M1 Topic 1 part 2: Atmosphere Flashcards
what is precipitation
water from the atmosphere that is solid or liquid form
list types of precipitation (3)
rain
snow
hail
what are the three types of rainfall
relief
convectional
frontal
what processes go into convection rain (3)
the sun heat the earths surface
air above heats up
hot air rises, cools then condenses
what processes go into relief rainfall (3)
Minute water particles are collected to form clouds.
Clouds go up an area with higher altitude cooling it causing condensation.
Air descends and warms up stopping the rain.
what processes go into Frontal rainfall (3)
Two air masses meet (one cold one warm) with the warm air rising over the cold air.
The air begins to cool minute rain drops form heavy clouds.
Then clouds begin to condense
why are sea breezes different too land breezes
difference in heating of the sea compared to the land
characteristics of sea breezes (4)
build up in the morning
dies out at night
sea retains heat longer than land
atmospheric pressure drops over the sea creating uplift
characteristics of land breezes
begin after sunset
die out at sunrise
what are anabatic winds
are mid afternoon winds between valley where the air is heated, expands and rise creating a zone of low pressure
what are kanabatic winds
night winds between valley where the air is cooled, increasing in its density causing wind to go down hill, which can cause temperature inversions causing fog to be produced
what are micro climates
small areas of significant climatic differences
how are micro climates produced
list 2 examples of each
urban factors (sunlight, humidity) natural factors (aspect, land surface)
why do urban areas receive less sunlight than rural areas
higher amounts of atmospheric particles which absorb and reflect around 50% of insolation
why do urban areas have less humidity than rural areas
lack of evaporation due to low sunlight
