atmospheric pressure and air masses Flashcards
factors that affect atmospheric pressure
altitude, temp, humidity
altitude
atmospheric pressure decreases when the altitude increases bc the # of molecules in the air column decreases.
temp
higher temp lowers atmospheric pressure bc theres less particles in the air.
humidity
when humidity increases the more water replaces the other gases which lowers the air pressure of the surface.
atmospheric convection cell
draw an oval and on the top right put the air cools and sinks. the bottom right is high pressure. bottom going to the left is wind. bottom left is low pressure going up to air warms and rises.
high pressure system
clear, dry weather. (anticyclone)
tendency rising
clear skies, dry weather is coming
low pressure system
humidity and precipitation (depression)
tendency falling
clouds and precipitation, wet weather is coming.
warm air masses
usually forms above the tropical regions
cold air masses
usually forms above the polar regions
