Wc4 - global weather controls

• why is the Earth differentially heated?


  -the curvature of the Earth means radiation is concentrated at the equator

  -axil tilt of the Earth means polar regions receive little radiation

  -snow and ice reflect radiation (albedo effect)
• global atmospheric circulation model

  
• which direction does the Coriolis force deflect objects in the northern hemisphere?


  right
• which direction does the Coriolis force deflect objects in the southern hemisphere?


  left
• why does the Coriolis effect occur?


  -Earth is rotating

  -surface rotates faster at equator than at the poles

  -air moving from a faster region to a slower region results in deflection
• what is the jet stream?


  the jet stream is a fast flowing, river of air found in the atmosphere at around 12 km above the surface of the Earth just under the tropopause. they form at the boundaries of adjacent air masses
• what is the latitude and altitude of the polar front jet stream?


  -approximately 60 degrees north and south

  -9-13 km above sea level

  -between Polar and Ferrel cells
• how does the polar front jet stream form?


  arises due to the strong temperature contrast between cold polar air and warm tropical air
• what is the latitude and altitude of the subtropical jet stream?

  -approximately 30 degrees north and south

  -9-14km above sea level

  -between Hadley and Ferrel cells
• what is the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone?


  -band of low pressure around the Earth which generally lies around the equator where the 2 Hadley cells meet

  -where trade winds meet, leading to the development of frequent thunderstorms and rainfall

  -zone of intense heating
• what is the movement of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone throughout the year?

  -as the Earth rotates around the Sun, the tilt of 23.5 degrees means the point of most intense incoming solar radiation is not always focused on the Equator, but it appears to shift

  - this results in the Global Atmospheric Circulation Model shifting, with the meeting of the Hadley cells always above this point of most intense heating