Geography: Atmosphere and Energy Transfer
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What important function do ocean currents serve in relation to temperature?

  • They push warm water from the poles towards the equator.
  • They transport hot and cold water around the globe. (correct)
  • They stabilize temperature by preventing heat loss.
  • They only move cold water toward the poles.

    • What is one effect of changes in air pressure?

  • It has no impact on humidity.
  • It can change wind patterns. (correct)
  • It solely determines weather forecasting.
  • It only affects temperature.

    • Where on Earth is energy from the sun most directly concentrated?

  • In coastal areas.
  • At the equator. (correct)
  • Near the poles.
  • In high-altitude regions.

    • What happens to air pressure when the temperature increases?

    <p>Air pressure decreases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the average normal air pressure at sea level?

    <p>1013.2 millibars.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be inferred about wind belts?

    <p>They are influenced by atmospheric pressure differences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of atmospheric pressure variations?

    <p>Changes in wind patterns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the energy received from the Sun by the Earth?

    <p>It can be either absorbed or reflected by various parts of the Earth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At which location was the highest recorded wind speed observed?

    <p>Mt. Washington, New Hampshire.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does land heat up faster than water?

    <p>It takes more energy to warm equal areas of water compared to land.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes wind to form?

    <p>The movement of air due to differences in air pressure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the tilt of the Earth's axis?

    <p>23.5 degrees.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where does more insolation strike the Earth?

    <p>Equator.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the tilt of the Earth affect the seasons?

    <p>It results in varying lengths of day and night throughout the year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about the heating of the Earth is correct?

    <p>Different areas receive varying amounts of insolation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does the Sun’s energy have on wind patterns?

    <p>It influences the expansion and movement of air.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary effect of friction on wind movement near the Earth's surface?

    <p>It slows air movement, altering wind speed and direction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to wind deflection as it approaches the equator?

    <p>It becomes nonexistent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements accurately describes geostrophic flow?

    <p>It blows parallel to isobars under specific conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true about the behavior of planetary winds?

    <p>They are influenced by the Coriolis effect.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do land and sea influence wind movement?

    <p>Land heats and cools faster than water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes unstable air masses?

    <p>They are rising and capable of causing precipitation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes stable air masses?

    <p>They contain heavy, subsiding air.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which air mass is characterized as hot and moist, mainly found at the equator?

    <p>Equatorial Air Masses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily drives the movement of air known as wind?

    <p>The uneven heating of the Earth's surface</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about energy absorption by land and water is accurate?

    <p>It takes more energy to warm an equal area of water than land</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the tilt of the Earth affect seasonal heating?

    <p>It causes variations in insolation throughout the year</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to wind direction as wind speed increases?

    <p>Wind deflection increases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way does air pressure change with temperature variations?

    <p>Higher temperature results in lower air pressure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is true about geostrophic flow?

    <p>It results from a balance of PGF and CF.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of earth's energy balance involves the reflection of sunlight?

    <p>Albedo</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does friction affect wind dynamics at higher altitudes?

    <p>It has minimal impact on wind movement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the equator generally warmer than the poles?

    <p>It receives more insolation due to the angle of sunlight</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of stable air masses?

    <p>They are heavy, associated with high air pressure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to warmer air in relation to cooler air?

    <p>It rises, creating areas of lower pressure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What leads to the deflection of planetary winds?

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

    What is the significance of the Earth's axis tilt in relation to daily temperature variations?

    <p>It creates variations in sun length throughout the seasons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes the state of air near the equator?

    <p>Deflection is nonexistent between 0 and 5 degrees.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factors significantly influence wind patterns over land and sea?

    <p>Variations in heating and cooling rates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What best describes unstable air masses?

    <p>They are ascending, often resulting in cloudy weather.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What drives the global air circulation patterns?

    <p>The difference in atmospheric pressure due to uneven heating</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of cold ocean currents moving toward the equator?

    <p>They cool coastal regions along their path</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does atmospheric pressure exert itself?

    <p>Equally in all directions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What results from the differences in energy received from the sun across the globe?

    <p>Variations in atmospheric pressure and resultant air movements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors contributes to changes in wind?

    <p>Air pressure fluctuations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does temperature play in atmospheric pressure differences?

