global air circulation - definitions

Question 1

atmospheric pressure

Answer 1

weight of the atmosphere on the surface of the earth

Question 2

divergence

Answer 2

moving apart

Question 3

convergence

Answer 3

coming together

Question 4

dew point

Answer 4

temperature at which water starts to condense

Question 5

intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)

Answer 5

zone where the two sets of tropical easterlies converge

Question 6

polar front

Answer 6

the front between the cold and warmer air masses

Question 7

front

Answer 7

zone where two air masses if different temperatures meet

Question 8

pressure gradient

Answer 8

amount of change in atmospheric pressure between high and loew pressure areas

Question 9

coriolis force

Answer 9

force which deflects winds due to the earth’s rotation

Question 10

geostrophic flow

Answer 10

theoretical wind that would result from an extact balanfe between coriolis force and pressure gradient force

Question 11

friction

Answer 11

contact with land or sea surface that slows down air movement

Question 12

planetary winds

Answer 12

major winds that blow all year round

Question 13

monsoon

Answer 13

a seasonal wind that blows in tropical regions

Question 14

föhn

Answer 14

a warm, dry wing that descends the leeward side of a mountain

Question 15

leeward

Answer 15

side of a mountain where winds descend and warm up

Question 16

windward

Answer 16

the side of a mountain where winds rise and cool down