Key Terms Flashcards
1
Q
Insolation
A
- amount of incoming solar radiation reaching Earth’s surface
- varies w season + latitude
- greater at equator + least at poles
2
Q
Planetary albedo
A
- reflectivity of Earth’s surface + atmo., inc. clouds
3
Q
Greenhouse effect
A
- process where certain gases allow short-wave radiation from sun to pass through + heat up Earth
4
Q
Deficit
A
- shortage of neg. balance
5
Q
Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)/equatorial trough
A
- low pressure-area where NE + SE trade winds converge
6
Q
Low-latitude winds
A
- trade winds in areas between ab 30° N + S
7
Q
Maritime/oceanic
A
- area close to sea/coast + where temps are < in inland areas in summer, but > in inland areas in winter
8
Q
Continental
A
- areas distant from sea, characterised by hot conditions in summer + cold conditions in winter
9
Q
Prevailing wind
A
- direction where wind most commonly blows in a locality
10
Q
Gyre
A
- dominant large-scale pattern of rotating currents in an ocean
11
Q
Pressure gradient
A
- diff. in air pressure between 2 areas
- steep gradient = strong winds
12
Q
Pressure (air)
A
- due to weight if air above Earth’s surface
- dec. as altitude inc.
- areas of high pressure = anticyclones, areas of low pressure = depressions
13
Q
Coriolis force
A
- effect causing any body moving freely w respect to rotating Earth to veer to right in northern hemisphere + left in southern hemisphere
14
Q
Geostrophic balance
A
- balance between Coriolis effect + pressure gradient force
15
Q
Geostrophic wind
A
- wind occurring when an exact balance between Coriolis effect + pressure gradient force