    <p>Higher temperatures cause air to expand, leading to lower pressure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes the highest recorded wind speed and its location?

    <p>The speed of 372 km/h was recorded at Mt. Washington on April 12, 1934.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What drives the movement of warm ocean currents toward the poles?

    <p>The Coriolis effect and wind patterns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Introduction to Geography

    • Welcome to Geography

    Atmosphere Plan

    • The Atmosphere plan covers:
      • Earth's Energy Balance
      • Global Air Circulation
      • Africa's Weather and Climate
      • Droughts and Desertification
      • Mapwork

    Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

    • Earth's energy source is the Sun.
    • Energy drives winds and ocean currents.
    • Energy enables plant growth and food production.

    Energy from the Sun

    • When Earth receives energy from the Sun, it can be:
      • Reflected back into space.
      • Absorbed by the atmosphere.
      • Absorbed by land and water

    Image of Energy Transfer

    • Some solar energy passes through the atmosphere and heats the Earth's surface.
    • Some energy is reflected into space by clouds, aerosols, and the atmosphere.
    • Some solar energy is reflected by the Earth's surface.
    • Some solar energy is absorbed by the atmosphere.
    • Energy not reflected or absorbed by the atmosphere heats the Earth's surface.

    Land vs Water Absorption

    • Land absorbs the Sun's energy faster than water.
    • This difference results in noticeable temperature shifts during the day (e.g., hot sand at beach)

    Methods of Energy Transfer

    • Conduction: Energy transfer through direct contact.
    • Convection: Energy transfer through the movement of molecules.
    • Radiation: Energy transfer through electromagnetic waves.

    Earth's Existence

    • Earth's atmosphere holds the right amount of the Sun's energy, creating conditions suitable for life.

    Wind

    • Uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the Sun causes warmer air to expand and become less dense than cold air, leading to air pressure differences.
    • Warmer air rises, causing air pressure to decrease.
    • Wind is the movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. 

    Components of the Atmosphere

    • Wind is the movement of air from areas of high pressure to low pressure. 
    • Mid-latitude, Hadley, and Polar cells are the main components of the atmosphere.
    • Trade winds, Easterlies, Westerlies are wind belts occurring in each of these cells.

    High/Low Pressure

    • Areas with rising air typically have low pressure.
    • Areas with sinking air typically have high pressure.

    Earth's Rotation

    • Earth rotates once every 24 hours, causing day and night.
    • Earth's axis is tilted at 23.5 degrees, causing unequal lengths of day and night throughout the year.

    Seasonal Heating

    • The angle of incoming sunlight, along with Earth’s tilt and rotation, affect the amount of solar energy received on different parts of the planet.

    Seasons and the Earth

    • Earth's orbit and tilt cause seasonal changes, which have effects on heating.
    • The Equinox occurs when the sun is directly above the equator and the poles are neither tilted towards or away from the sun.
    • In the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice the sun is directly above the 23.5 degree N latitude.
    • In the Southern Hemisphere winter solstice the sun is directly above the 23.5 degree S latitude.

    Vocabulary

    • Latitude: Distance from the equator.
    • Longitude: Distance from the Prime Meridian.
    • Insolation: Incoming solar radiation.
    • Revolution: Orbit of Earth around the sun.

    Unequal Heating

    • The Earth is not heated equally.
    • The equator receives more direct sunlight than the poles.

    Latitudinal Heating

    • Temperature differences exist between the equator and the poles.
    • This is due to the angle of the sun's rays, relating to sunlight intensity varying with latitude.
    • Sunlight is more direct at the equator, leading to greater heating.

    Types of Heating (Image)

    • Shows the Earth's different regions experiencing varying levels of sunlight intensity—direct versus low.
    • Displays the Earth's tilt and rotation.

    Polar Insolation / Equatorial Insolation

    • Polar regions receive less direct sunlight, causing less insolation.
    • Equatorial regions receive more direct sunlight resulting in higher insolation.

    Earth's Axis

    • Earth's tilted axis affects the distribution of solar energy and creates seasons.
    • Different hemispheres receive varying amounts of sunlight over the year resulting in different seasons.

    Recap on Seasonal Heating

    • Seasons cause differences in heating.

