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JC Geography > Chapter 6 - Atmospheric Conditions > Flashcards

Chapter 6 - Atmospheric Conditions Flashcards

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1
Q

What are high pressure systems called?

A

Anticyclones

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2
Q

Weather forecasts

A

Global patterns of weather

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3
Q

What are the three kinds of barometer?

A

Mercury
Aneroid
Barograph

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4
Q

How does a maximum thermometer work?

A

○Measures highest temperature for the day
○Contains mercury which rises up the tube as the temperature increases
○Pushes pin in tube upwards
○Pin stays at highest point reached that day

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5
Q

__% of solar radiation directly heats the earth

A

50% of solar radiation directly heats the earth

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6
Q

Isotherm

A

Line on a weather map joining places of equal temperature

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7
Q

How does a Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorder work?

A

►Glass sphere
►Focuses sun’s rays onto a sensitive strip of paper slotted into a semi-circular frame behind the ball
►Sun’s rays scorch the paper
►As the earth spins, the position of the sun changes -> burn mark moves along the paper
►Scorch indicates duration and times of sunshine for day

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8
Q

How does a thermometer work?

A

►Glass rod with thin tube
►Liquid supplied from bulb - mercury or alcohol
►Temperature of liquid in bulb increases and it expands
►Rises up tube
►Fall in temperature causes liquid to contract and fall
►Tube marked with a scale in ºC

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9
Q

How does a wind vane work?

A

►Horizontal arm at one end and a tail at the other -> tail larger than arrow
►Wind blows tail around and points arrow to the direction from which the wind id blowing

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10
Q

How is a warm front formed? What weather occurs because of it?

A

○When a warm air mass moves into a cold air mass
○Because the warm air is less dense,it slides up over the colder air
○First cumulus clouds may appear; characterised by several days of rain
○May be followed by stratus clouds and some precipitation

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11
Q

What are the weather characteristics?

A 
Temperature
Humidity
Atmospheric pressure
Precipitation
Wind direction and speed
Sunshine 
Cloud amounts
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12
Q

Weather

A

The day-to-day condition of the atmosphere

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13
Q

Describe the characteristics of tropical continental air masses

A

○From Sahara

○Bring dry, sunny weather

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14
Q

Describe winter in terms of its relation to the tilt of the earth’s axis

A

○Northern hemisphere tilts away
○Days are short and temperatures are low as it receives the less solar radiation
○Sun located over Tropic of Capricorn

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15
Q

Describe summer in terms of its relation to the tilt of the earth’s axis

A

○Northern hemisphere tilted towards the sun
○Long days, receive the most solar radiation
○Sun located over the Tropic of Cancer

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16
Q

Solar radiation is transmitted in…

A

…rays, waves or particles

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17
Q

What is the Beaufort scale?

A

○Measures wind force
○Shows force of wind and resulting damage caused
○Recorded on a scale of 0-12

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18
Q

Describe the characteristics of polar maritime air masses

A

○From northeast Atlantic

○Bring cold, wet air and showers

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19
Q

What weather is associated with anticyclones?

A

○Clear cloudless skies
○Calm
○Dry
○Summer: Good weather. Hot with lots of sunshine
○Winter: Days sunny nights very cold and frosty. Clear skies allow heat to escape at night

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20
Q

Stevenson Screen

A

Meteorological screen used to shield instruments from wind, precipitation and direct heat from the sun

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21
Q

What weather occurs after a warm front passes?

A

○Sky clears, air pressure rises
○Temperatures also increase as the warm air replaces to cold air
○Air becomes warmer and more humid

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22
Q

Weather maps/synoptic charts

A

Summarise weather over a wide area using lines and symbols

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23
Q

Saturated

A

When air has absorbed as much moisture as it can

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24
Q

Describe how occluded fronts form and what weather is associated with them

A

○When cold front catches up with a warm front○Warm air is completely lifted off the ground by cold air in front and behind
○Changeable weather

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25
Q

Thermometer

A

Instrument used to measure temperature

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26
Q

Mean monthly temperature

A

Add mean daily temperatures and divide by the number of days in a month

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27
Q

What is the unit of measurement for humidity?

