Atmosphere questions

Question

1. Describe what would cause the atmospheric pressure over an area to both increase and decrease. 
2. What is the average “weight” of atmospheric pressure at sea level?
3. What would happen to this weight as you move up in the troposphere and why?
4. What four units are used to express atmospheric pressure? __________, __________, __________, ___________

 

1. Explain the concept “pressure gradient”
2. How does atmospheric pressure determine the direction the wind blows?
3. Air moves from areas of _________ to _________ pressure.
4. What determines how much air is deflected by the coriolis effect?
5. Wind that blows near the earths surface experiences _________ _________. This __________ can act to change wind’s direction and slow it down.
6. The difference in __________ directly affects how much friction is exerted.
7. What would affect wind speed more, blowing over the ocean or land? Explain.
8. ____________ effects on air motion ______________ as the altitude increases—to a point where it has no effect at all.
9. Wind flows around a northern hemisphere high-pressure system in a __________ manner.
10.  Explain the formation of land and sea breezes

Answer 1

1. Atmospheric pressure is determined by the planet's gravitational attraction to the atmospheric gases above the surface and is a function of the mass of the planet. So if there is a change in the composition of the gases present then there would be a change in pressure.
2. about 14.7 atm
3. As you move up in the troposphere, atmospheric pressure will decrease since gases are less condensed the further up you go.
4. Millimeters (or inches) of mercury, pounds per square inch (psi), dynes per square centimeter, millibars (mb), standard atmospheres, or kilopascals are all viable options.