    Table of Seasonal Changes

    • A table to be completed using the Seasons.mp4 clip.
    • Shows the relationship between the Earth's position in its orbit, vertical rays of sunlight, and seasons in each hemisphere.
    • Includes length of day/night in Northern and Southern hemispheres.

    Energy Transfer and Balance

    • Transfer of energy and energy balance is a broader topic.

    Ocean Currents

    • Ocean currents play a vital role in distributing heat around the globe.
    • Cold currents bring cold water from the poles toward the equator and warm currents bring warm water towards the poles.
    • If the current stopped, global temperatures would be drastically affected.

    Winds

    • What is wind?
    • How does wind affect temperature?
    • What are major wind belts?

    Air Masses and Fronts (Image)

    • Shows various air masses and fronts.
    • Illustrates the different types of air flow.

    Homework

    • Complete Activity 4 on page 80.

    Global Air Circulation

    • Different heating of the Earth creates different atmospheric pressures.
    • This difference in pressure causes horizontal and vertical movements, leading to global air circulation.

    Atmospheric Pressure

    • Earth's unequal heating leads to variations in atmospheric pressure.
    • Explains that energy from the sun hits the equator most directly.
    • The amount of energy spread out over a wider area at the poles is the same as at the equator.

    Energy Recap (Image)

    • An image of the Earth showing insolation (receiving solar energy).
    • Illustrates direct sunlight at the equator and the spread-out sunlight at higher latitudes.
    • Explains that energy is distributed unequally across the Earth.

    Atmospheric Pressure (Recap)

    • Differences in heating lead to different atmospheric pressures.
    • These differences result in various air movement patterns, causing global air circulation.

    Diagram of Global Air Circulation

    • Image showing Hadley, Polar, and Ferrel cells.
    • Includes different wind belts (trades, westerlies, easterlies, etc.) and high/low pressure zones.

    Highest Recorded Winds

    • Mt. Washington, New Hampshire experienced the highest recorded wind speed of 272 km/h in 1934

    Understanding Air Pressure

    • Changes in air pressure impact wind, humidity, and temperature, impacting weather forecasting.
    • Normal air pressure is 1013.2 millibars.

    Air Pressure Defined

    • Air pressure is the pressure from the weight of air above.
    • Its exerted in all directions at any point in space.

    Watch Air Pressure

    • A video clip on air pressure.

    World Pressure Belts

    • Atmospheric pressure is defined as the weight of the Earth’s atmosphere.
    • Temperature has a key role.
    • Rising air creates low pressure (convergence); sinking air creates high pressure (divergence).

    Recap of Air Circulation

    • Discussion of how the three cells (Hadley, Polar, Ferrel) function.
    • Explain the convergence and divergence involved in the different cells.

    Tri-Cellular Circulation

    • Earth's weather patterns are influenced by three major cells: Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar.

    Hadley Cells

    • Air rises at the equator, cools, and loses moisture.
    • The air then diverges/moves towards the poles.
    • Descend near 30 degrees N/S creating subtropical highs.

    Hadley Cells (Continued)

    • Rising, cooling, and moist air, lead to strong high pressure belts called subtropical highs.
    • The subsiding air creates warm, dry regions.

    ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone/Image)

    • Image depicting the ITCZ.
    • Explains the zone of low pressure at the Equator due to the rising air.

    Ferrel Cells

    • Air at 30 degrees N/S descends and moves towards 60 degrees N/S.
    • Air from Hadley and Polar cells meets, leading to converging and rising of air forming a low pressure belt.
    • The descending air in the Ferrel cell warms up as it moves towards higher latitudes.

    Polar Cells

    • Air at the poles (60N/S) cools, slows, and descends creating a high pressure region. 
    • Air moving toward the poles then converges with air from the Ferrel cells.
    • This convergence creates strong fronts and low-pressure systems at the poles.

    Africa's Weather and Climate

    • Discussion of various climate types in Africa.
    • Includes highveld/temperate, semi-arid/desert, Mediterranean, Humid subtropical, tropical, and equatorial climates.

    Africa's Weather and Climate (Continued)

    • Descriptions of climatic conditions - temperature, distinct/lack of seasons, precipitation patterns for each region.

