6 - General Circulation of the Atmosphere and Jet Streams

Question 1

3 assumptions

Answer 1

1. Our planet is uniformly covered by water
2. Sun is directly above the equator
3. Earth not rotating (remote assumption, no CF)

Question 2

2 mechanisms (heat transfer from low to high)
- Tropic to polar regions

Answer 2

1. Ocean current
2. General circulation of the atmosphere

Question 3

Cold and warm air

Answer 3

Warm: South to North
Cold: North to South

Question 4

30N + 30S

Answer 4

• Nice balance
• Receives as much as it releases

Question 5

Vertical Plane Example

Answer 5

Check GoodNotes for image representation + notes

Question 6

General Points

Answer 6

• CF pushes air to the right (result = air descends)
• When air is decreasing, it is warming up
• Air is being compressed and compressed air originates from high altitudes
• Most desert are in the regions of 30N

Question 7

General Points: Southern Hemisphere

Answer 7

• Deviant air to the left due to CF
• Acts to the right of the equator
• High moves from high altitudes to the equator
• Change of direction due to CF

Question 8

Why would air descend?

Answer 8

• Moves to the North, loss of energy
• Has CF, moving air to the right, air gets deflected to the right

Question 9

Trade Winds

Answer 9

• Lots of water vapour when it goes up + condense…explains why there are many storms around the equator
• Polar front: collision of big masses (air masses)
• Not much wind in 30N
• Difference of thermo properties than land/oceans can take up more heat
• Any day is different, environment changes daily

Question 10

Monsoon Circulation

Answer 10

• Consequence of having both land + ocean surfaces
• Common in summer
• Regions very active (India, SE Asia/Africa)
• Dew point occurs
• PGF
• Clouds form from condensation as air rises