Weather and Climate

weather,
meteorology; climate, climatology

Atmosphere-
composition: N, O, Ar, CO2, H2O, O3, aerosols, pollutants, water
layers (fig. 4.2), troposphere, stratosphere, ozone layer,

Controlling Factors on weather:
latitude, insolation, angle, number of hours, tropics, mid-latitude, polar; continentality; ocean currents; altitude; landscape; human factors

Atmospheric temperature -
electromagnetic radiation, wavelength variations, ROYGBIV, differences in Sun and Earth emissions; heat transfer, radiation, conduction, convection, advection, latent heat of condensation; daily march of temperature, albedo, cloud cover, horizontal air movements, continentality, seasons, vertical variations in temperature, normal lapse rate


What is the difference between weather and climate? Explain the factors which control the weather.

What is the composition of the atmosphere? Describe its structure (layers).

Describe the factors that control the temperature and weather of a given location

How do pressure and temperature vary vertically in the lower part of the atmosphere (troposphere)?

Describe the electromagnetic spectrum and its variations in wavelength. How is wavelength related to temperature and amount of energy carried. What wavelength does the sun emit? What wavelength does the Earth emit. Why are they different?

Compare and contrast the different mechanisms for transferring heat in the atmosphere (conduction, convection, advection, radiation). Which are most important in Earth's atmosphere?

Explain what wavelengths are absorbed by greenhouse gases and the source of these wavelengths. Explain what wavelengths are absorbed by ozone and the source of these waves. Why do these different systems both contribute to global warming?


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