Definitions

• System


  The object or objects being studied within a boundary
• Surroundings


  Everything other than the system
• Open System


  • Allows exchange of matter
• Closed System


  • Does not allow exchange of matter
• Biosphere


  Composed of all living things on Earth and the physical environment that supports them
• Components of the Biosphere

  • Atmosphere
  • Lithosphere
  • Hydrosphere
• Atmosphere


  Layer of gases that surround the Earth
• Composition of the Atmosphere

  • Nitrogen 78%
  • Oxygen 21%
  • Other gases 1%
• The atmosphere also contains varying amounts of suspended particle matter called atmospheric dust, including non-living particles like soot and living particles like pollen
• Greenhouse Gases


  • Water vapour
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2)
  • Methane (CH4)
  • Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
  • Ozone
  • Halocarbons (CFC)
• Greenhouse Gases


  Absorb infrared radiation and transmit it back to Earth's surface, warming the surface and atmosphere
• Greenhouse Effect


  The atmosphere heating up more than it would if these greenhouse gases were not present
• Mechanisms of Energy Transfer

  • Conduction
  • Convection
  • Radiation
• Global heat imbalance is due to the tilt and curvature of the Earth, and is responsible for weather and climate
• Ocean currents and air currents re-distribute heat across the Earth's surface
• Jet Stream


  Currents of extremely fast moving air located about 10-15 km above the Earth's surface, flowing from West to East and influencing precipitation and thunderstorms
• Coriolis Effect


  The deflection of air masses and ocean currents due to the rotation of the Earth
• El Niño


  A climate pattern where sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean rise to above normal levels for an extended period of time
• La Niña


  The opposite of El Niño, where sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific drop to lower-than-normal levels
• Oceans


  • Have a low albedo and absorb up to 90% of solar energy, distributing the energy throughout the depth of the ocean via mixing
• Over 70% of the planet is covered by oceans
• Orographic Precipitation


  Precipitation that occurs when warm, moist air rises against mountains and condenses
• Rain Shadow


  The region that receives less rain under orographic precipitation conditions
• Sea Breeze


  Warm air that blows from the land to the sea during the day as the land warms faster than the water
• Land Breeze


  Warm air that blows from the sea towards the land at night as the water cools more slowly than the land