A

%

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28
Q

Doldrums

A

○Area of calm weather
○Area near the equator where trade winds meet and die out
○No steady surface winds

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29
Q

How does high pressure occur?

A

When Cold, heavy air sinks

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30
Q

Describe cumulus clouds

A 
○Cumulus means heap
○Look like puffs of cotton in the sky
○Mid altitude below 5,000m
○Flat on bottom, lumpy tops
○Weather conditions associated: can cause heavy showers in warm weather
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31
Q

Altostratus

A

Formless grey/bluish clouds. If they darken and blot out the sun/moon, precipitation will follow

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32
Q

What are the characteristics of an anticyclone?

A 
►Winds blow in a clockwise direction 
►Up to 1,000 km in diameter
►Made of a single air mass i.e. no fronts
►Air descends and warms
►Very slow moving
►Isobars well spaced - calm/light winds
►Forms over land
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33
Q

What unit is used to measure atmospheric pressure?

A

millibars or hector pascals

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34
Q

What is the unit of measurement for rainfall?

A

Millimeters

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35
Q

When millibars are close together it indicates…

A

High winds

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36
Q

How does a barograph work?

A

►Instrument which connects a barometer to an inked pen resting on a chart placed on a drum which rotates

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37
Q

What is the importance of weather in everyday life to aviation?

A

Icy conditions in the atmosphere or on the ground might affect flights

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38
Q

What is a depression?

A

Area of low pressure that develops when a warm front meets a faster cold front

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39
Q

What is atmospheric pressure measured by?

A

Barometer

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40
Q

Describe the characteristics of Arctic air masses

A

○From north pole

○Bring cold weather

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41
Q

What is the importance of weather in everyday life to farmers?

A

Dry conditions are needed to harvest crops

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42
Q

Describe autumn in terms of its relation to the tilt of the earth’s axis

A

○Northern hemisphere begins to tilt away

○Days get shorter, temperatures drop

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43
Q

Cyclonic/frontal rainfall

A

○Occurs when two air masses meet, forming a front
○Occurs when lighter warm air is forced to rise over the heavier cold air
○Moisture in the warm air condenses and causes clouds and rain
○Precipitation falls over a wide area
○Fronts occur over the North Atlantic and are a reason for the changeable Irish weather
○Most common rainfall in Ireland

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44
Q

Isobars

A

Lines on a weather map showing areas of equal atmospheric pressure

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45
Q

What weather is associated with low pressure systems?

A 
○Cloudy skies
○Windy conditions
○Wet weather
○Unpredictable
○Changeable
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46
Q

Convectional rainfall

A

○Caused by sun heating earth’s surface
○Warm air rises, cools and condenses to form clouds
○Found all year found in regions close to the equator (i.e the Tropics) as it is hot
○May occur in Ireland during the summer
○If the air is hot enough, it rises very quickly and thunderstorms occur

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47
Q

What is the unit of measurement for wind speed?

A

knots or km/p/h

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48
Q

Atmosphere

A

Thin layer of gases surrounding the earth

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49
Q

Condensation

A

Occurs when water vapour in the air gets cooled and condenses changing back into water droplets which then form clouds

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50
Q

If air masses form over arctic regions they are defined as…

A

arctic (A)

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51
Q

Meteorologist

A

Person who studies and predicts weather

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52
Q

Horse latitudes

A

○Areas of still, dry weather found at 30° north and south of the equator
○Tends to be weak winds○Ships tried to avoid this zone

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53
Q

If air masses form over polar regions they are defined as…

A

polar (P)

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54
Q

Clouds

A

Collection of tiny water droplets and/or ice crystals held in the atmosphere

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55
Q

Describe the characteristics of polar continental air masses

A

○From northeast Europe

○Bring dry, cold,frosty nights and snow

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56
Q

When millibars are further apart it indicates…

A

Low winds

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57
Q

How is a cold front formed? What weather occurs as a result of it?

