Global Systems Quiz #1

Specific atmospheric conditions at a given location Eg. Temp, air pressure, cloud cover, humidity, precipitation

Average weather that occurs in an area over a period of time

Reports interpretations from people about events that occur

Data collected by scientists, interpretation of data of general trends NOT individual events

Thin layer around the earth that supports life Composed of the: 1. Atmosphere 2. Hydrosphere 3. Lithosphere

• All of the gases surrounding the earth 500 km thick • Composed of 78% nitrogen (plant growth) & 21% oxygen (need by organisms) • Contains some atmospheric dust • allows essential rays to penetrate but filters most lethal radiation • absorbs some sun energy Composed of 4 layers: • Troposphere • Stratosphere • Mesosphere • Thermosphere

• Where ozone (O3) is found • absorbs UV radiation from sun (O3 + UV Radiation –> O2 + O) • increased levels of UV radiation at ground level causes: crop damage, cataracts, increased cases of skin cancer • Reasons for depletion: man-made chemicals, natural cycles

Region in the ozone layer that has thinned -holes been identified over Antarctica & Canadian arctic

• All land on Earth & 100 km below • run under continents & oceans • warmed by the sun & molten material in Earth’s mantle

• All water on Earth • covers 70% of Earth • 97% salt water • 3% fresh (glaciers, lakes, streams) • Includes water vapors in atmosphere