atmospheric circulation

Question 1

What is causing uneven heating of the earth’s surface?

Answer 1

The spherical shape and tilt of the earth’s axis (23.5)

Question 2

why does the equator receive more radiation

Answer 2

Earth is a sphere thus equator receives more radiation than poles
- Shorter atmospheric path
- Concentrated in smaller area
- Greater temperatures at equator b/c larger circumference
- Drives heat movement (atmospheric circulation) from equator toward
poles
- Drives seasonal changes

Question 3

describe solar driven air circulation

Answer 3

uneven heating drives air circulation patterns and consequently
precipitation patterns
- Sun heats air at equator and warm air rises (air cools, condenses -> rain
(releasing heat back))
- Air dries moves N/S (cooling and becoming dense) and sinks at 30
degrees lat.
- Dry air draws moisture from the land àdeserts
- Air continuing N and S completes thermal loop (Hadley cell)
- Increase elevation = air volume increases b/c sphere is bigger

Question 4

what is the coriolis effect

Answer 4

the Coriolis Effect: describes how air, water or another object moves over a rotating surface

Question 5

what does the coriolis effect impact

Answer 5

Surface level patterns
- Winds in the Northern Hemisphere deflected right =counterclockwise
(east)
- Winds in the Southern Hemisphere deflected left=clockwise (west)