atmosphere

Question 1

Explain why there is a surplus of solar energy in the tropical latitudes and a deficit
of solar energy towards the Poles

Answer 1

-curvature causes higher concentration on smaller area at tropics = more energy absorbed
-rays pass through less atmosphere at tropics = less reflected/absorbed
-greater albedo at poles (light surface) than tropics (dark surface) = absorbed at tropics reflected at poles
-tilt means no insolation during winter solstices but tropics receive all year round

Question 2

Explain how atmospheric circulation cells and the associated surface winds assist in
redistributing energy around the world

Answer 2

-Northern Hemisphere winds deflected to right Coriolis effect spinning of earth
-warm air lower latitudes moved to higher latitudes
-Hadley Cell - warm rises equator splits top of atmosphere towards poles. cools then sinks tropics high pressure
-Polar Cell - cold sinks poles making high pressure. Polar Easterlies cold air to equator
-Ferrell Cell - transfers air from hadley to polar making westerlies

Question 3

Explain how energy is redistributed throughout the globe through the ocean

Answer 3

-currents flow loops/gyres
- warm currents from equator to poles (North Atlantic Drift
-Cold currents return from poles to equator (Labrador)
-Currents driven by prevailing winds with land masses divert currents (North America)
-Coriolis deflects currents to right northern hemisphere

Question 4

Describe the origin and characteristics of the tropical maritime and tropical
continental airmasses

Answer 4

Tropical maritime forms over the atlantic ocean brings warm weather and high precipitation
tropical continental forms over Sahara brings hot weather and low precipitation