The Restless Atmosphere - Winds and pressure

Question 1

Four reasons why the atmosphere is important

Answer 1

The atmosphere provides us with the air we need to breathe
It absorbs heat from the sun by day
It retains heat at night
It protects us from the harmful UV Ray’s of the sun

Question 2

Explain atmosphere

Answer 2

The blanket of air surrounding the earth is called the atmosphere. The atmosphere is made up of a number of different gases

Question 3

What are the main gases in the atmosphere

Answer 3

78% Nitrogen
21% Oxygen
1% other gases (carbon dioxide, ozone and others)

Question 4

Give the characteristics of the troposphere

Answer 4

It is about 12km deep and 75% of the worlds gases are found here. All weather occurs here as well.

Question 5

Explain what happens to the Suns Ray’s when they enter the earths atmosphere.

Answer 5

25% is absorbed by atmosphere before it reaches earth
25% is deflected off dust and clouds in the atmosphere
50% is absorbed by the earths surface

Question 6

Explain latitude

Answer 6

The degrees north or south of the equator you are. Horizontal lines run round the earth to divide it. There are 90 degrees north and south of the equator.

Question 7

Why is it colder at the poles and warmer at the equator

Answer 7

This has to do with the curve of the surface of earth
The angle of the sun in the sky
The atmosphere.

The equator is directly facing the sun. Ray’s travel vertically and have less space to cover and less distance to travel so it is hot.

The Rays travel to the poles at an oblique angle they have more distance to cover and have more distance to travel so it is cold.

Question 8

Explain summer in the northern hemisphere

Answer 8

We are tilted towards the sun. We have longer days and shorter nights and it is warmer

Question 9

Explain winter in the northern hemisphere

Answer 9

We are tilted away from the sun. We have longer nights and shorter days and the weather is colder

Question 10

Explain wind

Answer 10

Moving air. Air moves from areas of high pressure to low pressure

Question 11

Explain atmospheric pressure

Answer 11

The weight of air pressing down on the earths surface

Question 12

How does wind form

Answer 12

Winds form because the earth is heated unevenly. Equatorial areas receive more wind.

When air is heated it rises to create an area of low pressure
When air cools its is heavier down travels down to create an area of height pressure
Air moves from high to low pressure areas

Question 13

What are the most common winds called

Answer 13

The prevailing winds

Question 14

What are the weather conditions areas of low pressure

Answer 14

Stormy and cloudy weather

Question 15

What are the weather conditions in areas of High pressure

Answer 15

Calm clear weather

Question 16

Explain briefly global wind patterns for the northern hemisphere

Answer 16

Equator air is heated and rises creating area of low pressure and warm air moves towards poles and begins to cool

Cool air presses downwards creating an area of high pressure around 30 degrees north.

Cool wire blows out from high pressure and some blows back to equator.

Cold air in Olaf regions sinks creating high pressure area and winds blow out from here.

At 60 degrees north cold polar winds meet southern winds to for, area of low pressure.

A third wind belt is formed between 30 degrees (HP) and 60 degrees (HP)

Question 17

Explain the coriolis effect

Answer 17

This is when the earth spinning on its axis from west to east causes winds to blow at an angle

Question 18

How is a warm front shown on a map

Answer 18

Red line or curve with semi circles on it

Question 19

How is a cold front shown on a map

Answer 19

Blue line or curve with triangles of it