Vocabulary

AtmosphereThe layer of gasses surrounding the EarthHeld close to the Earth’s surface by

Gravity

How does the atmosphere help sustain life on earth?

LithosphereThe outer solid part of the earth, consisting

of the crust and upper mantle.

HydrosphereThe liquid water component of the Earth. It includes the oceans, seas, lakes, ponds,

rivers and streams.

BiosphereThe living organisms and their environment.

ClimateThe usual weather conditions that occur in a

particular area.

Air Currents and Climate

What causes wind?The uneven heating and cooling of the

Earth’s surface.What is the major source of energy for wind?

The sun

What heats up faster land or water?Land Why?

The lithosphere is more dense, it is a better conductor of energy.

What cools down faster land or water?LandWhy?

The lithosphere is more dense, it is a better conductor of energy.

Uneven heating causes pressure differencesWarmer air rises Why?Less denseWould it cause a high or low pressure on the

surface?

Low

Cooler air sinksWhy?More denseWould it cause a high or low pressure on the

surface

High

What type of heat energy transfer is taking place in the atmosphere?Convection

Atmospheric currents transfer heat energy around the Earth.

Pressure differences will try to equalizeHigh pressure areas will always go to low

pressure areas.This movement causes air currents.

Where are great temperature differences found on Earth?The poles and the equator.

Why doesn’t the wind blow from the north all of the time?

The earth rotates on its axis.

The Coriolis EffectThe apparent curvature of global winds,

ocean currents, and everything else that moves freely across the Earth's surface.

Video The curving of the global winds due to the

rotation of the Earth.

These global wind patterns influence weather and climateWhat global wind has the greatest influence

on the weather in the U.S.?The Westerlies

Side noteWinds are named from where the blow from.

These global wind patterns influence weather and climateAt locations 30⁰ above and below the equator

where the high pressure areas are located is where most of the worlds deserts are found.

High pressure (cooler air sinking) areas generally indicate clear skies.

At the equator where there is low pressure (warm air rising), most of the rainforest are found.

The JetstreamA high narrow band of fast moving air.

The JetstreamResponsible for transporting weather

systems that effect us.

Atmospheric currents transfer heat energy around the earth.

Topography also influences climateNear a large body of water

More water vapor in the air, greater chance for precipitation.

Near mountainsMore precipitation on the windward side of the

mountain.

Weather is ultimately caused by temperature differences due to variations in solar energy input.  These temperature differences cause pressure variations in the atmosphere.  The wind blows to try and correct these imbalances in pressure.  Regions of low and high pressure moving through an area cause changes in weather as different air masses pass by.