The Atmosphere Flashcards
Revolution
Movement of the Earth in an orbit around the sun
Insolation
Incoming solar radiation
Atmospheric pressure
The weight of the atmosphere on the surface of the Earth
Divergence
Moving apart
Convergence
Coming together
Dew point
The point at which condensation takes place
ITCZ- intertropical convergence zone
The zone where the two sets of tropical easterlies converge
Front
Zone where two air masses of different temperatures meet
Polar front
The front between the cold and warmer air masses which meet at 60* north and south
Wind
Moving air that blows from high pressure to low pressure
Pressure gradient
The amount of change in atmospheric pressure between high and low pressure gradients
PGF-Pressure gradient force
Causes the air to move from a high pressure area towards a low pressure area along the pressure gradient
Coriolis force
The force which deflects winds due to the Earth’s rotation
Ferrel’s law
States that, as a result of the Coriolis force, the winds are deflected to their left in the southern hemisphere and to their right in the northern hemisphere
Friction
Contact with land or sea surface that slows down air movement
Geostrophic flow
Condition of the atmosphere where there is a balance between Coriolis Force and the Pressure gradient force
Geostrophic flow
Theoretical wind that would result from an exact balance between Coriolis Force and the pressure gradient force
Planetary winds
Major winds which blow all year round over large expanses of the Earth’s surface
Air mass
A large volume of air with similar temperature, atmospheric pressure and humidity
Monsoon
A seasonal wind that blows in tropical regions
Föhn
A warm dry wind that descends the leeward side of a mountain
Leeward
The side of a mountain where winds descend and warm up
Windward
The side of a mountain where winds rise and cool down
Lapse rate
The rate at which temperature changes in the atmosphere with change in height
DALR
The rate at which the temperature of dry air decreases with an increase in height ( 1* C per 100 metres )
WALR
The rate at which the temperature of saturated air decreases with an increase in height ( 0,5* C per 100 metres )
