Air currents Flashcards
Adiabatic cooling
The cooling effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in atmosphere and expands
Saturation point
Maximum amount of water vapor in air at a given temperature (when temp decreases, so does saturation point, and water vapor condenses to liquid water)
Adiabatic heating
the heating effect of increased pressure on air as it sinks towards the surface of Earth & decreases in volume
Latent heat release
The release of energy when water vapor in atmosphere condenses to liquid
Four properties that determine how air circulates the atmosphere
Density, vapor capacity, adiabatic heating/cooling, & latent heat release
Atmospheric convection current
Global patterns of air movement that are initiated by unequal heating of earth
Hadley cells
Convection currents in atmosphere that circulate between equator and 30 degrees North and South
ITCZ
latitude that receives most intense sunlight, causing ascending branches of the two Hadley cells to converge
Polar cells
Convection current in the atmosphere, formed by air that rises at 60 degrees North and 60 degrees South and sinks at the Poles, 90 degrees North and 90 degrees South
Ferrell cells
Convection current in atmosphere that lies between Hadley and Polar cells
What climates do rising air vs descending air lead to
Rising air = tropical. Descending air = desert.
Hurricanes location
Atlantic and Northeast Pacific
Typhoons location
Western North Pacific
Cyclones location
Western South Pacific & Indian Ocean
