Topic 1- Atmosphere As Global Shstem Flashcards
Where is most solar energy revieved and why
At the equator as suns rays are more conecntrated over a smaller surface area and strike at right angle.
Where is least solar energy recieved and why?
At poles as revieve at lower angle and take longer to heat up a larger surface area
Describe high pressure
Cold air is more dense which brings heat creating low rainfall and no clouds
Describe low pressure
Heated air is more dense so rises above cold air creating low pressure so lots of rainfall and clouds
Describe Low pressure belt
Warm air rises causing lots of rainfall and lots of clouds
Describe high pressure belt
Cold air sinks creating high pressure belt with no rainfall and no clouds
3 types of atmospheric circulation cells and what angle
Hadley-30
Ferrel-60
Polar-at top and bottom
Where do trade winds blow in southern hemisphere
South-east to north-west until they reach equator
Where do trade winds blow in northern hemisphere
North-east to south-west until they reach equator
Westerlies in southern hemisphere
Blow north-west to south-east
Westerlies in northern hemisphere
South-west to north-east until they reach pole
What happens at 30 degrees north and south
The cool air sinks,creating high pressure belt with cloudless skies and very low rainfall
What happens at 60 degrees north and south
Cold air is blow from poles meets warm air. Because warm air is less dense it rises and forms low pressure.
What occurs at poles
Cool air will sink forming a high pressure belt
Describe deep ocean currents
Ocean currents are large scales movements of water thst transfer heat energy from warmer to cooler regions.
Surface currents are caused by winds and help transfer heat away from equator
1)There are also deep ocean currents driven by differences in water density so when water freezes at poles,the surrounding water gets saltier which increases the density
2)as it gets denser it sinks causing warmer water to flow in at surface which creates a current
3) this warmer eater is cooled and sinks continouing the cycle which is called thermohaline circulation
Differences between tindouf-high pressure and singapore low-pressure
Tindouf-temperatures up to 36 degrees and low up to 14 degrees
-caused by high pressure systems as cool air is more dense
-warm air trapped at ground causing small amount of rain
-sit in high pressure belt
Singapore-high levels of rain and temperature (26 dgerees)
-on equot,low pressure system causing humid,wet weather
-heated air rises as less dense sinks causing clouds and rain
What happens at equator
At equator the suns warms the earth,which transfers heat to air sbove causing it to rise. This created a low pressure belt. As air rises,it cools and condenses forming clouds and rain
What occurs after 30 degrees north and south between 60 degrees north and south
What are trade winds and westerlies?
The cool air reaches the ground surface and moves as suface winds either back to equator or toeards poles:
-surface winds blowing towards equot are called trade winds
-trade winds blow from from SE the southern hemisphere and from NE in northern hemisphere. As the equot winds meet and heated by sun. This causes them to rise and form clouds
- surface winds blowing towards poles are called westerlies. They blow from NW in southern hemisphere and from SW in northern hemisphere
What occurs 60 degrees north and south of equator
Warmer surface winds meet cold air from poles. Warmer air is more dense so rise above the cold air creating low pressure and rain
What occurs at the poles
At the poles cool air sinks creating high pressure. High pressure drawn back to equator by surface winds