A

○Forms where cold air mass moves into a warm air mass
○Cold air is heavier than the warm air, so cold air pushes underneath the warm air
○This forces the warm air mass upwards where it cools and condensation takes place
○Cumulus clouds develop and brief, heavy showers/thunderstorms may be found

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58
Q

What are cold currents?

A

○Flow from areas of high latitude to low latitude
○○e.g. Labrador Current
○This travels southwards along the north east coast of North America past the coasts of Greenland and Canada
○It freezes water, reduces ocean temperature and ice-bergs may be found along its route

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59
Q

List the different gases in the atmosphere and their percentages

A

78% nitrogen
21% oxygen
1% trace gases (argon, carbon dioxide, and others)

60
Q

How are winds named?

A

Winds are named according to the direction from which they blow

61
Q

What is the importance of weather in everyday life to sports?

A

Horse racing can be cancelled due to the ground being soaked. Outdoor sport evets are affected by weather

62
Q

Temperature range

A

Difference between highest and lowest temperature

63
Q

Dines tube

A

Measures direction and strength of wind

64
Q

How does low pressure occur?

A

When warm, light air rises

65
Q

Pressure

A

Force of air on the earth’s surface

66
Q

Prevailing westerlies

A 
○a.k.a Westerlies
○30°-60°
○Winds moving towards poles
○Curve east
○Responsible for weather movements across Europe
67
Q

Briefly describe the Coriolis effect

A

○Global winds are deflected when the earth rotates
○The earth rotates on its axis from west to east
○Result-> winds are deflected:
-To the right of its direction of motion in the northern hemisphere
-To the left of its direction of motion in the southern hemisphere

68
Q

What are the 3 zones separating the three major wind belts?

A

Doldrums
Horse latitudes
Polar fronts

69
Q

What weather occurs after a cold front passes?

A

○Wind changes direction, sky clears and temperature drops

○When cold front passes through; temps can drop more than 15°C in the first hour

70
Q

What is the role of clouds?

A

Provide precipitation
Provide shade from the sun
Keep heat in the atmosphere

71
Q

How are low pressure systems represented on a weather map?

A

L

72
Q

Air mass

A

A large body of air that has similar temperature, pressure and moisture levels throughout

73
Q

Describe the characteristics of tropical maritime air masses

A

○From southwest

○Thunderstorms in summer and heavy rainfall in winter

74
Q

Tropical Easterlies

A

○a.k.a Trade winds
○0°-30°
○Air movements towards the equator
○Curve west

75
Q

What are the negative effects of ocean currents?

A
  • Ice-bergs
  • Colder winds
  • Difficult sailing conditions
76
Q

How is rain formed?

A 
○Occurs when air is forced to rise
○Air cools and loses its ability to hold moisture
○Becomes 100% saturated
○Condensation occurs
○Water vapour turns back into droplets
○Fall as rain
77
Q

Climate

A

The average weather conditions of an area, recorded over a long period of time

78
Q

How does a minimum thermometer work?

A

○Measures lowest temperature for the day
○Contains alcohol
○As temperature drops, the pin falls
○Pin stays at the lowest point reached that day

79
Q

What is the unit of measurement for temperature?

A

ºC

80
Q

Isohels

A

Lines on a weather map showing equal sunshine

81
Q

Hygrometer

A

Measures relative humidity

82
Q

Altocumulus

A

Larger than cirrocumulus and are considered fair weather clouds, often following a storm

83
Q

Wind blows from areas of _____ ________ to ____ _____

A

Wind blows from areas of high pressure to low pressure

84
Q

Latitude

A

Angular distance north and south of the equator

85
Q

Mean annual temperatures

A

Add mean monthly temperatures and divide by 12

86
Q

Precipitation

A

Any form of moisture from the atmosphere, e.g. rain or snow

87
Q

What is the unit of measurement for atmospheric pressure?

