Untitled Flashcards Set

Saturation point

The maximum amount of water vapor that air can hold at a given temperature.

Adiabatic cooling

The cooling effect that occurs when air rises and experiences reduced pressure.

Adiabatic heating

The warming effect that occurs when air descends and experiences increased pressure.

Latent heat release

The energy released when water vapor condenses to liquid water.

Hadley cell

A convection cell located between the equator and 30° N and S.

Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)

The latitude receiving the most intense sunlight, where Hadley cells converge.

Rain shadow

Dry conditions on the leeward side of mountains due to humid winds causing precipitation on the windward side.

Coriolis effect

The deflection of moving objects, including wind patterns, due to Earth's rotation.

Gyres

Large-scale ocean circulation patterns that rotate clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Thermohaline circulation

A global ocean circulation driven by differences in salt content and water density, contributing to the Great Ocean Conveyor Belt.