All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What term describes Earth's spinning on its axis?
Answer: Rotation. One rotation takes 24 hours, creating day and night.
Flashcard 2: Define solar radiation.
Answer: Energy from the Sun in the form of electromagnetic waves. Includes visible light, UV, and infrared radiation.
Flashcard 3: Identify the main factor that causes the seasons.
Answer: Tilt of Earth's rotational axis. Axial tilt creates seasonal solar angle changes.
Flashcard 4: What causes the variation in the intensity of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface?
Answer: Sun angle and atmospheric conditions. Lower angles and more atmosphere reduce intensity.
Flashcard 5: What is the primary source of energy for Earth's climate system?
Answer: The Sun. Solar energy drives all weather, climate, and ocean patterns.
Flashcard 6: Identify the season when the Southern Hemisphere experiences the longest day.
Answer: Summer (around December 21). Summer solstice provides maximum daylight hours.
Flashcard 7: What is the role of clouds in Earth's energy budget?
Answer: Reflect solar radiation and trap heat. Clouds have both cooling and warming effects.
Flashcard 8: When does the vernal equinox occur in the Northern Hemisphere?
Answer: Approximately March 21. Spring equinox marks equal day and night lengths.
Flashcard 9: What happens to solar intensity as latitude increases?
Answer: Solar intensity decreases. Solar angle decreases with distance from equator.
Flashcard 10: What happens to the length of daylight as you move from the equator to the poles?
Answer: Daylight varies more with latitude. Extreme latitudes experience polar day and night.
Flashcard 11: What is the tilt angle of Earth's axis relative to its orbit around the Sun?
Answer: 23.5 degrees. This tilt causes seasonal changes in solar angle.
Flashcard 12: What is the duration of daylight at the equator throughout the year?
Answer: Approximately 12 hours. Equator receives consistent solar radiation year-round.
Flashcard 13: Define the greenhouse effect.
Answer: Trapping of heat in Earth's atmosphere. Gases absorb outgoing radiation, warming atmosphere.
Flashcard 14: What effect does a high albedo have on Earth's surface temperature?
Answer: It reduces surface temperature. High reflection prevents solar energy absorption.
Flashcard 15: How does Earth's atmosphere affect incoming solar radiation?
Answer: Absorbs and scatters radiation. Atmosphere filters and redistributes solar energy.
Flashcard 16: What is the term for the transfer of heat by the mass movement of molecules?
Answer: Convection. Heat transfer through fluid motion in atmosphere.
Flashcard 17: Identify the gases primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect.
Answer: Carbon dioxide and methane. These gases absorb and re-emit longwave radiation.
Flashcard 18: Which process describes the transfer of solar energy to Earth's surface?
Answer: Radiation. Energy travels through space without matter transfer.
Flashcard 19: What is the term for the effect of Earth's rotation on wind direction?
Answer: Coriolis effect. Earth's rotation deflects moving air masses.
Flashcard 20: Identify the date of the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
Answer: Approximately June 21. Northern Hemisphere receives maximum solar energy this day.
Flashcard 21: What effect does Earth's axial tilt have on climate zones?
Answer: Creates distinct climate zones. Different solar angles create temperature gradients.
Flashcard 22: What is albedo?
Answer: The reflectivity of a surface. High albedo reflects more energy, cooling surfaces.
Flashcard 23: What is the significance of the angle of sunlight for climate?
Answer: Affects temperature and climate patterns. Solar angle determines energy concentration and heating.
Flashcard 24: Identify the term for when Earth is farthest from the Sun.
Answer: Aphelion. Occurs around early July each year.
Flashcard 25: Identify the term for when Earth is closest to the Sun.
Answer: Perihelion. Occurs around early January each year.
Flashcard 26: Explain why polar regions receive less solar energy than equatorial regions.
Answer: Lower angle of sunlight incidence. Low angle spreads energy over larger surface area.
Flashcard 27: What is insolation?
Answer: Incoming solar radiation received by Earth. Varies by location, season, and time of day.
Flashcard 28: Identify the factor that contributes to the variation in solar energy received by Earth.
Answer: Earth's axial tilt and orbit shape. Both affect solar angle and distance from Sun.
Flashcard 29: Which layer of Earth's atmosphere absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation?
Answer: Ozone layer. Protects life by filtering harmful UV radiation.
Flashcard 30: Which hemisphere experiences summer during December?
Answer: Southern Hemisphere. Earth's tilt points the Southern Hemisphere toward Sun.