Air Currents

Question 1

How many properties of air circulate in the atmosphere

Answer 1

4 Air Density, Capacity to contain water vapor, Response to change in pressure, Production of heat when water vapor condenses from gas to liquid

Question 2

Air Density 1

Answer 2

The mass of molecules in the air in a given volume

Question 3

The mass of molecules in the air in a given volume

Answer 3

The density of air determines its movements
Less dense air rises whereas denser air sinks

Question 4

Warm air has a lower density than cold air so it

Answer 4

rises

Question 5

Capacity to contain water vapor 2

Answer 5

Warm air isn’t just denser than cold air it has a higher capacity for water vapor

Question 6

Higher precipitation means it will be

Answer 6

More humid

Question 7

Response to change in pressure 3

Answer 7

As air rises the pressure decreases

Question 8

What happens when temperature falls

Answer 8

Saturation point decreases, water condenses into liquid clouds and precipitation forms

Question 9

Production of heat when water vapor condenses from heat to liquid 4

Answer 9

Water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water, energy is released as heat, which leads to latent heat release

Question 10

A major contributor of different climates is

Answer 10

Atmospheric convection currents

Question 11

How is the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) formed

Answer 11

The circulation of Hadley Cells is driven by the intense solar energy that strikes the earth near the equator which causes ascending branches of the two Haley cells to converge and form ITCZ

Question 12

ITCZ characterized by

Answer 12

Dense clouds and intense thunderstorm activity

Question 13

Saturation Point

Answer 13

The maximum amount of water vapor in the air at a given tempature

Question 14

Adiabatic cooling

Answer 14

The cooling effect of reduced preesure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands

Question 15

Latent heat release

Answer 15

The release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water

Question 16

Atmospheric convection current

Answer 16

Global patterns of air movement that are initiated by unequal heating of earth

Question 17

Hadley cell

Answer 17

A convection current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator and 30N and 30S
Air rises at the equator sinks at medium latitudes

Question 18

Density

Answer 18

Warmer air has a lower density and a higher capacity for water vapor

Question 19

Response to air pressure

Answer 19

As air rises pressure decreases the air expands and cools it

Question 20

Polar Cells

Answer 20

Convection currents formed by air that rises at 60N and 60S and sinks at the poles 90N and 90S
Another set of atmospheric convection currents near the poles

Question 21

Ferrel cell

Answer 21

A convection current in the atmosphere that lies between polar cells and hadley cells and polar seasons

Question 22

Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)

Answer 22

The latitude that receives the most intense sunlight which causes the ascending branches of the two hadley cells to converge

Question 23

Why are these responsible for the location of rainforests, desserts, and grasslands

Answer 23

Because these patterns determine temperature and precipitation around the world