Weather

• What is the primary reason the equator receives the most concentrated solar radiation?

  Because the sun's rays hit the equator at right angles
• What happens to air when it is heated?

  It rises, creating low pressure that allows clouds and precipitation to form
• What is the result of air cooling down and sinking?

  It creates high pressure, resulting in a dry climate
• What type of climate is created between two Hadley cells?

  Low pressure, creating rainforests like the Amazon
• What type of climate is found between the Hadley and Ferrel cells?

  High pressure, creating deserts like the Sahara and Namib
• What is the Coriolis effect?

  It causes air to appear to travel in a curve due to the Earth's rotation
• Where do jet streams form?

  At the boundaries of circulation cells where there is a significant temperature difference
• What drives surface ocean currents?

  Movement of wind across the top of the water
• What causes deep ocean currents?

  Sinking and rising of water due to temperature changes
• What does the Gulf Stream do?

  Redistributes warm water from the Caribbean Sea to the UK
• What happens to water warmed at the equator?

  It becomes less salty and dense, rises, and travels north
• What occurs when water reaches the poles?

  It becomes colder, denser, sinks, and returns to the equator
• How could global warming affect ocean currents?

  Increased rainfall in the North Atlantic could melt glaciers, making water less salty and preventing it from sinking
• What is solar variation?

  The changes in the amount of radiation the sun produces over time
• How does volcanism contribute to climate change?

  Large eruptions eject ash that partially blocks solar radiation, reducing temperatures
• What is the impact of surface impacts like asteroids on climate?

  They can eject dust into the atmosphere, blocking solar radiation and causing glacial periods
• What is eccentricity in the context of Milankovitch cycles?

  The change in Earth's orbit every 100,000 years from more circular to more elliptical
• How does axial tilt affect climate?

  It changes the angle of Earth's tilt every 40,000 years, affecting glacial and interglacial periods
• What is procession in relation to Earth's climate cycles?

  It is the wobble of Earth on its axis, changing the direction the axis faces every 24,000 years
• What do growth rings in trees indicate?

  Wider rings indicate a warm and wet climate, while thin rings indicate a cold and dry climate
• How do ice cores provide evidence of climate change?

  They contain layers that can show past climates through trapped gases and particles
• What does pollen analysis reveal about past climates?

  Pollen shape and structure can indicate which plants were present during that time
• What are the limitations of historical documents as evidence of climate change?

  They may be inaccurate or exaggerated
• What is the greenhouse effect?

  It is the trapping of outgoing heat radiation by greenhouse gases, warming the Earth's atmosphere
• How does industry contribute to climate change?

  Increased production leads to more fossil fuels being burned
• What role does transport play in climate change?

  More affordable cars and flights lead to increased fossil fuel use
• How does energy demand contribute to climate change?

  Growing demand for electricity leads to more fossil fuels being burned
• How does farming contribute to climate change?

  Intensive farming and mechanization increase fossil fuel use and methane emissions
• What is a potential impact of climate change on food production?

  Decreased sunlight levels could lower crop yields and increase malnutrition risk
• How does climate change affect sea levels?

  Melting ice and thermal expansion will lead to rising sea levels
• What are the consequences of retreating glaciers and melting ice sheets?

  They can lead to flooding and water shortages in local areas
• What type of climate does the UK have?

  Temperate climate
• What was the Medieval Warm Period?

  A time from 950-1100 when temperatures were high enough to support grapevine growth in northern areas
• What was the Little Ice Age?

  A period from 1600-1850 when the River Thames froze and caused widespread crop failures
• How does maritime influence affect the UK's climate?

  Being surrounded by sea results in consistent rainfall throughout the year
• What is the prevailing wind direction in the UK?

  From the southwest
• How does the North Atlantic Drift affect the UK's climate?

  It brings warm ocean water north, making winters milder
• What are circulation cells and their significance for the UK?

  The UK is located near the boundary between Northern Ferrel and Polar circulation cells, where warm and cool air meet
• How does altitude affect temperature in the UK?

  Temperature decreases by 1 degree for every 100m increase in altitude
• What are the components of a tropical cyclone?

  Eye, eye wall, and high-density cloud