Science 9 Review for the Climate Change

Science 9 Review for the Climate Change

1. The surface features of the earth are called _______. topography

n The process by which carbon moves from sphere to sphere. Carbon cycle

n Areas that absorb and store carbon (when carbon is not moving through the cycle) Carbon sink

n Carbon containing materials that formed over millions of years through the decay, burial, and compaction from rotting vegetation on land at the sea floor. Fossil fuels

One of the GHG’s that is commonly found in fertilizer Nitrous oxide

n Heavy colorless gas that is formed especially in animal respiration (exhaling), burning of trees, or decay of vegetation. Carbon dioxide

n The long term removal of trees from an area because of changes in land use. deforestation

n The study of ancient climates through ice cores, tree rings and pollen. paleoclimatology

The average weather for a particular region over time. climate

n A system that does not allow for the exchange of matter between boundaries. Closed system

Layer of permanently frozen ground permafrost

n A gas that is produced by organic matter decomposing in an environment w/o oxygen. ( cows give off this gas) methane

n The effect produced by GHG’s allowing solar energy to pass through the earth’s atmosphere, but preventing it from escaping. Green House Effect

A FRACTION OF THE SOLAR ENERGY REFLECTED FROM THE EARTH SURFACE BACK INTO SPACE IS CALLED_______. ALBEDO

n A chemical compound found in aerosol cans that causes a depletion of the ozone layer. CFC’s

n Trees and plants commonly absorb _______ from the atmosphere in a process called ________. Carbon dioxide, photosynthesis

n The _____ is a layer of gases that surround the earth like a blanket. atmosphere

n List the three major carbon sinks: Ocean, soil, forest and vegetation

n _____ is the GHG that is most damaging to the ozone layer CFC

n WHAT WAS DEVELOPED TO REPLACE CFC’s? HFC’S

Gases in the atmosphere that prevent incoming solar radiation from escaping n back into outer space. n GHG’s

n How do volcanos impact the atmosphere and climate? Dust and gas thrown into air. This dust blocks the sun’s rays.

Do the number of clouds effect the atmospheric Albedo? How? Yes. More clouds = more reflection which means less of the sun’s rays reach earth

n How does an increase in water vapor effect the atmospheric albedo? Increased water vapor = increased clouds = more reflection

n How does an melting ice and snow effect the surface albedo? Melting snow means less reflection of the sun’s rays. (Earth absorbs sun rays. )

n What are 3 external forces that effect climate? Shape of earth’s orbit, tilt of axis, and wobble

n How do the continental movements cause climate change? Suns rays hit continent at a different angle, therefore, changing climate by more or less suns rays hitting. Changes flow of ocean currents.

n What are the names of the earth’s four main subsystems? (spheres) Biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere

n Methane is present in much lower levels than carbon dioxide. Why is it such a concern? It traps 20 more times heat than carbon

n Fertilizers and manure produce what type of GHG? Nitrous Oxide

n Earth’s rotation makes winds seem to curve. This is known as the _______. Coriolis Effect

n What is the purpose of the GHG’s? Keep the temperature on earth balanced.

n Are GHG’s bad? No. Too many are accumulating in our atmosphere.

n Is carbon dioxide increasing, decreasing or stable on earth? Stable. It is being moved from one sphere to another. Too much is in atmosphere.