Problem set for OCG123 Lab 2-Atmospheric Circulation and Coriolis Effect

 

  1. From Figure 1, calculate the percentage of solar radiation that is intercepted by each of the following 30º segments of latitude. Explain why the distribution of solar energy varies with latitude.

            0º – 30º        50         %          30º – 60º     36     %          60º – 90º     14      %

              Because of the curvature of the Earth, the same amount of solar radiation is spread over a much lager area at the poles than at the equator. Consequently, each square meter of surface receives proportionately less energy at the higher latitudes, and the incoming solar flux thus decreases from the equator toward the poles. 

  1. What causes the seasons? Complete Figure 2 by showing Earth’s relation to the sun on June 22. On the Earth, accurately draw and label the following:

Axis   Equator   Tropic of Cancer    Tropic of Capricorn    Antarctic Circle    Arctic Circle    Circle of illumination   Location of the overhead noon sun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


  1. Label the troposphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, and thermosphere on the atmospheric temperature curve, Figure 3. Explain the reason for each of the following:

1)  Temperature decrease with altitude in the troposphere.

Refer to the handout.

2)  Temperature increase with altitude in the stratosphere.

Refer to the handout.

 

  1. How do differences of solar radiation, albedo, and heat capacity cause the global temperature distribution? (Refer to figure 4-1 in your textbook)

 

Solar radiation is the earth’s energy source. The more radiation the earth gets, the higher the temperature is. From question 1, we can see that the earth get more solar radiation for the same area at the equator than at the poles. So temperature is the highest at the equator and gets lower as we go to the poles.

Albedo is the energy reflected back to the space. The higher the albedo is, the smaller percentage of energy is absorbed by the earth. So as the poles are covered by ice which has a high albedo, they are even colder.

Heat capacity is the heat needed in order to raise 1 degree of the temperature of a material. The higher the heat capacity is, the less the temperature varies. As water has a really high heat capacity, the temperature of the ocean varied much less than the land which has a low heat capacity does. And it is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter relative to the land.

 

  1. Rank the following latitudes with respect to the magnitude of the surface velocity.

(1 = slowest      5 = fastest)

                       2 57ºN      3  25ºS      4  10ºN       1 67ºN       5 1ºS

  1. Rank the following latitudes with respect to the strength of Coriolis effect.

(1 = slowest      5 = fastest)

                       4 57ºN      3  25ºS      2  10ºN       5 67ºN       1 1ºS

  1. What “causes” the Coriolis effect? Would the Coriolis effect exist if the earth were a rotating cylinder? What if the earth were a nonrotating sphere?

The Coriolis effect exists because the Earth is a rotating sphere. The eastward velocity is different at different latitudes. The different of this velocity “causes” the Coriolis effect.

If the earth were a rotating cylinder, there would be no Coriolis effect.

If the earth were a nonrotating sphere, there would be no Coriolis effect.

  1. Use a diagram to show the pattern of the surface wind if (a) the earth were nonrotating (without Coriolis effect), (b) with the earth as it rotates now?

(a) fig 4-11      (b) fig 4-14 in the text book.

  1. Describe three processes that produce uplift in the atmosphere and that are important in causing precipitation.

Convergence; Topographic lift Frontal lift

  1. Try to explain the global precipitation distribution. (Refer to figure 4-2 in your textbook)

           In order to have precipitation, we have to have a lot of water vapor in the air and then let the air cool to form clouds and then, precipitation.  

At the equator, the air is hot, so, it contains a lot of water vapor. And as it is hot, it rises and get cooled. We get a lot of precipitation around the equator.

Around mid-latitude, the air is sinking, as the air sinks, it get warmed and prevent the formation of clouds. We can’t get much precipitation around mid-latitude. And we can find a lot of deserts around 30N and 30S.

At higher latitude 60N and 60S, we have sinking air but the air is less warm than at the equator so it contains less water vapor in it. We get less precipitation here than at the equator.