EARTHSS 5 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Coriolis Force, Relative Humidity, Diabatic

• School: UC-Irvine
• Department: Earth System Science
• Course: EARTHSS 5
• Professor: Elizabeth Crook

Document Summary

Higher elevations = fewer air molecules (lower pressure: more molecules (higher pressure) Winds travel from high to low pressure areas. Isobars: lines of constant pressure of the atmosphere. Widely spread isobars = small pressure gradient = slower winds. Closely spaced isobars = large pressure gradient = faster winds. Hydrostatic balance: balance between vertical pressure gradient and gravity. How is horizontal wind speed and direction affected by: Horizontal pressure gradient: high to low pressure. Friction: resistance to movement: reduces wind speed, 3 layers: Results in convergence and divergence at the surface. Friction from surface negligible = geostrophic winds. Evaporation: the change by which any substance is converted from a liquid state into and carried off in vapor. Condensation: the process by which water vapor in the air is changed into liquid water. Vapor pressure: pressure of a gas above a liquid. Equilibrium: rate of evaporation = rate of condensation. Saturation: amount of water in gaseous phase is maximized.