A

Millibars or hector pascals

88
Q

What are warm currents? Give an example

A

○Flow from areas of low latitude to high latitude
○○e.g. Gulf Stream originates in Gulf of Mexico
○Veers northeastwards into the Atlantic
○Splits to form:-warm North Atlantic Drift-cold Canary Current
○NAD flows past the west coasts of Ireland and Scandinavia and keeps the prots ice-free

89
Q

What is the importance of weather in everyday life to tourists?

A

Checking forecast for the destination will allow suitable clothing to be packed for the visit

90
Q

If air masses form over oceans they are defined as…

A

maritime (m)

91
Q

How does an anemometer work?

A

►Three cups which pivot and pivot according to the force of the wind acting upon them
►Each rotation makes an electrical contact and the number of turns is recorded

92
Q

How is an anticyclone represented on a weather map?

A

H

93
Q

Anemometer

A

Measures wind speed

94
Q

What is the unit of measurement for sunshine?

A

Hours per day

95
Q

Isohyets

A

Lines on a weather map joining places of equal rainfall

96
Q

Describe cirrus clouds

A

○Cirrus means curl
○Wispy, high up in the sky
○Above 8,000m
○Weather conditions associated: fair weather when scattered in clear sky

97
Q

Meteorology

A

Study of weather. Focuses on weather processes and forecasting

98
Q

Cloud names with the prefix ‘-cirr’ are found at what altitudes?

A

Located at high altitudes from above 6,000 m

99
Q

__% of salor radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and clouds

A

20% of salor radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and clouds

100
Q

What is the most common type of precipitation in Ireland

A

Rain

101
Q

How are clouds formed?

A

When water vapour condenses and turns back into liquid, creating water droplets

102
Q

Relief rainfall

A

○a.k.a Orthographic rainfall
○Affected by mountains
○Occurs when warm, water bearing air is forced to rise when it reaches a mountain range
○Air is forced up over an area of high land and it cools and condenses forming clouds and rainfall
○Rain falls on the windward side of the mountain
○Air descends on the leeward slope and this region is called the rain shadow
○Experienced in the west of Ireland

103
Q

Polar fronts

A

○Lie about 60° north and south of the equator due to tilt of the earth and angle of the sun’s rays
○Location varies with seasons-> moves south in winter and north in summer

104
Q

How does a hygrometer work?

A

►Combination of wet and dry bulb thermometers
►Wet bulb is surrounded by piece of muslin which hangs into a container of water which keeps the thermometer moist
►When air passes over the muslin, it takes up some of the moisture. This depends on the air temperature
►If the air is not saturated, evaporation takes place. The bulb cools and the temperature drops
►The dry bulb is an ordinary thermometer measuring air temperature
►Difference in temperature between the two thermometers is used to find the relative humidity

105
Q

If air masses form over tropical regions they are defined as…

A

tropical (T)

106
Q

Temperature

A

Measures how hot or cold air is

107
Q

What are the two main factors that affect the amount of insolation actually absorbed by the earth’s surface?

A

Angle of the sun’s raysContent of the atmosphere

108
Q

Isobars

A

Lines on a weather map joining places of the same atmospheric pressure

109
Q

Front

A

Boundary between two air masses

110
Q

What is the unit of measurement for wind direction?

A

NSEW

111
Q

What are the three wind belts?

A

Tropical Easterlies
Prevailing Westerlies
Polar Easterlies

112
Q

Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorder

A

Measures sunshine

113
Q

Describe stratus clouds

A

○Stratus means layer
○Like a blanket they stretch out across the sky and block out sun
○Low altitudes below 2,000m
○Grey layer over sky
○Weather conditions associated: overcast, steady rain

114
Q

What is the importance of weather in everyday life to fishermen?

A

If conditions at sea are stormy, vessels might have to stay in the harbour

115
Q

Equator

A

An imaginary line dividing the two hemispheres at 0°

116
Q

How does a mercury barometer work?

A

►Glass tube containing mercury
►Marked in millibars
►Mercury level rises as pressure on mercury rises

117
Q

How does a rain gauge work?

A

○When 1mm has fallen it means if none of the water had run away, soaked into the ground or evaporated, it would cover the ground to a depth of 1mm

118
Q

What are ocean currents?

