Weather and Earth Systems Overview

Weather and Earth Systems

• Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a specific place and time, characterized by temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, and cloud cover.
• Regions of the Earth: The Earth's surface is divided into different regions based on climate, including tropical, temperate, and polar regions. Variations in latitude, and proximity to bodies of water greatly influence these regions.
• Earth's Layers: The Earth's interior consists of the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core, each with distinct properties. These layers interact in various ways.
• Albedo: The reflectivity of a surface. A high albedo means a surface reflects more solar radiation, while a low albedo means it absorbs more. Different surfaces, like snow and forests, have different albedos.
• Heat: Energy transferred from one object to another due to a difference in temperature. Heat transfer mechanisms include conduction, convection, and radiation.
• Greenhouse Effect: A natural process where certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat, warming the planet. This is crucial for maintaining temperatures suitable for life.
• Climate Change: Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, often caused by human activity. This includes global warming.
• André Robert: (Likely a person associated with the topic of weather, climate or meteorology) Further context needed.
• Heat Sink/Capacity/Source: A heat sink absorbs heat, heat capacity measures how much heat it takes to raise an object's temperature, and a heat source emits heat.
• Deep Ocean Currents: Large-scale movements of ocean water driven by differences in temperature and salinity. These currents significantly influence global weather patterns.
• Weather Cycle: The recurring series of weather events. This cycle involves various atmospheric processes and interactions.
• Global Wind Systems: Extensive patterns of air circulation around the Earth, driven by unequal heating of the planet. These patterns influence weather systems and local temperatures.
• Weather Measurement Devices: Instruments like thermometers, barometers, wind vanes, and rain gauges are used to collect weather data.
• Land and Sea Breezes: Local winds caused by temperature differences between land and sea. These are daily cycles driven by the Sun's warming of different surfaces.