circulation of the atmosphere and surface oceans Flashcards
1
Q
what is the pressure gradient force?
A
air accelerates from high to low pressure areas
2
Q
what is the coriolis effect?
A
because we are on a rotating Earth, straight paths appear curved to us as if a force was pulling on moving objects
- trajectories curve to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in Southern Hemisphere
3
Q
what happens when air goes up?
A
it expands and because it expands, it cools
4
Q
how do clouds form?
A
when humid air cools and becomes super-saturated (condensates)
5
Q
what is the Hadley cell?
A
where warm moist equatorial air rises and moves towards the poles (sinking at 30 degrees latitude)
