Atmospheric

Question 1

What are the 4 main reasons it is warmer at the equator (energy surplus) and colder at the poles (energy deficit)?

Answer 1

1. The sun’s energy has more atmosphere to travel through to reach the poles.
2. The Earths Curvature
3. The angle of incidence
4. Vegetation

Question 2

What effect does the length of atmosphere the sun’s energy has to travel through on being warmer at the equator (energy surplus) and colder at the poles (energy deficit)?

Answer 2

This means that there is a greater chance of reflection and absorption by dust, gases etc so less reaches the surface of the poles.

Question 3

What effect does the earth’s curvature have on it being warmer at the equator (energy surplus) and colder at the poles (energy deficit)?

Answer 3

The suns energy is more concentrated at the equator but the same amount of energy is spread over a wider surface area at the poles.

Question 4

What effect does the angle of incidence have on it being warmer at the equator (energy surplus) and colder at the poles (energy deficit)?

Answer 4

The angle is greater at the poles (120°) than at the equator (90°)

Question 5

What effect does vegetation have on it being warmer at the equator (energy surplus) and colder at the poles (energy deficit)?

Answer 5

At the equator we have green vegetation (rainforests) which absorb energy while snow and ice at the poles reflect energy (ALBEDO EFFECT)

Question 6

In Ferrel’s 3 Cell Model of Atmospheric Circulation, what does warm air do at the equator?

Answer 6

Warm air rises at the equator and rises. As it rises it cools and splits to the north and south and an area of low pressure is created at the surface.

Question 7

Tropical Continental Air Mass

Answer 7

Hot and Dry

Stable

Question 8

Tropical Maritime

Answer 8

Hot and Wet
Unstable
Humid