Motion of the Atmosphere Flashcards
what is insolation
Heating of the earths surface by the sun
REMEMBER: inSOLAtion Sounds like SOLAR = sun
The main source of heat energy in the earths atmopshere is from;
1. Insolation
2. Radiation
RADIATION
What is heat Radiation
The process of the earths surface re-radiating heat into the atmosphere
Which hemisphere is closest to the sun in winter
SOUTHERN
What is the angle of earths tilt
23॰
Where does the most intense surface heating occur
Why
- Equator
- Earth is a sphere. Spread of Solar radiation is more at the poles than equator
Which direction does the earth rotate around the sun
ANTI CLOCKWISE
Warm air is ____ dense, causing it to ____ and produce ____ pressure
- LESS
- RISE
- LOW
Air at the poles colder than at the equator. Cold air ____ and produces ____ pressure
- SINKS
- HIGH
HIGH or LOW
Air moves from ____ pressure to ____ pressure
HIGH to LOW
How many cells of distinct rotation are there
3
What are the names of the circulatator cells
- HADLEY (equator)
- FERREL (mid)
- POLAR (poles)
MORE or LESS
Land heats ____ quickly than sea
MORE
MORE or LESS
Sea cools ____ quickly than land
MORE
Air movement from high pressure to low pressure is known as what
PRESSURE GRADIENT WIND
A bigger pressure difference in gradient wind causes WEAKER or STRONGER wind
STRONGER
What is an isobar
Line of constant atmospheric pressure
Winds are weaker when isobars are ____
FURTHER APART
Winds are ____ when isobars are closer together
STRONGER
What is the name of the force that deflects wind due to earths rotation
CORIOLIS FORCE
In the Northern Hemisphere, airflow is deflected in which direction
RIGHT
When the coriolis force and pressure gradient force balance, this is known as what
GEOSTROPHIC WIND
In the NH, which direction do LOW PRESSURE systems flow
ANTI CLOCKWISE
REMEMBER: Wind in your back, HIGH to the RIGHT
Face the wind, you are LEFT HIGH and DRY (Facing wind, high pressure is on your left)
In the NH, which direction do HIGH PRESSURE systems flow
CLOCKWISE
What type of cyclone is a high pressure system
ANIT CYCLONE
What type of cyclone is a low pressure system
CYCLONE
What happens to air in a low pressure system
Air converges at the bottom of the low pressure area
Air is turning anticlockwise
Air heats up at the surface and ascends
Air cools as it ascends
Cold air at top of pressure system diverges
What happens to air in a high pressure system
Cold air converges at the top
Cold air descends
Air heats up as it ascends
Warm air diverges at the bottom
AIr flows from high to low
High pressure systems have BETTER or WORSE weather than Low pressure systems
BETTER
HIGH or LOW pressure systems generally have worse visibility
Why
- HIGH
- HAZE
An aircraft is making correction for wind blowing from its right. Is it heading into BETTER or WORSE weather conditions
BETTER
If you correct for wind to the right, typically you are flying into better weather
If you face the wind, you are left high and dry
LINK
How does an air mass gain its properties
Time spent travelling over certain regions
i.e. cold air traveling across an ocean will become slightly warmer and more moist
What are the 5 air masses over the UK
Tropical Maritime (mT)
Polar Maritime (mP)
Arctic Maritime (mA)
Polar Continential (cP)
Tropical Continental (cT)
REMEMBER: MC APT
MC = Maritime on the left Continental on the right
APT = Descending order Arctic Polar Tropical
List the condictions of the air masses
Tropical Maritime (mT)
Polar Maritime (mP)
Arctic Maritime (mA)
Polar Continential (cP)
Tropical Continental (cT)
Tropical Maritime (mT) = WARM and WET
Polar Maritime (mP) = COLD and WET
Arctic Maritime (mA) = COLD and DRY
Polar Continential (cP) = COLD and DRY
Tropical Continental (cT) = WARM and DRY
REMEMBER:
Tropical is always WARM
Continental is always DRY
Maritime is always WET (except Arctic Maritime)
Polar is always COLD
