AS- Physcial: The Atmosphere Flashcards
Where do weather systems occur?
In the Troposphere which is 10km above Earths surface
What is the meaning of Weather?
The state of the atmosphere at a particular place at a particular time
What is Climate?
The average weather over a log period of time usually 30-35 years
What sort of system is the Atmosphere?
It is a closed system
What does closed system mean?
Energy can move in and out of the system but matter can’t
What is Energy from the sun called?
Insolation
What type of radiation is energy from the sun?
Short wave energy
What is the reflective nature of clouds and the earth called?
The Albedo effect
What type of energy is the energy reflected off the surface of earth
Long wave radiation
What are the reasons for insolation nor being even across the world?
Latitude, Seasons, Length of day
How does Latitude affect insolation?
The amount of insolation that reaches the earths surface is greatest when the suns rays approach at right angles like it does at the equator
The thickness of the atmosphere also plays a part into it as the further from the equator you go the thicker the atmosphere becomes for insolation to go through
How do Seasons affect insolation?
The earths axis is not aligned with that of the sun, so the tilt leads to season and varying strengths of insolation
How does Distance from the sea affect temperature?
Plages by the coast are cooled by breezes from the sea in summer and warmed by warm breezes from the sea in winter, land doesn’t have thus moderating effect
What is the name given to when Distance form the sea or location matter?
Continentality
What causes the difference between land and sea surfaces to absorb insolation?
Land surfaces are heated to a shallow depth more quickly, whereas sea surfaces have a higher heat capacity as insolation penetrates to a substantial depth
How does Altitude affect temperature?
It falls but 1oC every 100m in height above sea level
What is the process called Adiabatic cooling entail?
As air rises, pressure decreases and it expands and thus uses energy and temperature drops
What are other factors that affect energy difference across the globe?
Prevailing winds, Ocean currents and Aspect
What is Aspect?
The angle of slope direction in relation to the sun e.g I’m Europe south facing slopes will generally be warmer as they face the sun
What is Prevailing winds?
The direction from which the wind blows most frequently
What Prevailing winds or Ocean currents warm and cool down Britain?
The North Atlantic Drift (Gulf stream) warms Britain as it is a warm ocean current from the Gulf of Mexico
Prevailing winds in Britain are from the south west they will be cool in summer but mild in winter
What are the methods of Vertical Heat Transfer?
Radiation, Convection, Conduction
Explain the methods of Vertical Heat Transfer
Radiation- land radiates heat back into space as long wave radiation
Convection- warm air rises as part of a convection current
Conduction- energy is transferred through contact
What does Heat Surplus and Heat Deficit mean?
Heat Surplus- when more energy enters than leaves the atmosphere
Heat Deficit- more more energy leaves than enters the atmosphere
Give examples of Methods of Horizontal Transfer
Ocean currents, Winds, Hurricanes
How do Ocean currents transfer heat energy?
It depends on the temperature and salinity (salt content), this affects density which powers the system
What is Latent heat?
When water evaporates the energy is stored as latent heat and when the vapour condenses the energy is released, so warm air from the tropics bring water vapour poleward and release energy to areas of Deficit
Where does Heat Surplus and Heat Deficit occur?
Heat surplus occurs at the equator, heat deficit occurs at the poles
How do Hurricanes transfer heat energy?
It does it through Latent heat
How do Winds transfer heat energy?
Winds are responsible for the majority of Horizontal heat energy transfer, it does this by using Latent heat
