1.1 Global Circulation Flashcards
Where does the earth receive all of it’s heat from?
The sun
As the ground heats up, it warns the air above causing it to become…
Less dense, so warm air rises and transfers heat to the atmosphere
The earth is largely spherical so more radiation is recived at the…
Equator
More radiaton is recived at the equator because
The earth is largely spherical
Where are the coldest parts of the earth?
The poles
Where is the most solar radiation recived on earth?
The equator
How do the sun’s rays strike the earth at the equator?
They are concentrated over a small area and strike at a right angle
How do the sun’s rays strike the earth st the poles?
They reach the surface at a lower angle and cover a larger surface area
What happens to radiation near the poles compared to the equator
It has to pass through more atmosphere and travel a greater distance, which causes more energy to be absorbed.
Why does the equator recive more direct sunlight than the poles?
Because the sun’s rays strike it more directly and over a smaller area, making it warmer
What is the earths precession?
It is the wobbling of the earth on its axis, (similar to a slowing spinning top)
What causes the earth’s precession?
The gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the earth
How does precession affect the north pole?
It causes the north pole to change where it points in the sky
Where does the earth’s axis currently point?
At polaris, the north star
Overtime, how does the earth’s axis change direction?
It moves around in a circle and points at different parts of the sky over thousands of years.
What impact does precession have on earth?
It changes the timing and seasonal contrasts (differences) between hemispheres
