Chapter 6 Flashcards
The structure of Earth’s atmosphere is defined by changes in ______ and ______
temperature;pressure
________ with altitude
- 29.92 inches of mercury
- The “weight” of air at sea level is 14.7 pounds per square inch or 1 kilogram per square centimeter
Air Pressure decreases
__________ in the troposphere according to the __________ *3.5 F per
1000 feet
Air Temperature decreases;Environmental Lapse Rate
The composition of the atmosphere is a constantly changing mixture of gases, water vapor, ______, and ozone
*microscopic solid and liquid particles suspended in air
*includes both natural and human sources of dust, salt,
soil, smoke, soot, ash, pollen, microorganisms
aerosols*
_______ describes the physical conditions* of the ______ at a particular time and place
*Composition, Temperature, Density, Humidity, Pressure
Weather; troposphere
______ is the long term average of weather and __________
-Malibu, California January 25th 2008
Climate;does not predict weather
________ are the result of the tilt of Earth’s rotational axis relative to the sun
Seasons
________ in solar radiation intensity are caused by Earth’s changing seasons
Long-term variations
________ in solar radiation intensity are caused by the daytime-nighttime cycle
Short-term variations
Variations in _________ are caused by latitude, atmosphere, and ______
-and result in temperature and pressure differences in the ________ and the _______
solar radiation intensity; albedo
Troposphere; Ocean
Warm air and moist air rise while cool air and dry air sink, creating a ______
- cool, dense,______ results in higher surface air pressures
- warm, moist, ______ results in lower surface air pressures
Convection Cell; sinking air; rising air
Movement of Air on a Fictional \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Earth Air rises at \_\_\_\_\_ (low pressure) Air sinks at \_\_\_\_\_(high pressure) Air flows from\_\_\_\_\_ pressure One convection cell or circulation cell
Non-spinning; equator; poles; high to low
Earth has a _______ in each hemisphere
- _____ Cell: 0–30 degrees latitude
- _____ Cell: 30–60 degrees latitude
- _____ Cell: 60–90 degrees latitude
3-Cell Circulation Pattern; Hadley;Ferrel; Polar
The ocean and atmosphere act as a single interdependent system linked by complex _____
Feedback Loops
Circulation in the ocean (i.e., waves and currents) and in the atmosphere (i.e., wind) ______ and ______heat on planet Earth
- climate and weather are ______ on these circulation patterns
- the ______ influences this circulation
- The apparent change in the direction of movement of air and water in the atmosphere and ocean due to the rotation of the Earth
transfers; balances; dependent; Coriolis Effect*
__________ rotate counterclockwise and ______ rotate clockwise (in the _______)
Cyclones (storms); Anticyclones; Northern Hemisphere
______ is air moving from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure
- daily air temperature changes create ______ and ______
Wind; Sea Breezes; Land Breezes
______ is a result of the movement and interaction of
large _______ along _____
- Warm, Cold, Stationary, Occluded
Weather; Air Masses; Fronts
_____________ is based on the moisture and temperature conditions of the source region
- Continental (c) or Maritime (m)
- Polar (P), Arctic (A), Tropical (T)
- May result in _______
- May change over time
Air Mass classification*; air-mass weather
The ________ can cause unusual weather by influencing air masses (i.e., weather patterns)
Jet Stream
1) The component with the greatest concentration in the Earth's atmosphere A) troposphere B) tropopause C) convection cell D) stratosphere E) water vapor AB) ozone (O3) AC) nitrogen (N2) AD) oxygen (O2)
nitrogen (N2)
2) The most abundant greenhouse gas that also influences air density A) troposphere B) tropopause C) convection cell D) stratosphere E) water vapor AB) ozone (O3) AC) nitrogen (N2) AD) oxygen (O2)
water vapor
3) The lowermost portion of Earth's atmosphere where most weather occurs A) troposphere B) tropopause C) convection cell D) stratosphere E) water vapor AB) ozone (O3) AC) nitrogen (N2) AD) oxygen (O2)
troposphere
4)The boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere A) troposphere B) tropopause C) convection cell D) stratosphere E) water vapor AB) ozone (O3) AC) nitrogen (N2) AD) oxygen (O2)
tropopause
5) The rising and sinking air masses moving in a circular fashion A) troposphere B) tropopause C) convection cell D) stratosphere E) water vapor AB) ozone (O3) AC) nitrogen (N2) AD) oxygen (O2)
convection cell
6) Inter-tropical Convergence Zone
A) located at 23.5° N latitude
B) located at 23.5° S latitude
C) located at 30° S latitude
D) prevailing wind pattern at tropical latitudes
E) prevailing wind pattern at polar latitudes
AB) area where warm, moist air rises close to the equator
AC) prevailing wind pattern at temperate latitudes
AD) located at 90° N latitude
???????
7) Trade winds
A) located at 23.5° N latitude
B) located at 23.5° S latitude
C) located at 30° S latitude
D) prevailing wind pattern at tropical latitudes
E) prevailing wind pattern at polar latitudes
AB) area where warm, moist air rises close to the equator
AC) prevailing wind pattern at temperate latitudes
AD) located at 90° N latitude
?????????
8) Tropic of Cancer
A) located at 23.5° N latitude
B) located at 23.5° S latitude
C) located at 30° S latitude
D) prevailing wind pattern at tropical latitudes
E) prevailing wind pattern at polar latitudes
AB) area where warm, moist air rises close to the equator
AC) prevailing wind pattern at temperate latitudes
AD) located at 90° N latitude
located at 23.5° N latitude
9) Westerlies
A) located at 23.5° N latitude
B) located at 23.5° S latitude
C) located at 30° S latitude
D) prevailing wind pattern at tropical latitudes
E) prevailing wind pattern at polar latitudes
AB) area where warm, moist air rises close to the equator
AC) prevailing wind pattern at temperate latitudes
AD) located at 90° N latitude
prevailing wind pattern at tropical latitudes
10) Polar easterlies
A) located at 23.5° N latitude
B) located at 23.5° S latitude
C) located at 30° S latitude
D) prevailing wind pattern at tropical latitudes
E) prevailing wind pattern at polar latitudes
AB) area where warm, moist air rises close to the equator
AC) prevailing wind pattern at temperate latitudes
AD) located at 90° N latitude
prevailing wind pattern at polar latitudes
Students sometimes ask…Is it true that the Coriolis effect causes water to drain one way in the Northern Hemisphere and the other way in the Southern?
- Most cases no
- other effects are Invalidated: draining water spiral counterclockwise north of the equator and the other way in the Southern Hemisphere(Same directions as hurricanes spin)
- Coriolis effect is extremely weak on small systems like a basin of water
Students sometimes ask…If Earth is spinning so fast, why don’t we feel it?
- It rotates smoothly and quietly
- atmosphere moves along with it
- sensations= no motion, ground is still and comfortably at rest
- US move at a speed greater than 800 kilometers (500 miles) per hour
Students sometimes ask…What is the Origin of the name horse latitudes?
- Spanish sailing vessels transported horses across the Atlantic to the West Indies.
- Seamen who were paid an advance, called the “dead horse” before a long voyage
- few months into voyage; dead horse was worked off
- vessels stuck in the middle of the ocean w/o wind
