Atmospheric Science Chapter 2
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Questions and Answers

What happens to air temperature as you increase in altitude within the troposphere?

  • It increases
  • It fluctuates randomly
  • It remains constant
  • It decreases (correct)

    • Why does warm air rise and cold air sink?

  • Because warm air is denser than cold air
  • Because warm air is less dense than cold air (correct)
  • Because cold air is heavier than warm air
  • Because warm air is heavier than cold air

    • What happens to air at an altitude of around 60 km?

  • It stays at the same altitude
  • It is pushed towards the poles (correct)
  • It disappears into space
  • It is pushed towards the equator

    • What type of weather is associated with low pressure areas?

    <p>Windy and rainy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What direction does air flow between areas of different pressure?

    <p>From high to low pressure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to air as it rises and cools?

    <p>It becomes cooler and denser</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of weather is associated with high pressure areas?

    <p>Dry and clear</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of warm air rising and cool air sinking?

    <p>The creation of high and low pressure areas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary factor responsible for the formation of low and high-pressure cells on Earth?

    <p>Rising and sinking air</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the pressure cell located closest to the Equator?

    <p>Hadley cell</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary driver of atmospheric circulation on Earth?

    <p>Rising and sinking air</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the pressure cell located at the highest latitude?

    <p>Polar cell</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of the rising and sinking air on Earth's surface?

    <p>Creation of both high and low-pressure zones</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason for the existence of seasons on Earth?

    <p>The tilt of the Earth's axis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the location of the Ferrel cell on Earth?

    <p>Between 30° and 60° latitude</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What would happen to temperatures if the Earth's axis were straight up and down?

    <p>They would remain fairly constant</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer?

    <p>They are the points where the sun is directly overhead on solstices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does the equator receive more direct and intense heat than the poles?

    <p>Because the poles are tilted away from the sun</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between air pressure and weight above it?

    <p>Air pressure is equal to the weight above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the hemisphere that is tilted towards the sun?

    <p>It receives more direct and intense heat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the equinoxes?

    <p>The sun is directly overhead the equator at noon on these days</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is responsible for the difference in surface area that sun rays need to pass through at the poles versus the equator?

    <p>The shape of the Earth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Temperature and Pressure

    • Air temperature decreases with increasing altitude within the troposphere.
    • Air pressure decreases with increasing altitude.
    • Warm air rises, cold air sinks due to density differences.
    • Warm air can only rise to ± 60 km before being pushed towards the poles by more air entering the low-pressure zone.

    Global Climate Patterns

    • Air flows from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas.
    • Rising warm air creates low-pressure areas with rainy, windy weather.
    • Sinking cooler air creates high-pressure areas with dry, clear weather.

    Solar Radiation and Seasons

    • The surface area the sun's rays need to pass through is greater at the poles than at the equator.
    • Two solstices occur: Tropic of Capricorn (Dec 21/22) and Tropic of Cancer (Jun 21/22).
    • Two equinoxes occur: Equator at noon (Mar 21/22 and Sep 22/23).
    • The tilt of the Earth's axis causes different hemispheres to receive more direct and intense heat, resulting in seasons.

    Wind Patterns and Pressure Zones

    • Wind flows from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas.
    • Rising and sinking air creates low-pressure and high-pressure cells/belts northwards and southwards of the equator.
    • Three major pressure cells: Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar, located at 0°, 30°, and 60° latitude respectively.
    • These cells are replicated on either side of the equator in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

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    Description

    Learn about the relationship between air temperature, air pressure, and altitude in the troposphere. Understand how the Earth's surface affects the air around it.

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