ENVIRSC 1A03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Aurora, Tropopause, Radiant Energy
8 Nov 2015
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
System: interrelated elements; systems interact with each other and parts within the system interact with each other. Atmosphere: the gaseous part of earth from its surface to the atmosphere, where the atmosphere gradually merges with space. Hydrosphere: the liquid realm of the earth, including fresh, salt, and frozen water (the frozen water is snow and ice and is sometimes referred to as the cryosphere) Lithosphere (geosphere): all the rocks and geological material making up the planet; includes soil which is sometimes treated as a separate system called the pitosphere. This layer of soil is a source of nutrients. Weather: state of atmosphere at a particular place and time; the prevailing conditions of a day or two. Mid latitude cyclones: weather systems that are large spirals of air; repeatedly form, intensify and dissolve as the move across the mid and high latitude regions of the globe.
