Term
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Definition
force exerted by the weight of overlying air
decreases with altitude
rapidly at first, then more slowly
millibar, pascal, inches of mercury |
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Term
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Definition
solar radiation not evenly distributed over the earth's surface
unequal heating
drives ocean currents
creates winds
heat is transported from the equator to the poles |
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Term
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Definition
defined by dates on which the earth reaches ceratain points in its orbit about the sun
periods of greatest and least insolation are centered about the solstices
warmest and coldest periods do not coincide with the seasons - only match approximately!
earth closest to sun in jan
fathers from sun in july |
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Term
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Definition
heat - form of kinetic energy
extensive - depends on the amount of matter
temperature - measure of the hotness or coldness of an object
measure of average kinetic energy (heat) contained atoms or molecules of an object
intensive - depends on amt. of matter |
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Term
| mechanisms of heat transfer |
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Definition
conduction
convection
radiation |
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Term
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Definition
heat transfer through matter by molecular activity
requires physical contact for flow of heat from region of high temperature to region of low temperature
not particularly important to heat transport in the atmosphere
(air is a poor thermal conductor) |
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Term
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Definition
| transfer of heat by mass movement or fluid flow |
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Term
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Definition
fraction of total radiation reflected by a surface
varies due to thickness of clouds,
particulate matter in the air,
angle of sun's rays to the earth's surface,
nature of surface material |
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Term
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Definition
A black body is a theoretical object that absorbs 100% of the radiation that hits it.
Therefore it reflects no radiation and appears perfectly black. |
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Term
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Definition
incoming radiation (mostly visible light) is absorbed by land and water, and then reradiated as IR radiation
certain gases absorb reradiated IR radiation
causing an increase in the atmospheric temperature |
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Term
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Definition
gases that absorb reradiated IR radiation
CO2
Methane
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Nitrous Oxide
ozone |
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Term
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Definition
| average of maximum and minimum temperature |
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Term
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Definition
| difference between the maximum and minimum temperature |
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Term
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Definition
| average of hthe daily mean temperatures |
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Term
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Definition
| average of the monthly mean temperature over a year |
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Term
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Definition
| difference between he highest and lowest monthly mean temperatures |
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Term
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Definition
variation in sun angle (latitude)
length of day
nature of earth's surface (land or water)
altitude
geographic position
cloud cover
albedo |
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Term
| world distribution of temperature |
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Definition
january - north pole cooler
july south pole cooler, equator warmer |
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Term
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Definition
equinox - time when the vertical rays of the sun are striking the equator.
the length of daylight and darkness is = at all latitudes
solstice - the time when the vertical rays of the sun are striking either the tropic of cancer or the tropic of capricorn.
solstice represents the longest or shortest day of the year |
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Term
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Definition
ability of a body to store heat as it changes in temperature
rate of change of temperature as heat is added to a body at the given conditions and state of the body
expressed in units of joules per kelvin
"extensive quantity" because it is sensitive to the size of the object |
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