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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| 1st day of Summer & Winter seasons, June 21 and December 21. They have the most tilt. The sun is shining on the Tropic of Cancer/Capricorn |
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Term
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Definition
| The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1° C |
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Term
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Definition
| The location on the Earth where the Sun is directly overhead |
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Term
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Definition
| the 2 days during the year when the declination of the Sun is at the equator. March Equinox(Vernal) -> March 20 or 21; September Equinox(Autumnal) -> September 22 or 23; all locations but poles recieve 12 hrs daylight |
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Term
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Definition
| Causes Earth's atmosphere to trap more heat energy at the Earth's surface & within the Atmosphere by absorbing and re-emitting long-wave energy. Of the long-wave energy emitted back to space, 90% is intercepted & absorbed by greenhouse gasses (GhG). Without the Greenhouse Effect Earth's average global temp would be -18°C. There has been an increase in GhG in the past few centuries, warming the planet |
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Term
Environmental Lapse Rate
(ELR) |
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Definition
| Rate which air temp increases or decreases as altitude changes. Average ELR in the trophosphere is an air temp decrease of 6.5°C per each 1000 meters increase in elevation |
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Term
Earth and Sun
Rotation, Revolution, Tilt |
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Definition
Rotation- occurs every 24 hrs. Earth spins on its Polar Axis, the line which bisects the Earth. Creates North and South Poles
Revolution- occurs every 365 days. Earth's orbit is elliptical, not circular
Tilt- 23.5°
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Term
Conduction
Convection
Advection |
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Definition
- transfer of heat from molecule to molecule
-Vertical transfer of heat
-Horizontal transfer of heat |
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Term
| Adiabatic Cooling/Warming |
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Definition
Cooling occurs by expansion and spreading of molecules
Warming occurs by compression and condensing molecules |
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Term
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Definition
Energy stored and released
-Evaporation is the transfer of liquid to gas; condensation is the transfer of gas to liquid |
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Term
Land & Water
Heating and Cooling |
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Definition
Heating: Land heats much faster that water b/c it has a lower specific heat
Cooling: Land cools much quicker than water same reason ↑
Moderate each other:
Atmospheric Circulation- Air Movement
Ocean Circulation- Currents |
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Term
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Definition
Trend of change in atmospheric temp due to lower altitude
Average Lapse Rate: Average vertical gradient within the atmosphere |
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Term
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Definition
1. Altitude
2. Latitude
3. Land/Water
4. Ocean Currents |
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Term
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Definition
| Divide between day and night |
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Term
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Definition
Reflectivity of anything
High or low |
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Term
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Definition
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[image] An atmospheric pressure system consisting of an area of high pressure and outward circular surface wind flow. In the Northern Hemisphere winds from an anticyclone blow clockwise, while Southern Hemisphere systems blow counterclockwise. |
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Term
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Definition
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Area of low pressure in the atmosphere that displays circular inward movement of air. In the Northern Hemisphere circulation is counterclockwise, while Southern Hemisphere cyclones have clockwise wind patterns. |
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Term
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Definition
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A regional scale wind system that predictably change direction with the passing of the seasons. Monsoon winds blow from land to sea in the winter, and from sea to land in the summer. Summer monsoons are often accompanied with precipitation. |
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Term
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Definition
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[image] Three-dimensional atmospheric circulation cell located at roughly 0 to 30° North and South of the equator. The Hadley cell consists of rising air (Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone) at the equator and descending air (subtropical highs) at 30° North and South. |
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Term
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Definition
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Weather front located typically in the mid-latitudes that separates arctic and polar air masses from tropical air masses. Along the polar front we get the development of the mid-latitude cyclone. Above the polar front exists the polar jet stream |
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Term
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Definition
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Dominant winds of the mid-latitudes. These winds move from the subtropical highs to the Sub-Polar from west to east |
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Term
Global Circulation
Atmospheric Pressure |
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Definition
| -Force exerted on Earth by gas molecules, weight of the atmosphere on us |
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Term
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Definition
Dynamic High- Strong, sinking air
Dynamic Low- strong, rising air
Thermal High- Very Cold Surface
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