    Factors Influencing Temperature and Rainfall

    • Factors determining temperature and rainfall:
      • Distance from the equator (latitude)
      • Distance from the sea
      • Height above sea level (altitude)
      • Ocean currents and winds
      • Mountains (aspect)

    Distance from the Equator (Latitude)

    • The equator is the hottest point as it receives the most concentrated sunlight.
    • Locations farther away from the equator receive less direct sunlight and experience colder temperatures.

    Distance from the Equator (Rainfall)

    • Warmer air at the equator holds more moisture and tends to rise, resulting in more rainfall at the Equator.

    Distance from the Sea (Temperature)

    • Coastal areas have milder temperatures due to slower-changing ocean temperatures compared to land.

    Distance from the Sea (Rainfall)

    • Coastal areas tend to receive more rain because of the warmer ocean waters that evaporate and then rise as moist air, creating clouds and precipitation.

    Mountains (Temperature)

    • Mountain temperatures decrease with increasing elevation due to thinner atmosphere allowing the warm air to dissipate easily.

    Mountains (Rainfall)

    • The side of the mountain facing the wind (windward) experiences increased rainfall compared to the side sheltered from the wind (leeward).

    Subsidence and Convergence

    • What is subsidence? / What is convergence?
    • How do clouds form?
    • How does saturated air, with water vapor, rise, cool, and condense?

    Convergence

    • Air rushing in and rising leads to low pressure.
    • As the air rises, it cools at 1°C per 100m and the capacity to hold water vapor decreases.

    Condensation/Clouds/Water Vapor

    • Air consists of millions of particles that constantly collide.
    • Heating increases energy (kinetic energy).
    • When warm air rises, the ability to hold water vapor decreases leading to condensation.

    Subsidence

    • Descending air warms adiabatically resulting in a decrease in pressure.
    • Decreasing pressure means a higher capacity to hold water vapor.
    • Condensation capacity increase, without heat no more clouds.

    ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone)

    • Massive low-pressure belt around the equator.
    • The convergence of Tropical Easterlies results in tropical conditions.

    Shifting ITCZ

    • The ITCZ does not stay in a fixed position, rather it follows the sun, shifting with the changing seasons.

    Subtropical High Pressure Belts

    • Located between 15-30 degrees latitude N & S, subsiding air creates these high-pressure belts with little rainfall, common in deserts.

    Polar Front

    • Convergence of air at the fronts that causes air to rise leading to mid-latitude cyclones, that affect Cape Town in winter.

    Seasonal Changes

    • The ITCZ also shifts with the seasons, leading to changing weather patterns around the globe.

    Summer Subtropical HP Belts (Image)

    • This image highlights the location of Subtropical high-pressure systems in January/Summer.

    Winter Subtropical HP Belts (Image)

    • This image highlights the location of Subtropical high-pressure systems in July/Winter.

    Complete Activities 8 and 9

    Local Winds: Fohn Winds

    • Warm, dry winds descending from mountain slopes on the leeward side.
    • Windward side (approaching side) experiences cloud formation and precipitation loss.
    • Foehn winds (leeward) are warm and dry and rapidly heat up as they descend.

    Lapse Rates

    • Measurement of how much air temperature changes with changing elevation/height.
    • Use the Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DALR) and/or the Wet Adiabatic Lapse Rate (WALR).

    Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DALR)

    • For unsaturated dry air, there is rapid heating/cooling due to lack of moisture.
    • Measures at 1°C per 100m.

    Wet Adiabatic Lapse Rate (WALR)

    • Measuring how saturated air changes, which are cooler/slower.
    • Measured at 0.5°C per 100m.

    Diagram of Foehn Winds

    • Illustrates the process of moist air encountering a mountain range, where the rain shadow occurs through the leeward side.

    Why Should We Care?

    • The effects of weather on global issues.

    Droughts

    • Effects of drought on people and the environment.

    Avalanches

    • Impact of avalanches.

    Africa's Weather and Climate (Continued)

    • Summarization of climatic conditions in Africa.

    Factors That Influence Temperature and Rainfall

    • Factors influencing temperature and rainfall (Latitude, distance from the sea, aspect, altitude).
    • Explains how different factors have an impact on weather at different places.

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