EES Standard 2.5 Review

EES - Standard 2.5 Review

Review!

The following questions will review your knowledge of Unit 2.5.

Draw

Draw the 4 layers of the atmosphere IN ORDER.

Match

Match the following elements with their correct percentages.

• Nitrogen

• Oxygen

• Argon/Trace Elements

78%

21%

1%

• 78%

• 21%

• 1%

Air Pressure and Wind

Air pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the air above it. The pressure is exerted in all directions, which prevents the air from crushing you. Isobars are lines of equal pressure, with closer isobars indicating more change. Wind is caused by differences in air pressure, with greater pressure differences resulting in higher wind speeds. Pressure differences can be observed by looking at the spacing of isobars, with close isobars indicating high winds and widely spaced isobars indicating low winds.

Multiple Choice

What causes wind?

• Differences in air temperature

• Differences in air density

• Differences in air humidity

• Differences in air pressure

Hotspot

Which location would have winder conditions?

Wind is caused by differences in air pressure

Trivia: Wind is the movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. It is influenced by various factors such as temperature, humidity, and density. Wind plays a crucial role in shaping weather patterns and distributing heat around the Earth.

Fun Fact: The strongest wind ever recorded on Earth was 231 miles per hour during a tropical cyclone in 1934.

Coriolis Effect: Wind Direction

Trivia: In the Northern Hemisphere, wind is deflected to the left due to the Coriolis Effect. This phenomenon is caused by the rotation of the Earth. The Coriolis Effect also influences the direction of ocean currents and the rotation of hurricanes.

Multiple Choice

Which direction does wind blow in the Northern Hemisphere due to the Coriolis Effect?

• Right

• Left

• Up

• Down

Air Masses and Weather Systems

Air masses are large masses of air that move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. They are classified based on moisture and temperature. Continental Polar (cP) air masses are dry and cold, Maritime Tropical (mT) air masses are moist and warm, and Continental Arctic (cA) air masses are dry and extremely cold. Fronts, which are boundaries between different air masses, play a key role in the formation of weather systems.

Air Masses

Trivia: Air masses are classified based on temperature and moisture. They can be warm or cold, and dry or moist. These air masses play a crucial role in shaping weather patterns around the world. Understanding their characteristics helps meteorologists predict weather conditions with greater accuracy.

The Power of Air

Warm front: warm air slowly moves into an area covered by cooler air

Cold front: cold, dense air quickly moves into an area occupied by warm air

Stationary front: moving parallel with mild precipitation

Occluded front: active cold front overtakes a warm front, causing heavy rain

Multiple Choice

What is an occluded front?

• A front where warm air slowly moves into an area covered by cooler air

• A front where cold, dense air quickly moves into an area occupied by warm air

• A front that is moving parallel with mild precipitation

• A front where an active cold front overtakes a warm front, causing heavy rain

Types of Air Pollution

Primary pollutants are directly released into the atmosphere. Examples include Sulfur Oxides from volcanoes and factories, which can cause acid rain, Nitrogen Oxides from thunderstorms and combustion engines, which are toxic, and Carbon Oxides from volcanoes.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a primary pollutant?

• Sulfur Oxides

• Carbon Dioxide

• Ozone

• Methane

Primary Pollutant:

Sulfur Oxides are primary pollutants that are released directly into the atmosphere. They are mainly produced by burning fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. Sulfur oxides contribute to acid rain, respiratory problems, and damage to plants and buildings. Other primary pollutants include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.

Acid Rain

Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction of primary pollutants. It has a lower pH value compared to normal rain, which is around 5. Acid rain is a problem downwind of coal-burning plants and can have various impacts on the environment.

Multiple Choice

What is the cause of acid rain?

• Chemical reaction of primary pollutants

• Burning of fossil fuels

• Excessive use of pesticides

• Industrial waste disposal

Acid Rain

Burning of fossil fuels is the main cause of acid rain. When fossil fuels are burned, they release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. These pollutants then react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which fall back to the Earth as acid rain. Acid rain can have harmful effects on the environment, including damaging forests, lakes, and buildings.

Impacts of Acid Rain

1. Acid rain leads to soil acidification, water source acidification, and corrosion of structures.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of acid rain?

• Soil acidification

• Water source acidification

• Corrosion of structures

• Ozone holes

Acid Rain

Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. This leads to soil and water source acidification, as well as corrosion of structures. However, acid rain does not cause ozone holes.

Ozone Holes

1. Ozone holes are caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and melting ice crystals in the Arctic.
2. Ozone is crucial as it acts as our 'sunscreen' protecting against UV radiation damage, which can cause cancer and cataracts.
IMPORTANT! Hole in the ozone does not contribute to global warming!

Open Ended

What was the primary anthropogenic (human made) cause of the Ozone Hole?

Montreal Protocol:

An agreement to reduce the use of harmful substances that contribute to global warming. It was signed in 1987 and has been ratified by 197 countries. The protocol has successfully phased out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances, protecting the ozone layer and mitigating climate change. It is considered one of the most successful environmental treaties in history.

Multiple Choice

What is the Montreal Protocol?

• An agreement to reduce the use of harmful substances that contribute to global warming

• A treaty to increase the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

• A plan to increase CO2 emissions

• A model for global climate change