The Atmosphere

Question 0

Revolution

Answer 0

Movement of the Earth in an orbit around the sun

Question 1

Insolation

Answer 1

Incoming solar radiation

Question 2

Atmospheric pressure

Answer 2

The weight of the atmosphere on the surface of the Earth

Question 3

Divergence

Answer 3

Moving apart

Question 4

Convergence

Answer 4

Coming together

Question 5

Dew point

Answer 5

The point at which condensation takes place

Question 6

ITCZ- intertropical convergence zone

Answer 6

The zone where the two sets of tropical easterlies converge

Question 7

Front

Answer 7

Zone where two air masses of different temperatures meet

Question 8

Polar front

Answer 8

The front between the cold and warmer air masses which meet at 60* north and south

Question 9

Wind

Answer 9

Moving air that blows from high pressure to low pressure

Question 10

Pressure gradient

Answer 10

The amount of change in atmospheric pressure between high and low pressure gradients

Question 11

PGF-Pressure gradient force

Answer 11

Causes the air to move from a high pressure area towards a low pressure area along the pressure gradient

Question 12

Coriolis force

Answer 12

The force which deflects winds due to the Earth’s rotation

Question 13

Ferrel’s law

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Friction

Answer 14

Contact with land or sea surface that slows down air movement

Question 15

Geostrophic flow

Answer 15

Condition of the atmosphere where there is a balance between Coriolis Force and the Pressure gradient force

Question 16

Geostrophic flow

Answer 16

Theoretical wind that would result from an exact balance between Coriolis Force and the pressure gradient force

Question 17

Planetary winds

Answer 17

Major winds which blow all year round over large expanses of the Earth’s surface

Question 18

Air mass

Answer 18

A large volume of air with similar temperature, atmospheric pressure and humidity

Question 19

Monsoon

Answer 19

A seasonal wind that blows in tropical regions

Question 20

Föhn

Answer 20

A warm dry wind that descends the leeward side of a mountain

Question 21

Leeward

Answer 21

The side of a mountain where winds descend and warm up

Question 22

Windward

Answer 22

The side of a mountain where winds rise and cool down

Question 23

Lapse rate

Answer 23

The rate at which temperature changes in the atmosphere with change in height

Question 24

DALR

Answer 24

The rate at which the temperature of dry air decreases with an increase in height ( 1* C per 100 metres )

Question 25

WALR

Answer 25

The rate at which the temperature of saturated air decreases with an increase in height ( 0,5* C per 100 metres )