The earth’s atmosphere

Atmosphere

the layer of gases surrounding the earth

The atmosphere is made up of

carbon dioxide, argon gases, other gases, nitrogen, oxygen

troposphere

the layer of the atmosphere that we live, clouds are found here

Stratosphere

The layer above the troposphere, it contains the ozone layer which obsorbs harmful radiation from the sun

The green house affect

the way in which heat from the sun is trapped in the atmosphere, life on earth wouldn’t exist without it, happens naturally

What does the green house affect do

keeps the temperature at an average of 14 degrees Celsius

The water cycle

the pathway of water between the earths surface and atmosphere

What happens in the water cycle?

Evaporates, condenses, precipitation, infiltration, run off

The types of clouds

cirrus, cumulus, stratus

cirrus

think and wispy, high in sky, fine and dry weather

Cumulus

full, fluffy clouds, heavy rain

Stratus

layered cloud, low lying, drizzle, rain over a long time

Relief rainfall

water evaporates from sea, wind blows towards land, made to rise over mountain, cools when rises, condenses and forms clouds, rains

rain shadow affect

No rain on the leeward side, lots of rain on the windward side

Conventional rainfall

suns energy reaches earth, warm land heats air and it evaporates, warm moist air rises until it cools enough to condense forming clouds and water droplets, towering clouds form

Frontal rainfall

Cold air mass and hot air mass meet, warm air mass rises over, cools condenses, clouds and frontal rain

Air masses

large bodies of air, two different ones don’t mix, boundary between two is called a front

Why is the equator warmer

the suns rays hit the equator directly overhead at right angles

The earth being a sphere causes

The uneven heating of the earth

Wind that blows from the south and North Pole is

cool

Wind that blows from the equator is

warm

where does air move

air moves from high pressure systems to low pressure systems

Coriolis affect

Spinning of the earth on its axis

Prevailing winds

winds that blow constantly from one direction

Ocean currents

Like rivers of warm and cold water that flow around the globe, affected by winds and Coriolis affect

The affect of ocean currents in the Atlantic

North Atlantic drift - keeps irelands seas ice free