Term
| What is atmoshpheric pressure? |
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Definition
| Force exerted by the weight of the air. |
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Term
| Why/where does air rise or sink and what ‘weather’ is associated with each? |
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Definition
Air rises: if it is warmed- and then it cools and can hold less H20 vapor creating a WET CLIMATE
Air sinks: if it is cooled- and then it is warmed and it can hold more H20 vapor creating a DRY CLIMATE |
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Term
| Why is the equatorial region warmer than the poles? |
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Definition
Less solar energy (heating) at high latitudes (polar regions) because:
1)Has a larger “footprint” (dispersed energy) due to tilt
2)More energy reflected (higher albedo) b/c ice
3)Passes through more atmosphere (absorbed at high altitude) due to tilt |
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Term
Why does the earth have seasons? |
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Definition
Due to the tilt of the earth.
Northern and Southern hemispheres are alternately tilted toward and away from the sun.
longer days- more intense solar radiation during summer.
Equator has little seasonality/poles have extreme variation in season. |
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Term
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Definition
Air flows from high pressure to low pressure .
The steeper the pressure gradient the faster the wind blows. |
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Term
| What force drives atmospheric circulation? |
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Definition
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Term
What is the coriolis effect?
Northern Hemisphere? Southern Hemisphere? |
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Definition
The effect of the Earth's rotation with respect to moving objects.
Northern- to the right
Southern- to the left |
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Term
| How does land influence climate? |
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Definition
Land heats heat faster than water.
Heat capacity of land less than water.
Low pressure over continents in summer. |
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Term
| How does the jet stream influence climate? |
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Definition
Steers fronts as they meander.
If we are under jet stream its hot.
If above jet stream its cold. |
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Term
| How do mountains affect climate? |
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Definition
| causes air masses to rise, cool, and loose moisture |
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Term
| What is a sea breeze and what causes it? |
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Definition
Day: Land heats up more than ocean
Hot air rises-low pressure
ocean cooler-hi pressure
winds from ocean to land- onshore breeze
Night: land cools down more than ocean
cool air sinks- high pressure
ocean warmer- low pressure
winds blow offshore!
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Term
| What is fog and what causes it? |
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Definition
| forms when water condenses from air due to interaction with water of different tempurature. |
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Term
| What are monsoons and what causes them? |
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Definition
very strong seasonal consistent winds.
Winter- land cools down = High P
-Winds from continent to ocean
Summer - land heats up = Low P
-Winds from ocean à continent, Brings moisture = rainy season |
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Term
| How do you name winds versus currents? |
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Definition
winds are named by where they COME FROM
currents are name by where they GO TO |
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Term
| What does the 3 cell model no account for? |
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Definition
| Continents, mountain, jet stream, sea breezes. |
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