the shortening or lengthening of the day and the angle of the sun.
- The equator experiences little to no seasonality, while the poles have extreme seasonality with 24-hour darkness in winter and 24-hour daylight in summer.
- The location of the sub-solar point, where the sun's rays are perpendicular to the surface, determines the sun's declination.
- The tilt of the Earth's axis is the primary reason for the seasons, with summer occurring when the axis is tilted towards the sun and winter when it is tilted away.
- Rotation refers to the Earth spinning on its axis, taking 24 hours for one rotation.
- Revolution refers to the Earth's orbit around the sun, taking 365 and a quarter days.
Temperature Changes in the Atmosphere and the Role of Greenhouse Gases
- Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are efficient at absorbing energy, particularly the energy re-radiated from the Earth.
- Without greenhouse gases, the surface temperature would be much colder.
- The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has steadily increased over the years, with the current level being around 415 parts per million.
- Humans are responsible for the increase in carbon dioxide concentration through activities like burning fossil fuels.
- The increase in carbon dioxide concentration is a result of the industrial revolution and the use of fossil fuels.
- The carbon dioxide concentration fluctuates seasonally, with higher concentrations in the winter and lower concentrations in the summer.
- The temperature in the stratosphere increases due to the presence of ozone, which absorbs ultraviolet light and heats up as a result.
- Ozone in the stratosphere protects life on Earth by blocking harmful ultraviolet light.
- Ozone at the Earth's surface is a pollutant and can cause irritation to the lungs.
- The temperature in the mesosphere decreases as we move away from the surface of the Earth.
- The temperature in the thermosphere increases due to the absorption of energetic particles from the sun, despite the low density of particles in this region.
- There is a difference between temperature and heat, with temperature being the measure of how fast particles are vibrating and heat being the amount of energy present.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the Earth's seasons and how they are determined. Learn about factors such as solar radiation, latitude, seasonality, and the tilt of the Earth's axis. Discover why the poles are colder than the equator and how the location of the sun's rays affects the seasons. Challenge yourself with questions on rotation, revolution, and the control of temperature on our planet.
