GEOG309 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Thermosphere, Tropopause, Atmospheric Sciences
4 Apr 2017
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Document Summary
Layer of gases covering the earth, no atmosphere = no weather. Atmospheric science: meteorology -> study of atmospheric process causing weather conditions. Weather: the state of atmosphere at given time and place (temporary) Climate: average condition of the atmosphere for over 30. Depends on latitude, geographical condition, distance to sea, mountain. Lithosphere biosphere hydrosphere atmosphere interact with each other. Question: identify and describe the processes that sustain the interactions between components of the earth-atmosphere system. Positive feedback mechanism within a system that amplifies the effect of initial change. (destabilizing) Negative feedback mechanism within a system that reduces the effect of initial change. (stabilizing) Scientific law = precise description of how nature works, can be word or formula. Scientific theory = detailed explanation of how nature works. 3 types of model = conceptual, -> physical, -> mathematical. Physical = little real world situation with lab instrument, (eg. wind tunnel) = observation.
