Chapter 2: (LECTURE)

Question 1

Net radiation flux is defined as

Answer 1

the difference in incoming radiation flux and outgoing radiation flux.

Question 2

When the earth‐atmosphere system is considered as a whole, there is a positive net radiation flux between about

Answer 2

40N and 40S,

Question 3

In order for a steady‐state temperature to be achieved, there must be

Answer 3

transport of heat from the earth’s surface to the atmosphere, and from the tropics to the polar regions (meridional transport).

Question 4

Half of the latent heat supplied by the ocean to the atmosphere comes from the tropical oceans (between

Answer 4

30N and 30S

Question 5

The lower the Bowen ratio, the

Answer 5

greater the contribution from latent heat

Question 6

The Bowen ratio can actually be negative, which would occur when the air is warmer than the surface, but

Answer 6

evaporation is occurring

Question 7

Pacific Ocean

Answer 7

The largest cell if located over the Pacific, and involves rising motion in the Western Pacific in the vicinity of Indonesia (often referred to as the Maritime Continent), with sinking motion in the Eastern Pacific off of South and Central America.

Question 8

Atlantic Ocean

Answer 8

Over the Atlantic there is rising motion in the West, with sinking motion in the East

Question 9

Indian Ocean

Answer 9

In the Indian Ocean there is rising motion over Indonesia, with sinking motion off of the east coast of Africa

Question 10

Within the subtropical high pressure belts of the two hemispheres, distinct cells are developed over the oceans:

Answer 10

the North Atlantic and North Pacific highs in NHS,

and the South Atlantic, South Pacific, and South Indian Ocean highs in SHS.

Question 11

In the course of the year, these highs undergo variations of

Answer 11

intensity and position.

Question 12

The subtropical highs are closest to the Equator during the

Answer 12

respective winter, and are displaced poleward in summer.

Question 13

Also the meridional pressure gradient on the equatorward side of the subtropical highs tends to be steepest during

Answer 13

the respective winter. This corresponds to stronger easterlies at lower latitudes.

Question 14

Formation and maintenance of the subtropical highs is complex, and is likely the result of a combination of

Answer 14

dynamic and thermal processes.

Question 15

If diabatic cooling of the air were added to the above process, it could offset the adiabatic warming during descent. Two sources of diabatic cooling are:

Answer 15

• Long‐wave radiational cooling of the upper atmosphere
• Cooling of lower atmosphere from cold ocean currents or wintertime continents