True or false?
The atmosphere operates as a global system, transferring heat and energy.
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True or false?
The atmosphere operates as a global system, transferring heat and energy.
True.
The atmosphere does operate as a global heat and energy transfer system.
Define the term insolation.
Insolation is defined as incoming solar radiation.
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is what you get locally on a day-to-day basis, but climate is what you expect a place to be over time (usually 30 years).
Name the three major atmospheric circulation cells?
The three major atmospheric circulation cells are the Hadley cell, the Ferrel cell, and the Polar cell.
What weather conditions do you get with low-pressure systems?
Low-pressure areas experience thick, heavy cloud cover and heavy rainfall.
True or false?
The equator receives the least amount of energy from the sun.
False.
The Earth is a sphere with a permanent tilt and a slight bulge at its equator. This means the equator gains solar energy, but the poles have a deficit of solar energy.
How is heat redistributed around the world?
Heat is re-distributed around the world by two main methods: circulation cells and ocean currents.
What is the Coriolis effect?
The Coriolis effect is the appearance that global winds and ocean currents curve as they move.
Name the three wind belts that form in each hemisphere.
The three wind belts that form in each hemisphere are the trade winds, the westerlies and the easterlies.
True or false?
Global atmospheric circulation affects the Earth's climate.
True.
It causes some areas to have certain types of weather more frequently than others. The UK has a lot of low-pressure weather systems because the south-westerly winds bring wet and windy weather.
Define the term prevailing winds.
Prevailing winds refer to the direction that the wind blows from. The UK has a south-westerly prevailing wind, as this is the direction it most frequently comes from.
What two types of weather does the Hadley cell form?
The Hadley cell forms tropical rainstorms at the equator and dry, cloudless air in the subtropical regions.
Define climate change.
Climate change is a large-scale, long-term change in average temperatures and weather patterns.
Define the term interglacial period.
An interglacial is a period of time between ice ages. Currently, Earth is going through a warm interglacial period.
When did the last ice age end?
The last ice age ended about 25 000 years ago.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect allows thermal radiation from the sun to reach the Earth's surface, but greenhouse gases absorb and trap some of the heat, maintaining the Earth's average temperature.
What are some causes of natural climate change?
Causes of natural climate change include:
Milankovitch cycles (changes in Earth's orbit and tilt)
Volcanic eruptions
Variations in solar activity.
Name three natural greenhouse gases.
Three natural greenhouse gases are methane, carbon dioxide and water vapour. There is also nitrous oxide
How do ice cores provide evidence of natural climate change?
Ice cores hold trapped ash, air bubbles and microbes. The air bubbles contain CO2 and show past temperatures.
Why are paintings, books, newspapers, etc. subjective in providing evidence of past climates?
Paintings, books, newspapers, etc. are subjective in providing evidence of past climates because they are one person's opinion and may not be accurate.
What is dendrochronology?
Dendrochronology is the study of tree rings.
How can dendrochronology inform scientists of what our past climates have been?
The study of tree rings (dendrochronology) shows good and poor growing climates. Trees have thicker rings in warm and wetter climates and narrow and closely packed rings in colder periods.
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
The enhanced greenhouse effect refers to increased amounts of key greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from human activity, trapping more heat and leading to higher global temperatures.
What are some sources of greenhouse gas emissions?
Sources include burning fossil fuels, agriculture, deforestation, and industrial processes.
Name the main greenhouse gas that has increased through human activity in the atmosphere.
The main greenhouse gas that has increased in the atmosphere through human activity is carbon dioxide (CO2) by more than 100 parts per million to 422 ppm in 2023.
Other than carbon dioxide (CO2), what other greenhouse gases have increased?
Methane, nitrous oxide and fluorocarbons (HFCs and CFCs) have also increased due to human activity.
What human activities increase methane emissions?
Decay of organic matter like manure and waste in landfills, as well as agriculture activities like cattle and rice farming, increase methane.
True or false?
Fluorocarbons like CFCs and HFCs are natural.
False.
Fluorocarbons like CFCs and HFCs are man-made greenhouse gases.
What was the main source of CFC emissions?
CFCs were used as refrigerants and propellants in aerosols until they were banned in the 1990s for damaging the ozone layer.
True or false?
Fossil fuels account for 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
False.
Fossil fuels account for almost 50% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
What effect will climate change have on biodiversity?
Biodiversity will be reduced due to climate change.
What areas are most at risk from rising sea levels?
Low-lying coastal areas, islands, beaches and coastal ecosystems like coral reefs and mangroves are at higher risk of flooding.
True or false?
The frequency of extreme weather events has decreased since the 1980s.
False.
The frequency of extreme weather events like floods, storms and extreme temperatures has increased since the 1980s.
Define the term climate change.
Climate change is large-scale, long-term shift in the Earth's average temperatures and weather patterns
True or false?
Wildlife hibernation times have lengthened due to climate change.
False.
The hibernation time of wildlife has decreased due to warmer winters.
What impact are changing temperatures having on crops?
Crops are estimated to be reduced by over 20% as temperatures increase.
How are glaciers being affected by climate change?
Most glaciers around the world have shrunk, threatening water supplies for millions of people.
Define the term temperate climate.
A temperate climate is one that has no extreme seasonal temperature variations.
How has the climate of the UK fluctuated over the last 1,000 years?
The climate of the UK has fluctuated between cold and warm over the last 1,000 years.
During the Medieval Warm Period, how was the UK's climate compared to now?
During the Medieval Warm Period, the UK's climate was warmer than now.
How did climate change impact England during the Little Ice Age?
The impact of climate change in England during the Little Ice Age was that:
Crops failed
Animals died
Temperatures decreased by 2°C
What caused the cold winters and freezing coastal seas in the Little Ice Age?
Increased volcanic activity and decreased solar radiation caused the cold winters and freezing coastal seas in the Little Ice Age.
When did the Thames river freeze over for the last time?
1895 was the last time the Thames River froze over.
What type of climate does the UK have?
The UK has a temperate climate, with mild seasons, cool, wet winters, and warm, wet summers.
What direction is the UK's prevailing wind?
The UK's prevailing wind is south-west.
What effect does the North Atlantic Drift have on the west coast of the UK?
The effect of the North Atlantic Drift on the west coast of the UK is that it keeps it warmer than other regions of the country.
What are the five air masses that affect the UK's weather?
The five air masses of the UK are:
Polar Maritime
Arctic Maritime
Polar Continental
Tropical Continental
Tropical Maritime