Biomes Week 5

Incoming solar radiation, which is the main source of energy on Earth

The percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface

A layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of Earth, extending up to approximately 16km (10 miles)

The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, extending roughly 16 to 50km (10-31 miles) above the surface of Earth

A pale blue gas composed of molecules made up of three oxygen atoms (O3)

The layer of the atmosphere above the stratosphere, extending roughly 50 to 85 km (31-53 miles)

The layer of the atmosphere above the mesosphere, extending 85 to 600 km (53 - 375 miles) above the surface of Earth

The outermost layer of the atmosphere, which extends from 600 to 1,000 km (375 - 6,200 miles) above the surface of Earth

The maximum amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature

The cooling effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands

The heating effect of increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of Earth and decreases in volume

The release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water

Global patterns of air movement that are initiated by the unequal heating of Earth

A convection current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator and 30 oN and 30 oS

The latitude that receives the most intense sunlight, which causes the ascending branches of the two Hadley cells to converge

A convection current in the atmosphere, formed by air that rises at 60oN and 60oS and sinks at the poles, 90oN and 90oS

A convection current in the atmosphere that lies between Hadley cells and polar cells

The deflection of an object’s path due to the rotation of the Earth

A large-scale pattern fo water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere

The upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents

An oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water

A region with dry conditions found on the leeward side of a mountain range as a result of humid winds from the ocean causing precipitation on the windward side

A reversal of wind and water currents in the South Pacific

Following an El Nino event, trade winds in the South Pacific reverse strongly, causing regions that were hot and dry to become cooler and wetter