AP Environmental Science

Unit 2 Study Guide

The Atmosphere

I. Composition:
- Seven primary compounds
Nitrogen: 78%; combustion of biomass and denitrification
Oxygen: 21%; produced through photosynthesis
Water Vapor: 0-4%; largest amounts near the equator and bodies of water, lower in polar
and desert regions
Carbon Dioxide: <<1%; produced through respiration and has increased 25% in the last
300 years
Methane: <<1%; increased by 150% since 1750, human activity is responsible for ~400
million tons per year vs 200 million tons produced naturally
Nitrous Oxide: <<1%; caused by burning of fossil fuels and use of fertilizers
Ozone: <<1%; 97% of ozone is in the stratosphere and a slight bit in the troposphere;
produced by UV radiation and lightning

- Layers:
Troposphere: Weather occurs in this layer and it contains 75% of the atmospheres mass;
temperature decreases with altitude
Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer; temperature increases with altitude due to
absorption of heat by ozone
Mesosphere: Meteors are often burnt up in this layer; temperature decreases with altitude
and is the coldest layer (contains ice clouds)
Thermosphere (Ionosphere): temperature increases with height due to gamma rays, x-
rays, and UV radiation. Molecules are converted to ions which causes the aurora borealis
and australias

II. Weather and Climate:

- Weather:
Caused by the movement or transfer of heat energy
1. Radiation
2. Conduction
3. Convection

Contains temperature, air pressure, humidity, precipitation, cloud cover, wind speed, and
wind direction during a specific place and time
- Climate:
Total of all weather occurring over an extended period of time in a specific location
The Earths climate has gone through many cycles of warming and cooling
Factors that influence climate:
- Air Mass
- Air Pressure
- Albedo: reflectivity of light; snow and ice have a high albedo (<1) and asphalt
has low (closer to 0)
- Altitude
- Angle of Sunlight

III. Carbon Cycle:

 AP Environmental Science
Unit 2 Study Guide

The Atmosphere

IV. Nitrogen Cycle:

V. Atmosphere Circulation:
- The sun heats the atmosphere unevenly
- Air closest to the surface is warmest and rises; air at higher elevations is cooler and sinks. This
process is known as convection and is responsible for winds
- Coriolis Effect: effect of Earths rotation based on weather patterns and ocean currents; makes
storms swirl clockwise in the southern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the northern
hemisphere
- Convection Cells:
Hadley Air Circulation Cells:
- Air near the equator rises and spreads out to 30 N and 30 S and circulates back
to the equator
- High humidity, high clouds, heavy rains (tropical rainforests are found in this
range)
-
Ferrel Air Circulation Cells:
- Develop between 30 and 60 north and south latitudes
- This range has a climate of both tropical and polar air masses
- 4 seasons; contains deciduous and coniferous forests

Polar Air Circulation Cells:

- Above 60 N and below 60 S
- Icy cold, dry, dense air that descends from thee troposphere
 AP Environmental Science
Unit 2 Study Guide

The Atmosphere

VI. Air-Related Natural Disasters:

- Hurricanes:
Begin over warm oceans in areas where trade winds converge (hot air and cold air mix)
The Coriolis effect initiates the cyclonic flow
Made from many convective storms
Need a moisture source so they lose energy over land
- Tornadoes:
Swirling masses of air that have a center that has low pressure
Produced from a single storm
- Monsoons:
Strong, violent winds that change direct with the season
Blow from land to sea in the winter and vice versa in the summer
India:
- Indian winters are hot and dry because the Himalayas form a barrier that
prevents cold air from passing onto the subcontinent
- Between June and September, the winds carry moisture from the Indian Ocean
resulting in heavy rains
- Farmers rely on the rain for irrigation and is also used for hydroelectricity

VII. Rain Shadow Effect:

- Rain Shadow: dry area on the mountainside facing away from the direction of the wind
- The mountains block the passage of rain producing weather systems casting a shadow of
dryness behind the mountain

VIII. El Nino and La Nina

- Normal State:
Easterly trade winds move water and air toward the west
 AP Environmental Science
Unit 2 Study Guide

The Atmosphere

Ocean is around 60 cm higher and 14F warmer

- El Nino: trade winds in the south Pacific decrease in strength (and even reverse direction)
resulting in upwelling of deep nutrient rich water that can kill surface dwelling organisms
Rainfall is more common in the central Pacific while the Western Pacific becomes
relatively dry
Higher sea levels

- La Nina: trade winds that blow west across the tropical Pacific are stronger than usual and create
cooler sea surface temperatures
Cold ocean temperatures
More hurricanes and stronger monsoons