chapter 5 atmospheric circulation and wind systems

Question 1

barometer

Answer 1

an instrument used to measure air pressure

Question 2

thermal vs dynamic pressure

Answer 2

thermal- results from changes in temperature

dynamic- caused by air movement

Question 3

three forces that control wind speed and direction near earths surface

Answer 3

• pressure gradient force
• coriolis force
• friction force

Question 4

pressure gradient force

Answer 4

the resulting force from changes in barometric pressure across earths surface

Question 5

isobar

Answer 5

a line drawn on a map connecting points of equal pressure

Question 6

pressure gradient runs ______ to isobars

Answer 6

perpendicular

Question 7

coriolis effect

Answer 7

perceived deflection of moving objects in relation to earths surface

Question 8

coriolis effect: in the northern hemisphere objects veer to the ___. in the southern hemisphere objects veer to the ___.

Answer 8

right

left

Question 9

friction layer

Answer 9

the area of the atmosphere where wind is slowed by the friction with earths surface

Question 10

geostrophic winds

Answer 10

fast, high altutude winds that are strongly deflected by the coriolis effect

Question 11

anemeter

Answer 11

measures wind based on the speed of propeller rotation when exposed to the wind

Question 12

aerovane

Answer 12

a wind vane and anemometer combined as a single instrument

Question 13

three ways to portray wind on a map

Answer 13

wind barb
wind vectors
streamlines

Question 14

cyclone vs anticyclone

Answer 14

cyclone- a region of low pressure with counterclockwise circulation in the northern hemisphere
anticyclone- a region of high pressure with clockwise rotation in the northern hemisphere

Question 15

ITCZ

Answer 15

a discontinuous band of thermal low pressure and thunderstorms that encircles the planet in the tropics

Question 16

subtropical high

Answer 16

a discontinuous belt of dynamic high pressure and aridity made up of anticyclones

Question 17

subpolar low

Answer 17

a discontinuous belt of dynamic low pressure

Question 18

polar high

Answer 18

an area of cold, dense air at each pole that forms a zone of thermal high pressure

Question 19

trade winds

Answer 19

easterly surface wins found from the ITCZ to the subtropical high, between 0 and 30 degrees N/S

Question 20

doldrums

Answer 20

a low wind region near the equator associated with the ITCZ where the trade winds meets

Question 21

horse latitude

Answer 21

a low wind region centered on 30 degrees n/s

Question 22

westerlies

Answer 22

surface winds that come from the west and are found in both hemispheres between the subpolar low and the subtropical high

Question 23

polar easterlies

Answer 23

cold, dry wins originating near both poles and flowing south and east

Question 24

polar jet stream

Answer 24

a fast ribbon of air that occurs on the boundary of the polar cell and meanders between 45-70 degrees n/s

Question 25

rossby waves

Answer 25

large n/s undulations in upper level westerlies

Question 26

mountain breeze

Answer 26

air flow from mountain slopes to adjacent valleys

Question 27

valley breeze

Answer 27

air flow from a valley upslope to higher elevations

Question 28

sea breeze

Answer 28

local onshore breeze created by heating and development of thermal low pressure over land

Question 29

land breeze

Answer 29

local offshore breeze by cooling and development of thermal high pressure over land

Question 30

chinook wind

Answer 30

downslope wind that forms on leeward side of rocky mountains

Question 31

foehn wind

Answer 31

downslope wind that forms on leeward size of european alps

Question 32

santa ana winds

Answer 32

dry and warm winds that originate in the great basin and flow offshore i southern california

Question 33

diablo winds

Answer 33

dry and warm winds that originate in the great basin and flow through the central valley in northern california

Question 34

katabatic wind

Answer 34

wind that forms mainly over ice sheets or glaciers when intensely cold, dense, and heavy air spills downslope by the force of gravity

Question 35

monsoon

Answer 35

a seasonal reversal of winds

Question 36

el nino

Answer 36

a periodic shift in the state of earths climate caused by the temporary slackening and reversing of the pacific equatorial trade winds and increased surface temperatures in the seas near peru

Question 37

la nina

Answer 37

often follows el nino and creates enhanced normal meteorological conditions for affected areas

Question 38

wind energy

Answer 38

electricity that is derived from wind turbines

Question 39

three major challenges for wind power

Answer 39

1. geography
2. meeting peak demand
3. environmental impacts