Some water vapor may condense to form clouds or precipitation. When cool air descends, it warms . Since it can then hold more moisture, the descending air will evaporate water on the ground. Air moving between large high and low pressure systems creates the global wind belts that profoundly affect regional climate.
What causes air descend?
This pattern, called atmospheric circulation, is caused because the Sun heats the Earth more at the equator than at the poles. It's also affected by the spin of the Earth. ... When the air cools, it drops back to the ground, flows back towards the Equator, and warm again.
Does air get warmer as descends?
Rising air always cools, and, conversely, sinking air always warms . This type of temperature change, which is caused simply by ascent or descent in the atmosphere, is called adiabatic cooling or warming. ... Since the atmospheric pressure always decreases with height, sinking air will compress as its pressure increases.
What happens to air volume as it rises?
As an air mass rises its volume decreases , as does temperature. When air rises, it enters the upper atmosphere, which is colder compared to air...
What happens when air gets warmer?
What happens when air is heated or cooled? ... So air, like most other substances, expands when heated and contracts when cooled . Because there is more space between the molecules, the air is less dense than the surrounding matter and the hot air floats upward. This is the concept used in the hot air balloons.
Why is the air near the ceiling the warmest?
Convection is the transfer of heat by the physical movement of hot masses of air. As air is heated, it expands (as do all objects). ... (This is why the air near the ceiling of a heated room is warmer than that near the floor.)
Is Sinking air high or low pressure?
High pressure is associated with sinking air. Air pressure is higher because it is pushing DOWN on the ground. When air sinks from high in the atmosphere to the lower levels it warms up and dries out. This is because air at the top of the atmosphere is less dense.
How can air hold up water?
When air holds as much water vapor as it can for a given temperature (100% relative humidity) , it is said to be saturated. If saturated air is warmed, it can hold more water (relative humidity drops), which is why warm air is used to dry objects–it absorbs moisture.
Why does air flow downhill at night?
As the day progresses, warm air rises and draws the cool air up from the valley, creating a valley breeze. At night the mountain slopes cool more quickly than the nearby valley , which causes a mountain breeze to flow downhill.
What are the factors that affect the movement of air in places?
There are 5 major factors affecting global air circulation : – uneven heating of earth's surface, seasonal changes in temperature and precipitation , rotating of earth on its axis, properties of air and water and long term variation in the amount of solar energy striking the earth.
When warm air is rising What is its effect on the air in the surroundings?
As air warms up, the molecules start to vibrate and bump into each other, increasing the space around each molecule . Because each molecule uses more space for motion, the air expands and becomes less dense (lighter).
What happens to pressure and volume as air rises?
If the parcel of air starts near the ground, its volume is confined by the weight of the overlying atmosphere, which exerts significant pressure. If the air begins rising, there is less air on top, which results in a decrease in air pressure. ... As the air rises higher, the pressure continues to decrease .
Does air exert pressure on us?
Air not only has mass, but exerts pressure as well . The particles of air push in all directions and the force that is exerted is called air pressure. ... The closer we get to the Earth, the higher the atmospheric pressure due to the weight of air particles above.
Is air affected by temperature?
Temperature, Sunlight, and Humidity. Air temperature affects the movement of air , and thus the movement of air pollution. ... The warmer, lighter air at the surface rises, and the cooler, heavier air in the upper troposphere sinks. This is known as convection and it moves pollutants from the ground to higher altitudes.
When air temperature falls the air can hold more water vapor True or false?
A oft-repeated water vapor myth is that warm air can “hold” more water vapor than cool air because as the air warms its molecules move farther apart, making room for more molecules. This leads to the idea that as air cools its molecules move closer together, “squeezing” out water vapor.
Which prediction is most likely when the air pressure increases?
If air pressure rises, a high pressure cell is on the way and clear skies can be expected. If pressure falls, a low pressure cell is coming and will likely bring storm clouds. Barometric pressure data over a larger area can be used to identify pressure systems, fronts, and other weather systems.
