Introduction to Weather and Climate Questions

1)   What warms the planet?

Decay of radioactive isotopes provides about half of the Earth’s heat and the rays from the sun.

2)   Referring to this diagram explain why the equatorial regions receive more radiation and therefore are warmer than Polar Regions.

This diagram shows the polar region gets more direct sunlight then the Polar Regions. Which will make the Polar Regions more colder.

3) Define Albedo. Which would absorb more radiation a snow covered

mountain or a black roof?

Albedo is the proportion of the incident light or radiation that is reflected by a surface, typically that of a planet. A black roof absorbs more radiation than a snow-covered mountain.

4) Explain lapse rate. 

Lapse rate is the rate at which air temperature falls with increasing altitude. n the lower regions of the atmosphere (up to altitudes of approximately 12,000 metres (39,000 ft), temperature decreases with altitude at a fairly uniform rate. Because the atmosphere is warmed by convection from Earth's surface, this lapse or reduction in temperature is normal with increasing distance from the conductive source.

5) Explain Aspect. In the Northern Hemisphere will plants grow better on the north or the south side facing side of a mountain?

aspect is the compass direction that a slope faces.

6) Why do we have seasons?

The reason we have seasons is because the earth is on a slant. As it makes around the yearly journey the earth is on a slant. The areas that get more sunlight are mostly in the summer season and vise versa.

7) Which heats up faster: Land or Water?

A land surface will heat up more quickly, because the heat gets absorbed in the surface, and to a much higher temperature than the open ocean will. Shallow ocean or lake waters will warm more rapidly and to higher temperatures than deep waters, because shallow water has less mass to heat up.

8) Describe the impact that being far away from water has on the climate of the prairies

The climate is a lot drier and it shows through plants. Certain plants cannot be grown in the prairies because the climate is to dry.

9) Explain the impact of the Gulf Stream on Norway.

The Gulf Stream on Norway has strong winds, which keeps ice and snow away. Even though Norway is close to the artic there’s less snow because of the wind.

10) What current runs past BC?

The Alaska current runs past B.C.

11) Describe the impact of adding extra carbon dioxide to the atmosphere on the temperatures of Earth.

By adding more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere it would cause the Earth to heat up more.

12) Describe convection.  THIS IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE COURSE

Convection is the movement in gas or liquid in which the warmer parts move up and the colder parts go down. Meaning dense materials rise and denser materials drown under the influence of gravity. Which results in heat.

13) What is wind?

Wind is the perceptible natural movement o air. It can come in a form of a current from air blowing from a particular direction.

14) Explain urban heat islands, and explain why they occur.

An urban heat island is a metropolitan area that is significantly warmer that the other areas within the surroundings. It usually happens from human activities.