Paper 1- Weather Atmospheric conditions

Question 1

Weather defined

Answer 1

The conditions of the atmosphere at any one time

Question 2

Climate defined

Answer 2

The average weather conditions of a particular place over a long period of time

Question 3

In what ways does the angle of Incidence affect the amount of heating of the surface? A lower angle means that:

Answer 3

Lower energy per m^2
Sunlight must travel through more atmosphere therefore less reaches the surface
Light is more easily reflected off the surface

these factors explain why the poles are much colder than the tropics

Question 4

What is the reason for differences in pressure across the earth

Answer 4

differences in insolation absorbed across Earths surface create areas of ascending and descending air

more heating = rising air, whereas cooler air descends

Question 5

Summary of the forces that create and direct wind

Answer 5

wind is created by the pressure gradient

Wind direction is modified by the Coriolis force

At low altitudes, wind speed and direction are further influenced by friction as air moves across the Earths surface