Test review Flashcards
Why is the equator so hot and the poles so cold?
Because sunlight falls directly on the equator so there is more sunlight per unit of area.
The light at the poles is at a low angle so therefore, the sunlight is spread over a larger area and the poles receive very little energy per unit of area.
Wind
The movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.
Why does air move from the poles to the equator?
Cold, upper atmosphere air sinks at the poles and travels along the Earth’s surface toward the equator, warming along the way. Meanwhile, near the equator, warm air rises and completes the loop.
What are prevailing winds?
Distinct wind patterns created by the contrast between high and low pressures and the Coriolis effect.
Which directions do the prevailing winds flow?
East and west
How does a land breeze function?
Air warmed by the ocean creates an area of low pressure. At night, cool air over land moves toward lower pressure over the ocean.
How does a sea breeze function?
Air warmed over land creates an area of low pressure. During the day, cool ocean air moves toward lower pressure over land.
How are the lands affected by the sun’s radiation?
The land absorbs more radiation than the ocean (heats and cools more quickly), and causes local wind patterns such as land and sea breezes or weather patterns such as storms or hurricanes.
How is the ocean affected by the sun’s radiation?
The ocean stores more radiation (heats and cools slower than land), and creates ocean currents that effect the climate and weather.
How much of the sun’s radiation reaches the surface?
55% reaches the surface, and 50% reaches the surface and is absorbed.
Why does some radiation not reach the surface?
It gets reflected by clouds and particles (25%), radiation is absorbed by particles in the atmosphere (20%)
What happens to visible light when it hits the ground?
Visible light is converted into thermal energy, or heat, at the Earth’s surface.
What is the greenhouse effect, and how does it work?
The atmosphere lets the sun’s radiation pass through, but traps the Earth’s IR energy from escaping and directs it back to the surface. This causes an additional buildup of thermal energy on the surface.
Conduction
The transfer of thermal energy by collisions between particles of matter.
Convection
The transfer of thermal energy by the movement of particles within matter.
