EAS201 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11-13: Pressure-Gradient Force, Vapor Pressure, Intertropical Convergence Zone

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
• Course: EAS201
• Professor: Solweig Balzer

Document Summary

Only about 5% of the volume of the earth. The higher above sea level we go, the less oxygen there is: this is because there is a reduction in air pressure, the reduction in air pressure results in a reduction in air density. The force exerted by the weight of overlying air. Basically a smaller number of molecules of atmospheric constituents are contained in a given volume of air. Air pressure is measured with a device called a: Air pressure at the surface is closely monitored because changes in air pressure can indicate imminent changes in weather. Employs a sealed metal bellows that expands and contracts as air pressure changes. Temperature measures: average kinetic energy of molecules heat refers to, total energy of all molecules four layers based on temperature changes. Top surface is tropopause: the tropopause is ~16 km high at the equator, only ~10km or less at the poles. Temperature in the troposphere decreases with elevation: re-radiated.