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Geog GR11 SA > The atmosphere > Flashcards

The atmosphere Flashcards

1
Q

Incoming radiation is…

A

short wave

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2
Q

in the tropics there is a A ___ of heat and a B___ in the poles

A

A-Surplus B- Deficit

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3
Q

Factors influencing surface temperature

A 
angle of incidence
thickness of the atmosphere
colour of surface
altitude
ocean currents
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4
Q

Air moves from…

A

High to low pressure areas

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5
Q

the closer the isobars, the ___ the pressure gradient

A

steeper

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6
Q

Gradient pressure force

A

Force affecting wind speed NOT wind direction

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7
Q

Coriolis force/effect

A

Any moving body is deflected by Coriolis force
Deflects left in S hemisphere
Deflects right in N hemisphere

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8
Q

Geostrophic flow

A

When Coriolis force and pressure gradient force move in opposite directions. Results in wind blowing parallel to isobars

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9
Q

Low pressure cells

A

Air cools as it rises
rotates clockwise
air sucked in at surface
associated with clouds and rain

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10
Q

High pressure cells

A

air warms as it sinks
air is repelled at the surface
air rotates anticlockwise
associated with calm, cloudless conditions

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11
Q

Factors affecting the formation of seasons

A 
sphericity
rotation
tilt of the earth's axis
revolution
Axial parallelism
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12
Q

Summer solstice in S hemisphere

A

21 Dec

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13
Q

Temperature will increase and decrease as ___ does

A

Pressure

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14
Q

Explain the formation of a sea breeze

A

The land is heated and the sea remains cool
Hot air rises from the land resulting in a low pressure
Air over the sea has a higher pressure
Air moves from high pressure to low pressure
Sea breeze is formed

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15
Q

Hadley cell

A

circulation between equator and 30 latitude

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16
Q

Ferrel cell

A

circulation between Hadley and Polar cells

17
Q

Polar cells

A

Circulation towards LP polar belt at 60 N & S

18
Q

Air masses

A

bodies of air with the same temperature and moisture characteristics

19
Q

Maritime

A

Moist air over the ocean

20
Q

Continental

A

Dry Air over the continent

21
Q

Tropical air is (a) and Polar is (b)

A

a) warm b) cold

22
Q

Monsoon winds

A

seasonal reversal of atmospheric pressure, winds and rainfall
Caused by shift in pressure belts with the sun and ITCZ

23
Q

ITCZ

A

Inter tropical convergence zone

24
Q

DALR

A

Dry adiabatic lapse rate
air cools -1 as rises
air heats +1 as it sinks

25
Q

WALR

A

Wet adiabatic lapse rate

Air is saturated so cools -0.5 as rises

26
Q

Fohn winds

A

general name for a hot, dry wind that originates in a mountainous region

27
Q

Jet streams

A

Strong winds blowing W to E in the upper atmosphere

Can reach very high speeds

28
Q

El Nino

A
  • -warm water flows from W to E pacific (reverses)
  • -HP develops over Indonesia
  • -Descending air warms and dries conditions over the sea
  • -Heavy rain occurs over S America
29
Q

La Nina

A
  • -Normal LP over Indonesia drops even lower and HP over pacific ocean becomes even higher
  • -Causes higher than usual rainfall in Indonesia, drought in S America
30
Q

Effects of El Nino

A

Forest fires in Indonesia (now dry conditions)
Flooding in Peru
Reduction in upwelling of cold water= less fishing

31
Q

What is a drought

A

an extended period of a deficit of rainfall relative to the area’s average

32
Q

Types of drought

A

Meteorological
Agricultural
Hydrological
Socio-economic

33
Q

Causes of drought

A
  • excessive heat build up over the earth’s surface

- winds carrying continental air masses instead of oceanic ones

34
Q

Effects of drought

A
  • decrease in tourism
  • crop failure
  • threatened ecosystems
  • bushfires
35
Q

Desertification

A

The process of land degradation in semi-arid areas resulting from climate change and human activities

36
Q

Human activities causing desertification

A
  • overgrazing
  • surface mining
  • increasing population and poor planning

Geog GR11 SA (5 decks)

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