Lesson Atmosphere and Pressure

Question 1

Easterly Winds

Answer 1

Near the Equator surface

Question 2

Top of the troposphere

Answer 2

Westerly winds

Question 3

Pressure = force/area

Answer 3

Pascals = N/m*m

100 Pa = 1 hPa = 1mb (millibar)

Question 4

Ideal Gas Law

Answer 4

P=pRT

P Pressure
p density
R gas constant
T temperature

Pressure and Density, positive
Pressure and Temperature, positive

Temperature and density, negative

Question 5

Pressure Gradient Force

Answer 5

Direction of air movement goes down the pressure gradient - high pressure to low pressure

Question 6

mass x velocity x radius must remain constant

Question 7

Coriolis Effect

Answer 7

Conservation of Angular Momentum
Winds away from the equator move slower in the rotation than winds near the equator
CF - objects go to the right in the N hemisphere - counterclockwise

Deflects left in S hemisphere
Only affects direction, not speed
Strength of deflection is proportional to the speed

Question 8

Geostrophic Balance

PGF and Coriolis

Answer 8

PGF solely , always points high to low

Coriolis must be opposite and equal - points down

Question 9

Friction

Answer 9

Main issues near the surface with topographic features
Turbulent eddies slow down wind flow

Only close to the surface of the Earth

Question 10

Cyclone

Answer 10

Low pressure system
Convergence at the surface forces air to rise

   ^
   | --> L < ----

Question 11

Anticyclones

Answer 11

High Pressure system

—–>

Question 12

Heating of the Earth

Answer 12

Low pressure at the equator - high temp, low pressure

High pressure at the poles - low temp, high pressure

Question 13

Cold air sinks in high pressure

Answer 13

Warm Temp, low surface pressure
- less dense at surface, warm air expands and rises
Cold temp, high surface pressure
- more dense at the surface, cold air contracts and sinks