Atmosphere Study Guide
Characteristics of the Atmosphere
· The definition and components of: Atmosphere, Air pressure, and barometer
· The four main layers of the atmosphere – air pressure/temp & important features
o Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere
§ Location of the Ozone Layer & Ionosphere
Atmosphere Heating
· Types of energy transfer
o Radiation, Conduction & Convection (How energy is transferred & examples)
· Convection Current, Greenhouse Effect, Greenhouse Gases, Global Warming
o Understanding why warm air rises and cold air sinks
Wind
· Definition, Movement based on different pressures (high to low), the greater the pressure the faster and stronger wind blows
Location / Temperature / Pressure / Direction wind blows fromPoles / Cold / High pressure / - Towards equator & Curves west
Equator / Warm / Low pressure / - Towards equator & Curves west
· Convection cells, Pressure belts, and Global winds
· Types of winds (Polar Easterlies, Westerlies, & Trade Winds)
o Identify the location/range of each wind & important features
o Draw the wind pattern & direction of the winds for each
o Define doldrums & horse latitudes and label them on a picture of a globe
o Jet Stream
o Know why global winds curve (The Coriolis Effect) - fill in Earth’s Planetary wind belts on a diagram below including:
§ Latitude #’s (Oº, 30º N, 30º S 60º N, 60º S, 9Oº N, 9Oº S)
§ Pressure belts (high & low and arrows to show wind moving high to low)
§ Wind direction & Location of Polar easterlies, Tradewinds & Westerlies
o Local Winds, Sea/Land Breezes, and Mountain/Valley Breezes
· Earth’s rotation - The deflection of wind, ocean water and objects flying through the air is known as the: ______.
2) This deflection is caused by: ______.
3) What causes "winds"? ______.
4) On a molecular level, explain why cold air is heavier, (denser) and therefore,
exerts more pressure than warm air.
5) Why then do winds blow from areas of cold, high pressure to areas of low, warm pressure?