Albedo & heat redistribution
Practice Flashcards
Flip to reveal answersDefine albedo (include how it is expressed).
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All 15 Flashcards — Albedo & heat redistribution
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Question
Define albedo (include how it is expressed).
Answer
Albedo is the proportion of incoming solar radiation reflected by a surface, expressed as a decimal (0–1) or a percentage.
💡 Hint
0–1 or %.
Question
What is the key idea linking albedo to climate?
Answer
Albedo controls how much solar energy is reflected vs absorbed, influencing surface temperature and climate patterns.
💡 Hint
Reflect vs absorb.
Question
Why is heat unevenly distributed across Earth?
Answer
The equator receives more direct sunlight while the poles receive sunlight at a low angle spread over a larger area, so the tropics gain more energy.
💡 Hint
Angle of sunlight.
Question
Name two major mechanisms that redistribute heat globally.
Answer
Atmospheric circulation (convection and global wind patterns) and ocean currents (surface and deep circulation).
💡 Hint
Air + ocean.
Question
Give one example of a high-albedo surface and one low-albedo surface.
Answer
High albedo: fresh snow/ice. Low albedo: open ocean/dark asphalt.
💡 Hint
Snow vs ocean.
Question
State the direction of the ice–albedo feedback loop.
Answer
Warming → ice melt → lower albedo → more absorption → more warming (positive feedback).
💡 Hint
Write the loop.
Question
What is convection in the atmosphere?
Answer
Convection is the movement where warm air rises, cools, and sinks, transferring heat and driving circulation and weather.
💡 Hint
Warm rises, cool sinks.
Question
What is the ice–albedo feedback loop?
Answer
Warming melts ice, lowering albedo so more solar energy is absorbed, causing more warming and further ice melt (a positive feedback).
💡 Hint
Melting ice → more absorption.
Question
Where does heat generally move from and to in global redistribution?
Answer
Heat moves from regions of surplus energy near the equator toward regions of deficit energy near the poles.
💡 Hint
Surplus → deficit.
Question
Is the ice–albedo feedback positive or negative? Explain briefly.
Answer
It is a positive feedback because the initial warming leads to changes (lower albedo) that amplify the warming.
💡 Hint
Amplifies the change.
Question
Name three processes that redistribute heat globally.
Answer
Convection (atmosphere), ocean currents, and latent heat transfer (evaporation/condensation).
💡 Hint
Convection + currents + latent heat.
Question
What is latent heat transfer?
Answer
Latent heat is energy absorbed during evaporation and released during condensation, moving heat with water vapour in the atmosphere.
💡 Hint
Evaporation stores energy.
Question
Exam tip: For “temperature regulation” answers, what should you include?
Answer
Include both atmospheric (convection/circulation) and oceanic (currents/latent heat) heat redistribution mechanisms.
💡 Hint
Mention air + ocean.
Question
Exam skill: In albedo questions, what should you always link together?
Answer
Link surface colour/type to reflectivity (albedo) and then to energy absorbed and temperature change.
💡 Hint
Surface → albedo → temp.
Question
Exam skill: How do you write a good “feedback” explanation?
Answer
State whether it is positive or negative, then show a clear loop with arrows (cause → effect → amplifies or reduces the cause).
💡 Hint
Say type + show loop.
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Full study notes for Albedo & heat redistribution
Topic 6.1 hub
Introduction to the atmosphere
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