Chapter 24.1-3 Study Guide
Ch. 24.1: The Atmosphere
Vocabulary
Atmosphere
Air pressure
Stratosphere
Ozone layer
Barometer
Mesosphere
Troposphere
Thermosphere
Weather
Ionosphere
Aurora
Concepts
 Describe 3 benefits our atmosphere provides.
 Give the % break down of gases in our atmosphere
 How do temperature and air pressure change as you increase you altitude?
 Label a diagram with the correct layers of the atmosphere.
 How does the temperature change in each layer? Why?
 Which layer contains most of the mass of the atmosphere?
 Which layer has weather?
 Which layer features ozone?
 What is ozone? What benefit does it provide for living organisms? What is responsible
for the ozone hole? Why is the hole in the ozone hole a concern?
 Which layer is noted for incredible wind speeds?
 Which layer do meteorites burn up in?
 What is the ionosphere? Where is it located? How does it help radio signals?
 What is the aurora? What causes the aurora?
Chapter 24.2: The Sun and Seasons
Vocabulary
Tropic zone
Temperate zone Polar zones
Rotation
Revolution
Tropic of
Cancer
Solstice
Tropic of
Capricorn
Equinox
Concepts
 Compare Earth’s rotation to revolution?
 Locate the tropic , temperate, and polar zones
 Which zone(s) experience 4 seasons?
 What causes seasons?
 Identify the season from a diagram of Earth and the sun.
 Where are the sun’s most intense (perpendicular) rays hitting on: summer solstice, winter
solstice, vernal equinox, and autumnal equinox? What are the calendar dates for each?
Which direction do the perpendicular rays move during each season?
 Why are seasons the opposite for the northern and summer hemispheres?
 Why don’t the tropics experience seasons?
 Describe the changing pattern of solar radiation for each season.
 How would temperatures be different if Earth was NOT tilted?
Chapter 24.3: Earth’s Energy Budget & Winds
Vocabulary
Radiation
Albedo
Air Pressure
Conduction
Greenhouse Gases
Wind
Convection
Feedback Loop
Monsoon wind
Global winds
Jet stream
Coriolis Effect
Concepts
Earth’s Energy Budget
 Identify energy INPUTS in Earth’s energy budget. What wavelengths are absorbed by
Earth?
 What % of energy from the sun gets REFLECTED back to space?
 What surfaces cause more solar energy to be reflected and Earth to cool?
 How can changing surfaces (and albedo) trigger a global warming or cooling episode?
 Identify energy OUTPUTS in Earth’s energy budget. What wavelength is radiated from
Earth to space?
 How do greenhouse gases affect Earth’s energy output? How does this affect climate?
 Give 3 examples of a greenhouse gas.
Heating Up the Atmosphere
 Identify the 3 ways that heat is distributed in the atmosphere. Give examples of each.
o Radiation; Conduction; Convection
 Contrast properties of warm and cool air in terms of:
o Density, Pressure, Kinetic Energy, Room for moisture, Rising/Sinking
Wind
 Predict the direction of wind based on temperature differences.
 Compare a landbreeze to a seabreeze
 Explain WHY winds switch directions from day to night at the beach or during summer
and winter for monsoon winds.
 Explain why monsoon winds reverse directions in summer and winter. How does this
affect the amount of rain?
 Label global winds.
 What is the coriolis effect and how does it influence global winds?
 How do global winds in northern and southern hemisphere compare?
 Map out global convection cells. Where is air rising? Sinking?
 For the equator, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees identify:
o High or Low pressure
o Rising or sinking air
o Wet or dry
 What is the jet stream? How does it influence our weather?