Solar Energy
Where does the energy used the atmosphere come from?
Sun
What is the main reason why air moves?
Energy - heated or cooled (thermal energy)
What latitudes is the Hadley cell located
0-30 degrees North & South hemisphere
What is the location of the Ferrel cell?
Between 30-60 degrees N & S
What latitude is the Polar cell?
60-90 N & S
Explain why there is difference in temperature across the earth's surface?
Depends on the latitude (location) towards the equator = more intense and angle of sunlight (incidence) and towards poles, more curved and energy spread out
What is the cause for hot air rising (initial phase)
Radiation and conduction of heat energy from the Earth's surface.
What process occurs at the equator to 'kick start' the hadley cell convective system
increased radiation concentration, intensity and duration - creating the equatorial region to heat up compared to other layers and causes air to heat up in the lower troposphere
What winds are created at the surface by the Ferrel cell?
Westerlies - created by the high pressure at 30, and the low at 60 - movement between the two different pressures - low & high
What other line is located at 66.5 degrees north and south of the Equator
Arctic & Antarctic Circle
What wavelength (name) of radiation is mostly blocked by Ozone (O3)?
Ultraviolet (UV)
What is the limit or highest elevation for rising air in the troposphere?
Tropopause (10-20km) negative 60 degrees C or -74F
What type of heat transfer is responsible for creating and sustaining the Hadley cell?
Convection - movement of air from an area of heat to cold and re-cycling.
What two cells border the ferrel?
Hadley cell & Polar cell
What causes the air to descend at 90 degree latitude?
cold, dense, lack of energy air molecules, compressing air parcel and creating a heavier air parcel (sinks or descends)
Why is the equatorial region heated more than the polar regions
direct, concentrated and intense solar radiation, compared to the angle change at the poles
steps:
1 - less energy absorbed by air molecules in air parcel
2 - less movement (energetic)
3 - less collisions (temp decrease)
4 - air parcel compresses due to less movement
5 - density increases
6 - air sinks through increased density and weight - heavy
What pressure belt occurs when the cold air is sinking at a particular latitude
30 degrees latitude, air is sinking and creates a persistent high pressure belt around the Earth. Most of the global hot deserts are located around this latitude due to high pressure belt.
Why would the tropopause over the Ferrel be a lower altitude compared to the Hadley cell?
Less energy and heat rising
What is the starting point for the polar cell?
The polar cell is initiated by forced air towards the tropopause above 60 degrees lat
What is the amount of solar radiation received by our planet called?
Solar Constant 1,350 watts/m2
What is the term for why the less dense air parcel is going to rise compared to ambient air (surrounding air)?
Buoyancy
What occurs to the rising air at the tropopause?
The rising air is forced north and south towards 30 degrees due to temperature and conservation of energy
What creates (starting point) of the Ferrel
Sinking air at 30 is pushed out towards 60 degrees creating the westerlies and starting the Ferrel cell.
What creates the polar easterlies?
The air being pushed from the polar high pressure over 90 degrees and being dragged towards the 60 degree LOW pressure belt