What are the patterns of air temperature distribution on the Earth? Change in temperature with altitude

In our solar system there is a source of heat and light - a star called the Sun. Considering the question of what are the patterns of the distribution of air temperature on the Earth, one can not do without this very object, without mentioning water and atmospheric pressure. All these components form a climate.

As you know, the Sun is far enough from our planet, but it radiates such a powerful stream of heat and light that it easily warms up the Earth, albeit fairly unevenly.

Distribution of light and heat

The uneven distribution of heat on our planet takes place because of the spherical shape of the Earth. Naturally, moving around the Sun, it is only illuminated from one side. In addition, in some areas, light beams fall sheer, which ensures a good warming of the air. These areas are on the equator. But because of the same reason, only a limited area is warming up.

Yet, what are the patterns of air temperature distribution on the Earth? Consider a more significant factor - the fall of the sun. Territories that are closer to the equator are warming up better. The closer to the poles, the lower the air temperature. But the paradox: rays in power and at the equator, and at the poles are the same, the cause of different temperatures is the angle of incidence of rays on the surface of the Earth. If it is large, then it travels a long distance, most simply dissipate in the troposphere, as a result, not reaching the surface of the planet.

Another factor is the slope of the earth's axis. If this were not the case, there would be no change of seasons, in time, day and night would be equal, the same temperature was constantly observed.

Let us summarize this point. What are the patterns of air temperature distribution on the Earth? The closer to the equator, the warmer. So far we have identified two components of climate formation: the inclination of the axis and the fall of the rays, more precisely, the angle.

Interrelation of water and air temperature

The hydrosphere and atmosphere are in very close contact, and more precisely, they are climate-forming factors. They dictate the patterns of heat and moisture distribution on our planet. What kind of relationship can be observed? Everything is simple: territories where land predominates, are subject to cooling. The current situation is as follows: at the moment there is an uneven distribution of water resources, which can cause the beginning of the glaciation.

It is important to know that land and air heat up fairly quickly in the daytime, but they lose heat just as quickly at night. We strongly do not feel these differences due to the layers of the troposphere, which catch heat. For example, take our moon to the moon. It gets about the same amount of solar energy as the Earth, but, given that the Moon does not have an atmosphere, it heats up over a hundred degrees during the day, and at night it cools down to minus one hundred and sixty.

What are the patterns of the distribution of air temperature on the Earth, we have considered, now we turn to the issue of moisture distribution. As we know, the water from the reservoirs evaporates all the time, mainly in the oceans. Then this air rushes over the continents, cooling at the same time, as a result of precipitation (rain or snow), in part the water returns to the ocean. This is how the hydrological cycle looks.

Distribution of air temperature and atmospheric pressure

In total, our planet has three belts of low and four belts of high atmospheric pressure. We suggest to understand how they were formed. It is important to note that air masses can move both horizontally and vertically.

As already mentioned, the air is heated quite strongly at the equator, which leads to its expansion, it becomes lighter and rises. In this connection, a low atmospheric pressure forms near the surface of the earth at the equator and in the approximate regions.

At the poles we can observe the opposite phenomenon, this is due to the fact that the air is cold and heavy. This results in high atmospheric pressure.

Air temperature and altitude

In addition to everything that was said before, the patterns of air temperature distribution on the Earth can be viewed from the other side. Regardless of the belt and the latitude of the territory, irrespective of atmospheric pressure, the air temperature gradually falls with a set of altitudes.

The very first, close layer to the surface of the earth is the troposphere, it extends upwards to a height of ten to eighteen kilometers. And the temperature in it falls from every hundred meters by about six tenths of a degree. Then follows the layer of the stratosphere. At first the temperature in it is unchanged, but gradually begins to rise.