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Air Masses
Science 10
Page 468 Questions
1. The equator is the warmest area of the Earth
2.
3.
and therefore the air over the equator should
be warmer than air anywhere else on Earth.
If the air remained still while the Earth rotated,
the average wind speed would be about
300m/s (~1000km/h).
The rotation of the Earth results in the Coriolis
effect.
Page 468 Questions
4. The Coriolis effect leads to air being pushed to
5.
6.
one side or the other depending on
hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere air
flows right while in the Southern Hemisphere
air flows left.
The Jet Stream would be located where the
Polar Easterlies meet the Prevailing Westerlies
(at approximately sixty degrees north/south
latitude)
While flying from west to east, an aircraft can
use the jet stream to increase its ground
speed.
Page 478 Questions
1. Surface currents are determined by prevailing
2.
3.
4.
winds, Corilois effect and land masses.
Ocean currents can deliver warm/cold air to a
land mass and also will provide large amounts
of moisture to the land.
Salt concentrations can be changed due to
glacier melt and evaporation
Cool water will rise when the warm water
above it is displaced by wind currents
Air Masses
• Air will have different characteristics
depending on where it forms.
• There are two main regions:
– Polar
– Tropical
• There are two main types:
– Maritime
– Continental
Air Masses
Name
Symbol
Characteristics
Continental polar
cP
Cool and dry
Maritime polar
mP
Cool and moist
Continental tropical
cT
Warm and dry
Maritime tropical
mT
Warm and moist
Test 1 – Tuesday Feb 23/10
• Chapter at a Glance – Page 481
• Chapter 14 Review – Page 482
– 1-16, 20 and 27-28
• In addition Chapter 13 Review – Page 450
and Chapter at a Glance – Page 449