In-Depth Notes on General Health and Atmospheric Circulation

Deadline Reminder

• It's important to submit assignments by Sunday.

New Topic Overview

• The focus is on general health and spiritual circulation, tied into atmospheric processes.
• Revisited theoretical balance of short and long-wave radiation.
• Noted latitudinal imbalances affecting atmospheric circulation.

Momentum Transfer

• Momentum is transferred from equatorial regions to mid/upper latitudes due to Earth's rotation.
• The Earth spins faster at the Equator than at the poles, affecting air mass momentum.
• As air parcels migrate northward, they transfer angular momentum to the Earth’s surface.

Simplified Atmospheric Circulation Model

• Conceptualized a non-rotating Earth with thermal highs (equatorial low pressure) and lows (polar high pressure).
• High pressure is due to lesser heating, while low pressure is due to stronger heating over the equator (i.e., cold, dry air vs. warm, moist air).

Dishpan Experiment

• Described a dishpan experiment demonstrating atmospheric circulation:
• Heating the perimeter and cooling the center of the dishpan creates convection currents.
• Visual representation of movement with food coloring or non-dissolving particles helps to observe circulation.
• When spun, it generates undulating wave patterns, similar to atmospheric circulation.
• Although the Earth is a curved surface, the dishpan model indicates that rotation affects wave patterns.

Waves in Atmospheric Circulation

• Wavelengths vary with the speed of rotation; faster rotation results in shorter wavelengths.
• Tropical jet stream exhibits lower amplitude waves compared to the polar jet stream, which has greater amplitude.

Real-World Implications of Atmospheric Dynamics

• Real circulation models must account for Earth’s rotation and differences in land and water heating.
• Seasonal variations affect semi-permanent high/low pressure systems in the atmosphere.

Pressure Systems and Upwelling

• Mentioned semi-permanent high/low pressure areas based on seasonal changes:
• January vs. July distributions.
• Differences in heating create varied weather and climate patterns across latitudes.

Tropical Circulation

• Focused on the Hadley cell, which pertains to tropical regions (23.5° N/S).
• The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a significant area where warm, moist air ascends due to thermal heating.
• Warm, moist air leads to high rainfall regions like tropical rainforests.

Dynamic vs. Thermal Pressure

• Described thermal pressure caused by temperature differences vs. dynamic pressure resulting from forced movements due to other pressure systems.

Mid-Latitude and Polar Circulation

• Explained the formation of frontal boundaries due to differing air masses.
• Mid-latitude circulations are affected by these boundaries, leading to cyclonic and anticyclonic weather systems.
• Importance of jet streams and their positioning due to Earth's rotation and atmospheric dynamics.

General Patterns

• The general circulation model incorporates tropical, mid-latitude, and polar cells, demonstrating the complexity of atmospheric motions.
• Recognized that air flow and weather systems are influenced by historical, present, and future configurations of continents and climates.

Conclusion and Future Topics

• Understanding the dynamics behind weather changes and their relation to high/low pressure systems will set the groundwork for further topics like mid-latitude cyclone development.
• Exploration of how ocean currents and continental configurations further modify these fundamental patterns in atmospheric circulation.