GEOG 160: 1st QUIZ STUDY GUIDE
The Atmosphere
1. Describe the composition of the atmosphere. What are the most abundant
gases? Which gases are considered greenhouse gases?
2. Describe the vertical profile of the atmosphere’s pressure and temperature. Explain
why the stratosphere becomes warmer with height.
3. Explain “good” and “bad” ozone.
Sun-Earth Relationships
1. Explain what causes the seasons. What is perihelion? What is the importance of
the solstices and equinoxes? Where is the noon day sun directly overhead at the
solstices, equinoxes? What regions experience 24-hr. daylight during solstice?
Solar Heating
1. What is the electromagnetic wave spectrum? What is the average wavelength of
solar radiation? Terrestrial radiation?
2. Explain the effects of atmospheric reflection, absorption and scattering on solar
radiation. What is albedo and how does it affect heating? What is the greenhouse
effect of the atmosphere?
3. Why is the sky blue? Clouds white? Sunsets red?
4. Why do land surfaces heat and cool faster than oceans?
5. What is latent and sensible heat? Net radiation?
Temperature
1. Where are the warmest and coldest places on Earth in January and July? Explain the
reasons for these extremes.
2. What are the main climatic controls for temperature?
3. Explain windchill temperatures and the Heat Index. Why do we feel more
uncomfortable on warm, humid days than on warm, dry days?
4. What is hypothermia?
Winds
1. What is the relationship between pressure and winds? How is wind and pressure
measured?
2. What is the pressure gradient force? What is the Coriolis force and how does it vary
with latitudes? How do these 2 forces affect winds? How does friction affect winds?
3. Explain the difference between surface and upper air winds. How do winds flow
around a high pressure and low pressure center in the N. Hemisphere; S.
Hemisphere?
4. Describe global wind patterns-trade winds, easterlies and westerlies. Describe the
Asian monsoons.
5 .Explain the land-sea breeze circulation; mt.-valley winds; Santa Ana winds.
6. What is the jet stream and how does it vary with season?