Atmosphere Flashcards
Explain the distribution of solar energy that enters the atmosphere
The earth’s surface doesn’t receive all the energy from the sun. 48% of solar energy is absorbed or reflected by the atmosphere. 17% of energy is reflected by clouds due to the albedo effect. Light and clouds reflect solar radiation more than dark clouds. Insolation is absorbed by dust and water vapor in the atmosphere. The curvature of the earth’s rays from the sun travels through the atmosphere. it’s absorbed or reflected. 52% of solar insolation reaches the earth’s surface due to the albedo effect. 6% is reflected in the polar regions such as the north pole. Rainforests absorb more energy than the Amazon rainforest due to their albedo
Explain why there is a surplus of energy at the equator and deficit at the poles
Due to the curve of the earth, sun rays are concentrated on a smaller surface area over tropical latitude. The midday sun is high in the sky throughout the year resulting in more energy. The sun shines overhead in the equatorial and tropical areas which provide constant thermal insolation. Sunray has less atmosphere passes throughout the equator less energy is lost through absorption and reflection and by the atmosphere. Tropical region like the amazon has dense vegetation which absorbs radiation giving a low albedo effect the surface reflects sunlight heat from the sun. the pole’s sun angle are low so the rays of energy are spread out over a much large area and there is less intense. Because of the earth’s curve, the rays must travel far through the atmosphere with more chances of being reflected. Polar regions reflect much more solar radiation giving an albedo effect. the earth tilts there will be no insolation at poles. wintertime and tropical areas receive inolation yearly. poles receive no solar energy from the earth’s orbit and tilt for six weeks.
Explain how atmospheric circulation cells and the associated surface winds assist in redistributing energy around the world
Within the earth’s atmosphere, there is three cell models. The Hadley cell, Ferrel cell, and polar cell. in the Hadley cell, warm air rises at the equator a is pushed 30D north and south it cools and drops to the earth’s surface where it’s pushed back to the equator creating surface winds. In polar cells, cold air sinks at the poles and travels at 60D north and south it heats up and rises before it’s pushed back to the start. Not all air returns to the poles, some travel in the opposite direction toward the equator creating the Ferrel cell. This cell works like gears and is moved by the friction of the Hadley cell and polar cell.
Explain in detail how the oceanic circulation help redistribute energy around the globe
Currents follow circular loops called gyres. This moves clockwise in the northern Atlantic. Warm water currents travel north such as the North Atlantic drift and cold water currents travel south such as the Canaries current. Ocean currents also affect the configuration of landmasses and prevailing winds. This energy is transferred by friction there are different densities within the water as some parts are cold and heavy while others are warm and light. The col water sinks and moves to the equator where it them heats up and rises
With reference to the ITCZ zone and the movement of air masses account for the variations in west African rain fall distribution
(Name of the village given) with around (value given) of rainfall per year, is a tropical rainforest climate. As the graph displays, it has a twin peak with a major peak in June and a smaller peak in November. It’s on the Gulf of Guinea coast and is therefore influenced by hot, humid, tropical maritime air. This results in a higher total annual precipitation with a greater number of rain days. The twin peak is due to the ITCZ moving Northwards and then Southwards later in the year. This moves the band of most intense heat and rainfall away from the city then back towards the (Name of the village given) has a total annual precipitation of (value given) and has a clear wet/dry season regime. As the graph shows it receives more rain days and heavy summer precipitation in August when the ITCZ is the furthest north. This brings rainfall to the area’s tropical maritime air mass is dominant. It has its peak in August which is the peak rainy season for the area making the most northerly extent of the ITCZ’s movement north. (Name of the village given)bon the other hand is under the influence of hot, dry continental tropical air blowing air from the Sahara and lies north of the ITCZ for most of the year, meaning it remains dry throughout the year with a total rainfall of (value given)
