Topic 7 - The atmosphere

?
Albedo
A measure of the reflectivity of a surface. More reflective surfaces = higher albedo.
1 of 27
Anthropogenic
Something made or caused by human activities.
2 of 27
CFCs
Chlorofluorocarbons are pollutants that cause ozone depletion and contribute to global climate change.
3 of 27
Chemoautotroph
An organism that gains its metabolic energy using energy from chemical reactions, e.g. nitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle.
4 of 27
Dynamic equilibrium
A combination of active processes that cancel out each other's effect so that there is no overall change.
5 of 27
El Nino
The name given to the reversal of the Pacific Ocean current that normally flows westwards.
6 of 27
Electromagnetic radiation
Energy in the form of energy waves with a range of frequency.
7 of 27
Enhanced greenhouse effect
An alternative name for global climate change.
8 of 27
Global climate change
The various changes to the climate caused by increased energy being retained in the atmosphere as a result of human activities.
9 of 27
Greenhouse effect
The natural processes by which the atmospheric gases allow visible light to pass through but absorb infrared energy, causing heating.
10 of 27
HCFCs
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons are a group of chemicals used to replace CFCs.
11 of 27
HFCs
Hydrofluorocarbons are a group of chemicals used to replace CFCs.
12 of 27
Infiltration
The process by which surface water enters the ground between the particles of soil or rock.
13 of 27
Infrared radiation
Long wavelength electromagnetic radiation emitted from warm objects.
14 of 27
Kyto protocol
The international agreement intended to control emissions of greenhouse gases.
15 of 27
La Nina
The name given to the strengthening of the westward flowing Pacific Ocean.
16 of 27
LEDC
Less Economically Developed Country.
17 of 27
MEDC
More Economically Developed Country.
18 of 27
Montreal protocol
International agreement that has controlled the release of ozone-depleting substances.
19 of 27
Negative feedback mechanism
A situation where an initial change causes a reaction that reduces original change.
20 of 27
Nuclear fusion
The release of energy during the joining of the nuclei of small atoms.
21 of 27
Ozone
Triatomic oxygen.
22 of 27
Positive feedback mechanism
A situation where an initial change causes a reaction that increases the original change.
23 of 27
Stratosphere
The layer of the atmosphere that absorbs the UV and contains the ozone layer. It is above the troposphere at an altitude of approximately six to 30 miles.
24 of 27
Troposphere
The layer of the atmosphere below the stratosphere from ground level to about six miles.
25 of 27
Tropospheric ozone
Ozone in the troposphere, largely produced by human activities.
26 of 27
Ultra violet light
High energy electromagnetic radiation including the short wavelength radiation emitted by the sun. Its energy can cause chemical reactions to take place, such as in the ozone layer or sunburn and DNA damage.
27 of 27

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Something made or caused by human activities.

Back

Anthropogenic

Card 3

Front

Chlorofluorocarbons are pollutants that cause ozone depletion and contribute to global climate change.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

An organism that gains its metabolic energy using energy from chemical reactions, e.g. nitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

A combination of active processes that cancel out each other's effect so that there is no overall change.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Environmental Science/Studies resources:

See all Environmental Science/Studies resources »See all The physical environment resources »