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PPL - Meteorology > Motion of the Atmosphere > Flashcards

Motion of the Atmosphere Flashcards

1
Q

what is insolation

A

Heating of the earths surface by the sun

REMEMBER: inSOLAtion Sounds like SOLAR = sun

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2
Q

The main source of heat energy in the earths atmopshere is from;
1. Insolation
2. Radiation

A

RADIATION

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3
Q

What is heat Radiation

A

The process of the earths surface re-radiating heat into the atmosphere

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4
Q

Which hemisphere is closest to the sun in winter

A

SOUTHERN

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5
Q

What is the angle of earths tilt

A

23॰

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6
Q

Where does the most intense surface heating occur
Why

A
  1. Equator
  2. Earth is a sphere. Spread of Solar radiation is more at the poles than equator

Review here

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7
Q

Which direction does the earth rotate around the sun

A

ANTI CLOCKWISE

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8
Q

Warm air is ____ dense, causing it to ____ and produce ____ pressure

A
  1. LESS
  2. RISE
  3. LOW
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9
Q

Air at the poles colder than at the equator. Cold air ____ and produces ____ pressure

A
  1. SINKS
  2. HIGH
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10
Q

HIGH or LOW

Air moves from ____ pressure to ____ pressure

A

HIGH to LOW

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11
Q

How many cells of distinct rotation are there

A

3

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12
Q

What are the names of the circulatator cells

A
  1. HADLEY (equator)
  2. FERREL (mid)
  3. POLAR (poles)
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13
Q

MORE or LESS

Land heats ____ quickly than sea

A

MORE

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14
Q

MORE or LESS

Sea cools ____ quickly than land

A

MORE

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15
Q

Air movement from high pressure to low pressure is known as what

A

PRESSURE GRADIENT WIND

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16
Q

A bigger pressure difference in gradient wind causes WEAKER or STRONGER wind

A

STRONGER

17
Q

What is an isobar

A

Line of constant atmospheric pressure

18
Q

Winds are weaker when isobars are ____

A

FURTHER APART

19
Q

Winds are ____ when isobars are closer together

A

STRONGER

20
Q

What is the name of the force that deflects wind due to earths rotation

A

CORIOLIS FORCE

21
Q

In the Northern Hemisphere, airflow is deflected in which direction

A

RIGHT

22
Q

When the coriolis force and pressure gradient force balance, this is known as what

A

GEOSTROPHIC WIND

23
Q

In the NH, which direction do LOW PRESSURE systems flow

A

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)

24
Q

In the NH, which direction do HIGH PRESSURE systems flow

A

CLOCKWISE

25
Q

What type of cyclone is a high pressure system

A

ANIT CYCLONE

REVIEW HERE

26
Q

What type of cyclone is a low pressure system

A

CYCLONE

REVIEW HERE

27
Q

What happens to air in a low pressure system

A

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

REVIEW HERE

28
Q

What happens to air in a high pressure system

A

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

REVIEW HERE

29
Q

High pressure systems have BETTER or WORSE weather than Low pressure systems

A

BETTER

30
Q

HIGH or LOW pressure systems generally have worse visibility
Why

A
  1. HIGH
  2. HAZE
31
Q

An aircraft is making correction for wind blowing from its right. Is it heading into BETTER or WORSE weather conditions

A

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

32
Q

How does an air mass gain its properties

A

Time spent travelling over certain regions

i.e. cold air traveling across an ocean will become slightly warmer and more moist

33
Q

What are the 5 air masses over the UK

A

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

34
Q

List the condictions of the air masses
Tropical Maritime (mT)
Polar Maritime (mP)
Arctic Maritime (mA)
Polar Continential (cP)
Tropical Continental (cT)

A

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

PPL - Meteorology (17 decks)

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