Circulation Cells
Large areas of air movement created by the rotation of the earth and the transfer of heat from the equator toward the poles. Circulation is confined to a specific region, such as the tropics, temperate, or polar, that influences the type of weather prevailing there.
Air
This is considered the mixture of gases that make up the earth’s atmosphere. The principal gases that compose dry air are Nitrogen (N2) at 78.09%, Oxygen (O2) at 20.946%, Argon (A) at 0.93%, and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) at 0.033%. One of the most important constituents of air and most important gases in meteorology is water vapor (H2O).
Rotation
The spinning of a body, such as the earth, about its axis.
Heat
A form of energy transferred between two systems by virtue of a difference in temperature. The first law of thermodynamics demonstrated that the heat absorbed by a system may be used by the system to do work or to raise its internal energy.
Equator
The geographic circle at 0 degrees latitude on the earth’s surface. It is equal distance from the North and South Poles and divides the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern.
Circulation
The flow or motion of a fluid in or through a given area or volume. In meteorology, it is used to describe the flow of air as it moves around a pressure system in the atmosphere. It describes smaller patterns in semi-permanent pressure systems as well as the relatively permanent global currents of air. In oceanic terms, it is used to describe a water in current flow within a large area, usually a closed circular pattern such as in the North Atlantic.
Tropics / Tropical
The region of the earth located between the Tropic of Cancer, at 23.5 degrees North latitude, and the Tropic of Capricorn, at 23.5 degrees South latitude. It encompasses the equatorial region, an area of high temperatures and considerable precipitation during part of the year.
Temperate Climate
Climates with distinct winter and summer seasons, typical of regions found between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. Considered the climate of the middle latitudes.
Poles / Polar
The poles are the geographic point at 90 degrees latitude North and South on the earth’s surface. They are equal distance from the equator. The polar region is considered to be that area between 60° and 90° latitude, both North and South.
Weather
The state of the atmosphere at a specific time and with respect to its effect on life and human activities. It is the short term variations of the atmosphere, as opposed to the long term, or climatic, changes. It is often referred to in terms of brightness, cloudiness, humidity, precipitation, temperature, visibility, and wind.
Originally posted 2014-04-11 02:40:41.
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