global atmospheric circulation

Question 1

what factors affect a places climate?

Answer 1

• high/low latitude
• altitude
• coastal/inland
• east/west
• rural/urban

Question 2

do places at low latitude near the equator have high or low levels of insolation and why?

Answer 2

• higher levels of insolation
• this is because the rays are spread over a smaller area

Question 3

do the poles (higher latitude) have high or low levels of insolation and why?

Answer 3

• lower levels of insolation
• this is because the suns rays are spread over a greater distance

Question 4

warm air ……..

Answer 4

rises because its less dense than cool air

Question 5

cool air ……..

Answer 5

sinks because its more dense than warm air

Question 6

rising air creates …

Answer 6

low pressure

Question 7

sinking air creates …

Answer 7

high pressure

Question 8

what creates wind?

Answer 8

air particles moving from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure

Question 9

how do clouds form?

Answer 9

• warm air rises
• as the air rises it cools
• clouds form and eventually release precipitation

Question 10

what is the most important factor affecting climate?

Answer 10

latitude

Question 11

what are the 3 convection cells in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere?

Answer 11

Hadley cell, Ferrel cell, Polar cell

Question 12

where is the Hadley cell located?

Answer 12

between the tropics and the equator

Question 13

what are jet streams

Answer 13

high altitude currents of air (wind)

Question 14

what direction do winds flow and why?

Answer 14

West -> East
because of the spin of the earth