Clouds

Question 1

what is the global atmospheric circulation model

Answer 1

it suggests the presence of three interconnected cells and identifies latitudinal zones of rising and falling air

Question 2

explain what occurs in the global atmospheric circulation model at the EQUATOR

Answer 2

high temperatures result in high rates of evaporation. the war, moist air rises, cools and condenses to form towering blocks of cloud and heavy rainfall in a low pressure zone called the ITCZ (inter-tropical convergence zone)

Question 3

explain what occurs in the global atmospheric circulation model at MID LATITUDES

Answer 3

cloud formation is mainly driven by the convergence of warm air from the tropics and cold air from the Arctic.
the boundary of these 2 distinct air masses (the polar front) results in cloud formation.
the jet stream drives these unstable weather conditions across the mid latitiudes

Question 4

clouds form when the air is too saturated and cannot hold anymore water vapour. this can happen two ways:

Answer 4

the amount of water in the air has increased- eg through evaporation- to the point where the air cannot hold anymore water
the air has cooled to its dew point- the point where condensation occurs so the air is unable to hold anymore water

Question 5

the warmer the air is…

Answer 5

the more water vapour it can hold

Question 6

the point at which dew point is reached and clouds formed is called…

Answer 6

the condensation level

Question 7

as air cools it is able to hold less water vapour so…. (link to temperature)

Answer 7

if it is cooled sufficiently it cannot hold anymore water so becomes saturated (eg dew in the morning)– this temperature is known as the dew point temperature