Author Question: Write a paragraph that explains how wind affects or relates to all aspects of the Earth system: ... (Read 51 times)

Bernana · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

Write a paragraph that explains how wind affects or relates to all aspects of the Earth system: Geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Look back to Figure 10.6. Given your additional learning about convection in Chapter 20, explain the slopes of the lines between points A and A', and between B and B' in Figure 10.6.

What will be an ideal response?

aidanmbrowne · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Key components would include:
a) Geosphere: Wind is an agent of erosion and sediment deposition. Windblown dust contributes minerals and nutrients to soils.
b) Hydrosphere: Wind currents in the atmosphere move moisture onto continents from oceans, leading to precipitation that is a source for surface water and ground water. Wind, therefore, is an important part of the hydrologic cycle.
c) Atmosphere: Wind is caused by convection in the atmosphere and is related to global climate variability.
d) Biosphere: Wind patterns ultimately determine distribution of moisture on land that affects the formation of various ecosystems. Wind also transports allergens and disease-causing pathogens.

Answer to Question 2

In sections 20.1 and 20.2, we learned that rising air experiences less pressure at higher elevations and expands. This causes the air to cool as the heat energy it contains is distributed over a larger volume. Similarly, sinking air compresses and warms. The lines describing the temperature changes of convecting mantle in Figure 10.6 show the same phenomenon. Rising mantle rock cools along the temperature change marked by red line A-A' and sinking mantle rock warms along the path of blue line B-B'.