2 - Energy and Circulation in the Atmosphere Flashcards
Which two forces work in opposite directions on air parcels?
Gravity and buoyancy
Isopleths
curves where a variable is constant e.g. mountains - lines of equal height where the steepest part is where lines are closest together
Isobars
used to study atmospheric flows. Pressure gradient force points from high to low pressure
Coriolis effect
Earth’s rotation deflects air parcels in the NH to the right and SH to the left. Most significant in polar regions due to highest apparent deflection (distance covered per degree of longitude is less than at equator)
Buys Ballot law
in the NH if you turn your back to the wind the low pressure centre will be to your left
why is wind speed not parallel to isobars?
Friction is greater over land than over water. This reduces wind speed and thus Coriolis effect. Pressure gradient remains constant, thus wind speed not parallel to isobars
What are Hadley cells driven by?
Heating in the tropics and Coriolis force which breaks poleward movement into cells
Ferrel cell
mid latitude cell resulting from circulation in polar and Hadley cells
What are the prevailing wind directions?
Easterly trade winds in the tropics (flow west) and westerlies in temperate zones (flow east)
Koppen Geiger climates
classification based off temperature, except B which is based on aridity. A is warmest and E is coldest
Why is there more co2 release during ENSO years?
The change in circulation and precipitation patterns caused by ENSO can lead to drought, thus plants grow less quickly and absorb less co2, leaving it in the atmosphere. Furthermore, wild fires cause co2 release during combustion.
Warmer oceans may uptake less co2.
What is used as a proxy for photosynthesis?
Satellite signal (SIF). Reduced SIF means reduces photosynthesis *
