Chapter 6 Flashcards
Why do temperatures on earth fluctuate seasonally?
It’s because of Earth’s axis of rotation which is at 23.5 degrees with respect to the plane of ecliptic which is the plane traced by Earth’s orbit around the sun.
Why are higher latitudes typically cooler than lower latitudes?
Higher latitudes are typically cooler than lower because of the distribution of solar energy. This means that solar radiation diffuses at high latitudes and causes a low angle of incidence which means the same sunlight is spread over a larger area. That light is reflected because if tge ubciubg sybkugt and high albedo. A higher albedo means that more sunlight is reflected meaning less heat which means cooler weather.
What causes wind?
It’s caused by the differences in air pressure. Specifically since air always flows from high to low pressure.
What kind of air is found at a high-pressure system? A low-pressure system?
Air found in a high-pressure system would be heavier and more dense. While a low pressure system will have lighter and less dense air.
What are the three major wind system? What latitudes would each be found?
Trade Winds (between the equator and 30 degrees latitude)
Prevailing Westerlies (between 30 and 60 degrees latitude)
Polar Easterlies (between 60 degrees latitude and the poles)
What conditions would cause a sea breeze? A land breeze?
A sea breeze occurs during the day when air warmed by the land rises and is replaced by cool air from the ocean.
A land breeze occurs during the night when the land has cooled causing dense air to sink and flow toward the warmer ocean.
Why do you get precipitation at a warm front? At a cold front?
At a warm front the warmer, moist air mass behind the front gradually rises over the cooler air ahead, causing the moisture to condense and form clouds, leading to precipitation
At a cold front when a cold air mass pushes into a warmer air mass, the cooler, denser air forces the warmer, moist air to rise rapidly, causing the moisture to condense and fall as precipitation
What conditions help produce a hurricane?
They require ocean water warmer than 25 degrees C (77 degrees F), warm moist air, and the coriolis effect (causes the spinning of hurricanes to head a certain direction)
What are the six climate zones?
Equatorial, Tropical, subtropical, temperate, subpolar, and polar
Equatorial climate zone
consists of rising air, weak winds and doldrums
Tropical climate zone
Strong winds, little precipitation, and rough seas
Subtropical climate zone
High pressure with descending air, weak winds, and sluggish currents
Temperate
Strong westerly winds, and severe storms are common
Subpolar
Extensive precipitation and summer sea ice
Polar
High pressure and sea ice most of the year
