Global Circulation

Question 1

Uk wet and cloudy?

Answer 1

Located at about 55° North

Question 2

Desert Sahara, North Africa?

Answer 2

Found at 30° North and South of the equator.

Question 3

First stage of hurricane.

Answer 3

A strong upward movement of air draws water vapour up from the warm ocean surface.

Question 4

Second stage.

Answer 4

This evaporated air cools as it rises and condenses to form towering thunderstorm clouds (nimbus).

Question 5

Third stage.

Answer 5

As the air condenses it releases heat which powers the storm and draws up more and more water from the ocean.

Question 6

Fourth stage.

Answer 6

Several smaller thunderstorms join together to form a giant spinning storm. When surface winds reach an average of 120km per hour (74 miles per hour) the storm officially becomes a tropical storm.

Question 7

Fifth stage.

Answer 7

The storm now develops an eye at its centre where air descends rapidly. The outer edge of the eye is the eyeball where the most intense weather conditions (strong winds and heavy rain) are felt.

Question 8

Sixth stage.

Answer 8

As the storm is carried across the ocean by the prevailing winds, it continues to gather strength.

Question 9

Seventh stage.

Answer 9

On reaching land the storms energy supply (evaporated water) is cut off. Friction with the land slows it down and it begins to weaken. If the storm reaches warm seas after crossing the land, it may pick up strength again.

Question 10

How are tropical storms formed?

Answer 10

Tropical storms form over warm oceans (above 27°), which explains why they are found in the tropics.

Question 11

When do tropical storms form?

Answer 11

They form in the summer and autumn when the sea temperature are at their highest.

Question 12

Where do tropical storms form?

Answer 12

Most form 5-15° north and south of the equator.

Question 13

What causes tropical storms to spin?

Answer 13

Coriolis force.

Question 14

What are the structure and features of a tropical storm?

Answer 14

Distribution, structure, frequency and intensity.

Question 15

How are tropical storms monitored?

Answer 15

Satellites and aircraft.

Question 16

Examples of tropical storms being predicted.

Answer 16

2013, Cyclone Phailin was successfully predicted.

Question 17

How can planning for a tropical storm reduce the risks?

Answer 17

Preparing disasters supply lids, having fuels in vehicles, storing loose objects, planning with family what to do and knowing where official evacuation points are.

Question 18

How can the effects of tropical storms be reduced?

Answer 18

Monitoring, planning, protection and prediction.

Question 19

Long term flood responses.

Answer 19

Dredging rivers, road levels raised, flood defences, more river pumping stations and river banks raised.

Question 20

Natural causes of climate change.

Answer 20

Natural oscillations (ENSO), Sun sports or solar flares, star radiation being retained, Summer ice cover is decreasing, Natural aerosols (fire, grain, sand and dust).

Question 21

Unnatural causes of climate change.

Answer 21

Burning things creates ash aerosols, aerosols affect cloud formation, burning fossil fuels creates CO, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, Greenhouse gas, Sea levels rising, ice melting and rainfall patterns changing.

Question 22

What are Earths 3 distinct cycles called?

Answer 22

Milankovitch cycles.

Question 23

What are the Milankovitch cycles?

Answer 23

Eccentricity, precession and axial tilt.

Question 24

What is eccentricity?

Answer 24

This describes the path of the Earth as it orbits the sun. The Earths or in is not fixed - it changed from being almost circular to being mildly elliptical. A complete cycle - from circular to elliptical and back to circular again - occurs about every 100,000 years.

Question 25

What is Precession?

Answer 25

This describes a natural “wobble” rather like a spinning top. A complete wobble cycle takes about 26,000 years. The Earth’s wobble accounts for certain regions of the world - such as northern Norway - experiencing very long days and very long nights at carts in times of the year.

Question 26

What is axial tilt?

Answer 26

The Earth spins on its axis, causing night and day. The Earth’s axis is currently tilted at an angle of 23.5°. However, over a period of about 41,000 years, the tilt of the Earth’s axis moves back and forth between two extremes - 21.5° and 24.5°.

Question 27

How long is a sunspot cycle?

Answer 27

11 years.

Question 28

What happens when sunspot activity is at a maximum?

Answer 28

It gives off more heat, large explosions occur on the surface of the sun resulting in solar flares.

Question 29

What happens when sunspot activity is at a minimum?

Answer 29

The solar output is reduced, this can lead to lower temperatures on earth.

Question 30

Name 3 alternative energy sources?

Answer 30

Hydro-electricity, nuclear power and (solar, wind, and tides).

Question 31

What is the Kyoto protocol?

Answer 31

170 countries agreed to reduce carbon admissions by an average of 5.2% below their 1990 levels by 2012.

Question 32

What is the Copenhagen Accord?

Answer 32

Pledged to reduce admissions with fincaicl support for developing nations to help them cope with the impacts of climate change.

Question 33

What is the “Paris Agreement 2015”?

Answer 33

195 countries adopted the first legally binding climate deal. They planned to peak greenhouse gas emissions, to keep global temperatures increase below 2°C. To review its progress every 5 years.

Question 34

What’s COP29?

Answer 34

First binding agree,ent to provide funding for developing countries at risk of climate change. Provide $300B a year by 2035 to LIC that need assistance in protecting themselves against the impacts of climate change.