Environmental Variation Flashcards
How can the planet be divided?
Into latitudinal (N-S) lines (parallels)
Into longitudinal (W-E) lines (meridians)
Where are latitudinal and longitudinal lines zero?
latitude = equator
longitude = prime meridian
What latitude are the north and south poles on?
90°
What is important about the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn?
These are the maximum latitudes at which the sun is directly overhead
What is notable about the Artic and Antarctic circles?
66° latitude
The sun never sets during at least 1 day per year
What is weather?
A day-to-day state of our atmosphere
What is climate?
Long-term averages of weather
What is solar angle of incidence?
Different parts of the planet receive different amounts of solar energy depending on their latitude and the associated solar angle of incidence
What is the solar angle of incidence at the equator?
90°
Directly overhead
Energy hits smaller surface compared to higher latitudes (hotter)
Distance between Earth and sun is shorter
What is the solar angle of incidence at the poles?
«90°, never overhead
Energy is scattered across a larger surface
Distance between sun and Earth is longer (colder)
How does the uneven distribution of solar energy relate to global air circulation?
It acts like a motor that sustains major air circulations
What are the properties of air?
Warm air always rises and cool air descends
Warm air absorbs more moisture than cold air
What are Hadley cells?
Form due to warm air rising, cooling, and forming condensation or rain at the equator
What are Ferrel cells?
Maintained by the strong energy of the other cells
Dry air
What are polar cells?
Form due to the warming and cooling of air
Air masses rise at 60° and cool down closer to the poles, where they descend as very cold air
How does the Coriolis effect affect wins in the Northern hemisphere?
Winds deflection to the right of their travel direction
How does the Coriolis effect affect winds in the Southern hemisphere?
Deflected to the left of their travel direction
Which way do winds from Hadley cells go?
Towards the equator
Which way do winds from Ferrel cells go?
Away from the equator
Which way do winds from Polar cells go?
Towards the equator
Which way do storms spin in the Northern hemisphere?
Counter-clockwise
Which way do storms spin the Southern hemisphere?
Clockwise
How do topographic effects from mountain ranges affect climate?
Warm, moist air from the ocean rises, cools, and condenses
Dry air advances over he mountain range and causes a rain shadow
What are ocean currents important for?
The exchange of water masses, energy, salts, nutrients
