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Physical Geography
Astronomy, Wind Pressure, & Weather
61
Geography
Undergraduate 3
03/03/2012

Additional Geography Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Perihelion
Definition
The point of the earth's orbit where the distance between the earth and sun is least. (~147 million km or 91.5 million mi) Occuring January when the sun is closest to earth. 
Term
Aphelion
Definition
The point of the earth's orbit where the distance between the earth is greatest. (~152 million km or 94.5 million mi) Occurs in July when its farthest.
Term
Spring Equinox
Definition
March 20 or 21, when the subsolar point is located at the Equator
Term
Summer Solstice
Definition
June 20 or 21, when the subsolar point is located at the Tropic of Cancer.
Term
Fall Equinox
Definition
September 22 or 23, when the subsolar point is located at the Equator.
Term
Winter Solstice
Definition
December 21 or 22, when the subsolar point is at the Tropic o Capricorn.
Term
Wavelength
Definition
The distance between adjacent wave crests or wave troughs.
Term
Wave amplitude
Definition
The overall height of any given wave as measured from the wave trough to the wave crest.
Term
Electromagnetic spectrum
Definition
The radimt energy produced by the sun that is measured in progressive wavelengths.
Term
Longwave
Definition
The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that includes thermal infrared radiation.
Term
Shortwave radiation
Definition
The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that includes gamma rays, X-rays, ultra-violet radiation, visible light, and near-infrared radiation.
Term
Insolation
Definition
Amount of solar radiation measured in watts per square meter (w/m2) that strikes a surface perpendicular to the Sun's incoming rays. 
Term
Radiation
Definition
Energy that is transmitted in the form of rays or waves.
Term
Conduction
Definition
The transfer of heat energy from one substance to another by direct physical contact.
Term
Convection
Definition
A circular cell of moving matter that contains warm material moving up and cooler matter moving down.
Term
Ozone Layer
Definition
The layer of the atmosphere that contains high concentrations of ozone, which protect the earth from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Term
Air pressure
Definition
The force that air molecules exert on a surface due to their weight.
Term
Maritime vs. Continental effect
Definition
The difference in annual and daily tempreature that exists between coastal locations and those that are surrounded by large bodies of land.
Term
Maritime
Definition
A place that is close to a large body of water that moderates temperature.
Term
Continental
Definition
A place that is surrounded by a large body of land and that experiences a large annual range of temperature.
Term
Urban Heat Island
Definition
The relatively warm temperatures associated with cities that occur because paved surfaces and urban structures absorb and release radiation differently than the surrounding countryside.
Term
High-pressure system
Definition
A rotating column of air that descends toward the surface of the Earth where it diverges.
Term
Low-pressure system
Definition
A rotating column of air where air converges at the surface and subsequently lifts.
Term
cyclone
Definition
Low-pressure systems
Term
anticyclone
Definition
high-pressure system
Term
Advection
Definition
The horizontal transfer of air.
Term
Pressure gradient force
Definition
The difference in barometric pressure that exists between adjacent zone of low and high pressure that results in air flow.
Term
Coriolis Force
Definition
The force created by the earth's rotation that causes winds to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
Term
Equatorial trough
Definition
Core of low pressure zone associated with Intertropical Convergence Zone.
Term
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
Definition
Band of low pressure, calm winds, and clouds in tropical latitudes where air converges from the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.
Term
Trade Winds
Definition
The primary wind system in the tropics that flows toward the ITCZ on the equatorial side of the Subtropical High-Pressure system. These winds flow to the southwest in the Northern Hemisphere and to the northwest in the Southern Hemisphere. 
Term
Tropical Easterlies
Definition
Band of easterly winds that exists where Northern and Southern trade winds converge.
Term
Monsoon
Definition
The seasonal change in wind direction that occurs in subtropical locations due to the migration of the ITCZ and the subtropical High-Pressure System.
Term
Subtropical High Pressure System
Definition
Band of high air pressure, calm winds, and clear skies that exists at about 25 degrees to 30 degrees N and S latitude.
Term
Sea Breeze
Definition
Daytime circulatory system along coasts where winds flow from a zone of high pressure over water to a zone of relatively low pressure over land.
Term
Land Breeze
Definition
Nighttime circulatory system along coasts where winds from a zone of high pressure over land flow to a zone of relatively low pressure over water.
Term
Valley Breeze
Definition
Upslope airflow that develops when mountain slopes heat up due to re-radiation and conduction over the course of the day.
Term
Mountain Breeze
Definition
Downslope airflow that develops when mountain slopes cool off at night and relatively low pressure exists in valleys.
Term
Chinook winds
Definition
Downslope airflow that results when a zone of high air pressure exists on one side of a mountain range and a zone of low pressure exists on the other.
Term
Air Mass
Definition
A large body of air in the lower atmosphere that has distinct temperature and humidity characteristics.
Term
Stationary Front
Definition
A boundary where contrasting air masses are flowing parallel to one another.
Term
Downdraft
Definition
A rapidly moving current of cool air that flows downward in a thunderstrom.
Term
Updrafts
Definition
An area of rapidly flowing air that is moving upward within a thunderstorm.
Term
Albedo 
Definition
The ability to absorb heat. Water reflects sunlight, molecules spread and wind helps transfer heat.
Term
Maximum Humidity 
Definition
How much water in the atmosphere.
Term
Specific humidity
Definition
Exact humidity, water is in the air at that moment.
Term
Relative humidity
Definition
The ratio between the specific and maximum humidity of a definable body of air.
Term
Dew-point tempreature
Definition
The temperature at which condensation occurs in a definable body of air.
Term
Adiabatic processes
Definition
Changes in temperature that occur due to variations in air pressure.
Term
Dry Adiabatic lapse rate
Definition
The rate at which an unsaturated body of air cools while lifting or warms while descending. This rate is 10 degree celecius/1000m (5.5 degrees F/1000 ft).
Term
Cirrus
Definition
Thin and whispy, high-level clouds; also known as mare's tails.[image]
Term
Cirrocumulus 
Definition
Appears as white patches; usually formed from Cirrus or Cirrostratus torn by winds; indicates approaching surface winds.[image]
Term
Stratus
Definition
Thick, dull gray, low-lying layers; occurs as fog at ground level, often produces mist or drizzle.[image]
Term
Nimbostratus (Nimbus)
Definition

dark rain clouds; form near the ground but usually extend upward.

[image]

Term
Warm Front
Definition
A frontal boundary where warm air is advancing into relatively cool air. This front is typically associated with slow, steady precipitation. 
Term
Cold Front
Definition
A frontal boundary where cold air is advancing into relatively warm air. This front is typically associated with intense rain of short duration. 
Term
Tropical Depression
Definition
A tropical low-pressure system with central sustained winds ranging between 20 knots and 34 knots (23 mph and 39 mph).
Term
Tropical Storm
Definition
A tropical low-pressure system with maximum sustained winds between 35 knots and 63 knots (39 mph and 73 mph).
Term
Hurricane
Definition
A tropical circulatory system with maximum sustained winds greater than 63 knots (73 mph).
Term
Blizzard
Definition
Deadly winterstorms that are a combonation of blowing snow and wind resulting in very low visibilities. Accompanied also by heavy snowfall and serve cold temperature.
Term
Saharan Air Layer
Definition
Is a mass of very dry, dusty air coming from Western and Northen Africa. Occurs late spring, summer and early fall where it moves 3-5 days across the tropical North Atlantic Ocean. It can cause significant negative impacts on tropical cyclone intensely forming.
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