Session 3.2 Atmospheric Dynamics Flashcards
Why does cold air drop and warm air rise?
Heat expands and becomes less dense while cold contracts and becomes more dense.
Thermal Convective lift
the ground heats bubbles of hot air from sun radtiation and they rise
Adiabatic Temp change
When a hot air parcel rises, it expands and cools because of pressure change. Then drops and heats up.
Pressure gradient
High to Low pressure depending on distance between isobars ( closer = stronger).
Coriolis Force northern hemisphere direction
Right
Coriolis Force Southern
hemisphere direction
Left
Coriolis Effect
Faster speeds towards the poles cause movement from high to low pressure to alter.
Geostrophic balance
Balance between Pressure Gradient and Coriolis.
High pressure system in the northern Hemisphere circles….
Clockwise
Low Pressure system in the northern hemisphere circles….
Counter clockwise
Low pressure in the Southern Hemisphere circles….
Clockwise
High pressure in the Southern Hemisphere circles….
Counter Clockwise
Surface convergence
Air heating up and rising from a low pressure system up to clouds for precipitation
Surface Divergence
Air sinking to a low pressure system to be diveraged out towards a low.
How is arctic amplification affecting the pressure gradient
The difference in temperature is decreasing leading to a weaker pressure gradient.
