1. Atmosphere
1.1. Gas Composition
1.1.1. Gas composition Nitrogen 78% Oxygen 21% Argon .9% Carbon dioxide .03%
1.2. Layers of the atmosphere
1.2.1. Troposphere A layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of Earth, extending up to approximately 16 km (10 miles).
1.2.1.1. Global wind patterns
1.2.1.1.1. Hadley cell: A convection current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator and 30° N and 30° S
1.2.1.1.2. Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ): The latitude that receives the most intense sunlight, which causes the ascending branches of the two Hadley cells to converge.
1.2.1.1.3. Polar cell: A convection current in the atmosphere, formed by air that rises at 60° N and 60° S and sinks at the poles, 90° N and 90° S.
1.2.1.1.4. Ferrell cell: A convection current in the atmosphere that lies between Hadley cells and polar cells.
1.2.1.1.5. Coriolis effect: The deflection of an object’s path due to the rotation of Earth.
1.2.1.2. Precipitation water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth as rain, sleet , or snow
1.2.1.2.1. Rain shadows: a region with dry conditions found on the leeward side of a mountain range as a result of humid winds from the ocean causing precipitation on the windward side
1.2.2. Stratosphere The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, extending roughly 16 to 50 km (10–31 miles) above the surface of Earth.
1.2.3. Mesosphere Coldest layer and meteors burn up in this layer
1.2.4. Thermosphere This layer has very high temperatures, Lowest air pressure-air very thin
1.2.5. Exosphere The outermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere.
1.3. Solar Radiation
1.3.1. Solar radiation transmission of energy from the sun in the form of electromagnetic waves.
1.3.1.1. Insolation the delivery rate of solar radiation per unit of horizontal surface
1.3.1.2. Insolation the delivery rate of solar radiation per unit of horizontal surface
1.3.1.3. Intensity the amount of energy in a light or sound wave, which we perceive as brightness or loudness, as determined by the wave's amplitude
1.3.1.4. Solstices the points at which the sun is as far north or as far south of the equator as possible
2. Seasons
2.1. Seasons each of the four divisions of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) marked by particular weather patterns and daylight hours, resulting from the earth's changing position with regard to the sun.
3. Surface
3.1. Water
3.1.1. Watershed
3.1.1.1. A watershed is a land that water flows across, or through, on its way to a stream, lake, wetland, or other body of water.
3.1.1.1.1. provide food and shelter for wildlife and fish and nesting and resting areas for migratory birds.
3.1.2. Ocean temperature: this factor is affected by the amount of solar energy an area receives and by the movement of water
3.1.2.1. El Niño and La Niña
3.1.2.1.1. El Nino Unusually warm water temps in the pacific caused by a weak or reversed direction trade winds
3.1.2.1.2. La Niña Unusually cold water temps in the pacific caused by strong easterly winds
3.2. Land
3.2.1. Soil: the relatively thin surface layer of the Earth's crust consisting of mineral and organic matter modified by the natural actions of agents such as weather, wind, water, and organisms
3.2.1.1. Formation
3.2.1.1.1. From below: breakdown of rocks and primary minerals by weathering
3.2.1.1.2. Form above: deposition of organic matter form organisms and their wastes
3.2.1.2. The texture of soil is based on percentage of sand, silt, and clay.
3.2.1.2.1. Clay (<0.002 mm) Silt (0.002 mm – 0.05 mm) Sand (0.05 mm – 2 mm)
3.2.1.2.2. Types of soil: Sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, loam, silt loam, silt, sandy clay loam, clay loam, silty clay loam, silty clay, clay, sandy clay.
3.2.1.3. Soil horizons
3.2.1.3.1. O horizon: Organic matter in various stages of decomposition
3.2.1.3.2. A horizon (topsoil): Zone of overlying organic material mixed with underlying mineral material
3.2.1.3.3. E horizon: Zone of leaching of metals and nutrients; occurs in some soils beneath either the O horizon or the A horizon.
3.2.1.3.4. B horizon (subsoil): Zone of accumulation of metals and nutrients
3.2.1.3.5. C horizon (subsoil): Least-weathered portion of the soil profile, similar to the parent material
3.2.2. Plate tectonics
3.2.2.1. Theory that explains the structure of the earth's crust and says that the lithosphere is divided into crustal plates,
3.2.2.1.1. Three types and what they form
3.2.3. Microclimates environmental conditions within a small area that differs significantly from the climate of the surrounding area