A

○’Rivers’ of water which flow through the oceans
○Due to differences in temperature, the rotation of the earth and wind
○Can be warm or cold
○Cold currents bring cold temperatures
○Warm currents bring warm temps

119
Q

What are the characteristics of a low pressure system?

A

►Winds blow in an anti-clockwise direction
►Air rises and temperatures fall
►Cold air forces warm air to rise
►Isobars close together - strong winds
►Rising air condenses forming clouds
►Cyclonic rainfall
►Warm tropical air meets cold polar air over Atlantic

120
Q

Describe a Stevenson Screen

A

►Made from louvred (slanted) panels and is white to reflect sunlight
►Keeps and direct rays of the sun and rain but allows air to circulate into the box
►Raised on stilts 1.4m of the ground so there’s no effect from ground temperature

121
Q

What are the positive effects of ocean currents?

A
  • Ice-free coasts
  • Warmer winds
  • Good fishing grounds
122
Q

How does an aneroid barometer work?

A

►Metal box with partial vacuum
►Air pressure rises -> box contracts
►Air pressure falls -> box expands
►As the sides of the box move in and out, a needle/pointer moves on a dial marked in millibars

123
Q

Weather station

A

(a.k.a meteorological station) is a place with land based instruments and equipment where different aspects of weather are monitored and measured

124
Q

Cloud names with the prefix ‘-alto’ are found at what altitudes?

A

Mid altitudes between 2,000m and 6,000 m

125
Q

Why are areas closer to the poles warmer than the poles?

A

○Sun’s rays have a shorter distance to travel so they’re more intense
○Sun’s rays shine directly so concentrate on a small area

126
Q

Cumulonimbus

A

Occur when air rises quickly and thunderstorms may form

127
Q

Average/mean daily temperature

A

Add lowest and highest temperature for the day and divide by two

128
Q

Wind

A

Movement of air caused by differences in temperature and pressure

129
Q

Humidity

A

Amount of water vapour or moisture in the air

130
Q

If a cloud name has ‘nimbus’ in it, what does it mean?

A

Precipitation is falling from the cloud

131
Q

What is the purpose of the atmosphere?

A

It insulates the earth from extreme temperatures, it keeps heat in and protects the earth from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation

132
Q

If air masses form over land they are defined as…

A

continental (c)

133
Q

__% of solar radiation is reflected back through the atmosphere

A

30% of solar radiation is reflected back through the atmosphere

134
Q

Wind vane

A

Measures wind direction

135
Q

What is the troposphere?

A

○The lowest region in the earth’s atmosphere, reaches up to 17km above earth
○Weather and clouds occur here
○Heated by convection and radiation

136
Q

Relative humidity

A

Amount of water vapour in the air compared to amount it would contain if saturated

137
Q

How thick is the atmosphere?

A

480km

138
Q

Atmospheric pressure

A

The weight of the atmosphere pressing down on the earth

139
Q

How are depressions formed?

A

○The warm air mass and the cold air mass don’t mix easily and push against each other
○Warm air makes a dent in the cold air
○Warm air rises creating an area of low pressure
○Since air moves from areas of high pressure to low pressure, cold air swirls in an anticlockwise direction (NH) wrapping itself around the back of the incoming warm air
○So a large wave of warm air becomes surrounded by cold air
○The top wave is an area of low pressure

140
Q

Rain gauge

A

Used to measure the amount of rainfall

141
Q

The intensity of the sun’s rays reaching the earth depends on…

A

The tilt of the earthLines of latitude

142
Q

Describe spring in terms of its relation to the tilt of the earth’s axis

A

○Northern hemisphere begins to tilt towards the sun

○Temperatures increase

143
Q

Water/hydrological cycle

A

The continuous movement of water around the earths oceans, land and atmosphere

144
Q

Hydrosphere

A

Collective mass of water found on, under and over the surface of the Earth

145
Q

What are the four stages of the water cycle?

A
  1. Evaporation
  2. to.condensation
  3. Precipitation
  4. Run off

JC Geography (20 decks)

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