Wind Formation
Wind is the result of
pressure differences
What global wind do we experience in North America?
Westerlies
What happens to air particles as they get colder?
Particles get closer together, denser and heavier, and will sink
bacteria and debris are known as what?
Organic Matter
What type of energy is due to motion?
kinetic energy
What is convection?
the movement of matter due to different densities
As Earth spins, wind in both hemispheres curve. What is this called?
The Coriolis effect
How does heat rise?
the cooler denser air pushes the warmer air up because it is lighter
What continuously cycles Earth in the atmosphere and on land?
water
What is the energy from light waves from the sun?
Radiation
How is wind created?
Cool, dense air sinks to Earth's surface and spreads out horizontally
How does wind on a large scale move across Earth?
because our planet has high and low pressure bands
The equator has what type of pressure band?
low pressure
Water and wind helps cycle what through the Earth's system?
phosphorus
What type of energy is due to the motion of particles?
thermal energy
How far have we seen wind transport materials on Earth?
9,000 kilometers (5,600 miles!)
What three things form wind belts?
vertically moving air, curving horizontal winds, and bands of high and low pressure
What is a convection cell?
a cyclic pattern of movement caused by density differences
What three ways does carbon dioxide enter the atmosphere?
cellular respiration, burning fossil fuels, and erupting volcanoes
Conduction
How and what kind of matter is moved throughout the atmosphere?
winds can move many types of matter, both living and nonliving
How many wind belts do we have on Earth?
6
What is an everyday example of a convection cell that we have talked about in class?
attics vs basements
What three ways does nitrogen enter Earth's systems?
burning fossil fuels, during industrial processes, and when bacteria break down organic matter
How does energy flow/move on Earth?
through the atmosphere and subsystems