Topic 2 of 6 · Form 5
Atmosphere and weather
Diurnal energy budget (incoming solar radiation, reflected solar, surface absorption, long-wave radiation, sensible and latent heat transfer); the global energy budget and latitudinal imbalance.
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Energy budgets
Diurnal energy budget (incoming solar radiation, reflected solar, surface absorption, long-wave radiation, sensible and latent heat transfer); the global energy budget and latitudinal imbalance.
Atmospheric circulation
Pressure belts and winds; the tricellular model (Hadley, Ferrel and polar cells); the ITCZ and its seasonal migration; jet streams; ocean currents.
Weather processes
Humidity, dew point, condensation, clouds and precipitation; atmospheric stability and instability (environmental and adiabatic lapse rates: DALR ≈ 9.8 °C/km, SALR ≈ 5–7 °C/km).
Worked example: Air at 30 °C rises 1.5 km unsaturated. Find its temperature.
30 − 1.5 × 9.8 = 15.3 °C
Human impact
Urban climates (heat island, pollution, wind effects); enhanced greenhouse effect and climate change.
Check yourself
- What is the dry adiabatic lapse rate?
- Why are urban areas warmer than surrounding rural areas?
- How does the ITCZ affect rainfall in southern Africa?
Show answers
- The rate at which unsaturated rising air cools – about 9.8 °C per km.
- Building materials store heat, fewer plants for evaporative cooling, waste heat, pollution trapping heat.
- Its southward movement in the southern summer brings convectional rainfall (rainy season).
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