Physical Geography Flashcards

Question

describe structure of the atmosphere

Answer 1

80% gases found in troposphere thermosphere ———————mesopause mesosphere ———————stratopause stratosphere ———————tropopause troposphere troposphere varies in thickness from 8km in poles to 16km at the equator

Answer 2

an open system the energy heats the surface which emits long wave energy back into the atmosphere which is absorbed by gases 68% absorbed 50 surface 21 clouds albedo = 32% its the reflective index of clouds and the earths surface

Answer 3

heat transferred away from the tropics to prevent overheating and the poles freezing winds such as jet streams, hurricanes, depressions are responsible for 70% ocean’s currents = 30% eg N atlantic drift

Answer 4

the movement of air caused by uneven heating of the earth. air is warmed by the tropical land/sea pressure gradient force - how wind apart isobars are wider = calmer Coriolis effect = earths rotation moving faster at the equator than poles gravity - different temperature and force exerted by gravity as pressure decreases with height friction lowest 1000m of air is slowed by friction

Answer 5

convection- transfer of energy by the movement of a medium eg water to evaporate radiation- sun heating ground conduction- sea heats closest land

Answer 6

shows how energy is redistributed across the globe ITCZ low pressure belt - inter tropical convergence zone , high insolation , humid , at equator, surface evaporation, heavy rainfall when condenses subtropical high pressure belt - 30° N and S air carried polewards descends in high pressure area found between hadley and ferrel cells formation of deserts humid little rainfall polar front low pressure belts. - 60-70° N and S Air converges at low altitudes to ascend along the boundaries between cool polar air and warm tropical air wind between pressure belts most originate close to subtropical high pressure belt

Answer 7

hadley - largest from equator to 30-40° N and S trade winds blow towards equator and ascend near equator ferrel - air converges at low altitudes to ascend along cool polar air and warm subtropical air 60-70° N and S moved in opposite direction to others polar - smallest and weakest 60/70 - poles N and S air sinks over highest latitudes and flows out towards lower latitudes at the surface

Answer 8

latitude- high latitude day length varies as sun height does not altitude - warmed by heat radiated off the earth’s surface temp drops 0.6 every 100 m continentality - land/water ability yo absorb and retain radiation seasonality - earth tilted so n hemisphere 6 months closer to the sun prevailing winds/ ocean currents - determined by area of origin type of land surface - white reflects more

Answer 9

1. How much water vapour is in the air 2. Air has 100% humidity 3. Process of reducing heat through a change in air pressure through volume expansion 4. Warm moist air forced to rise over a mountain range when descending creates dry low rain 5. Meeting of 2 air masses 6. When the ground is intensely heated by insolation air above rises cooling abatically

Answer 10

1. Large body of air with similar temperature and humidity characteristics over 100s of km 2. Shows air pressure at the surface using isobars 3. Geostationary satellites orbit at 22300 miles above earths surface

Answer 11

1. Between troposphere and stratosphere 17km above the earth at the equator strongest and most variable temp gradients meandering N and S 2. Formed when polar air moves towards the equator while tropical air is moving towards the poles

Answer 12

Occurs 30-40 N and S Dominated by upper westerlies by the orientation of the polar jet streams Refer to notebook

Answer 13

3km diameter air sinking from 8km towards the surface involving one air mass lasting days to weeks Cloud formation is inhibited so settled weather small cloud cover wide isobars light winds Summer - warm, dry, fine weather long sunny conditions high sun, can trigger thunderstorms, morning dew/mist, light winds, wildfires, flash floods, 17 hours daylight Winter - below 0 freezing, settled conditions, frost, fog, clear skies cause heat loss, light winds, frozen pipes burst - flooding, hypothermia in elders, icy pavements - injury’s

Answer 14

Pressure/precipitation reverses occurs 3-7 years lasting 9-12 months Tropical trade winds causes warm water to build up on western side - warm wet conditions on eastern side cold waters are pulled up - cool dry conditions. Air travels towards the east descending - walker circulation Impacts - decreased rice production, Australian droughts, flooding in SA and CA, hard to fish in Peru due to change in sea temp, wet in the UK, hurricane seasons

Answer 15

Large intense large pressure systems with high winds, heavy rain, storm surges, Hot humid conditions over tropical oceans, not within 5 degrees of the equator move westward. 27C+ water, 119km+ winds, up to 11000 km. eye = 200-300km pressure under 800 mb, eye creates peace, 1st June - 30th November, land = dissipates

Answer 16

Surface air drawn upwards Strong convection uplift of hot damp air Beyond 5 degree of equator corolis effect occurs Clouds form spiral bands Rising air carries energy from evaporation released by condensation causing precipitation Process strengthens winds under 120km Cumulonimbus clouds extend to top of troposphere 12km Mature eye forms causing air to sink bringing calm Surface winds spiral inward towards low centre cyclonic flow Aloft air spirals outwards and clockwise Only decays and dies when moves over land or cold water

Physical Geography Flashcards

(40 cards)