Global Circulation Model Flashcards
What point of the earth is the sun’s heat more concentrated?
The equator
Where does hot air travel?
Away from the equator
Where does cold air travel?
Towards the equator
Why is the earth’s temperature a little balanced?
Hot air travels away from the equator and cold air travels towards the equator
Why is The north and south pole colder than anywhere else of the planet?
Because they are furthest away from the sun leading to lower solar insolation
What does solar insolation mean?
Solar insolation is the amount of electromagnetic energy (solar radiation) incident on the surface of the earth.
What is the meaning of air pressure?
Air pressure is the ‘weight’ of air exerted on the ground
What are the two types of air pressure and what is it measured in?
High and low pressure, it is measured in millibars
High pressure______ low pressure________
High pressure sinks and low pressure rises
What happens during low air pressure?
Air rises, and cools and condenses as it does so.
Then it spreads out to form clouds which eventually cause rain
What happens during high air pressure?
The air sinks and pushes more weight onto the Earth.
No clouds form which means no rain.
What climates are associated with low pressure?
Temperate climates like the Uk and Canada
Tropical climates like Brazil
What climates are associated with high pressure?
Desert like the Sahara
Polar like the Antarctic
What does ITCZ stand for?
InterTropical Convergent Zone - the joining of warm air.
What is climate?
Climate is the average weather over 30 years
