In: Physics
3. The atmosphere is in constant motion. Why? What is the general pattern of airflow? Explain why there is this general pattern of airflow and why atmospheric gases don’t simply flow into outer space. (SHORT ESSAY)
The atmosphere is in constant motion due to the many facts like incoming solar radiation. As radiation hits the atmosphere it warms the gases , warm gases flow vertical upward and filling there place cold air comes , as well as the earth's different parts receive different amount of heat and this makes pressure gradients and air flows. Other factors are like rotation of earth , coriolis forces . As previous the general pattern of air flow is cold air will take the place of warm air , as it gets warm it will flow vertically and cold air will rush there to fill the space. Gravity is the reason the atmospheric gases do not fly away to space. As for earth the escape velocity is approx 11km per second and the thermal velocity gained by the molecules or atoms of the gases from the temperature of earth and solar radiation in upper atmosphere is much less than this , thus they are unable to escape while in the case of Moon , there is no atmosphere.