Gr11 Atmosphere Terminology, Quiz 1 Flashcards
Adiabatic cooling
The process of decreasing heat through a change in air pressure caused by an air mass expanding.
Adiabatic heating
The process of increasing heat through a change in air pressure caused by an air mass compressing.
Albedo
Albedo is the fraction of insolation reflected from the Earth’s surface back into space. (1= high albedo vs 0= low albedo)
Convergence
The horizontal inflow of two different air masses towards a low pressure zone.
Coriolis force/effect
A force which causes a body that moves freely with respect to the rotating Earth to veer to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
Equatorial low pressure belt
This area is in the earth’s equatorial region and is composed of warm, light ascending and converging air.
Equinox
Time of year when the sun crosses the equator, making daytime and night equal in length.
Ferrel’s Law
A law stating that due to the Coriolis force, winds are deflected to their right in the northern hemisphere and to their left in the southern hemisphere.
Insolation
Solar radiation falling on a unit area of the Earth’s surface.
Insolation angle of incidence
The angle at which the sun’s rays strike the Earth’s surface.
Polar high pressure belt
An area of high pressure located at 90• N/S. The air in this belt is extremely cold and dry.
Pressure gradient force
The force producing air flow from regions of high pressure to regions of low pressure.
Radiation budget
The balance of energy gain (from insolation) and energy loss (terrestrial radiation).
Solstice
Time of year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator.
Subtropical high pressure belt (Horse latitudes)
This is a zone of hot, dry air that forms as the warm air descending from the tropics heats adiabatically.
