1. HIGHER GEOGRAPHY
PHYSICAL CORE
ATMOSPHERE

2. THE
ATMOSPHERE

3. By the end of this topic you should be able to:Ø
explain with the aid of an annotated diagram, why Tropical latitudes receive more of the
sun’s energy than Polar regions
explain why there is a net gain of solar region in the Tropical latitudes and a net loss towards Ø
the poles Ø
describe the role of atmospheric circulation in the redistribution of energy over the globe Ø
describe and explain the earth’s energy exchanges shown on a diagram Ø
describe the factors which affect the amount of sunlight reflected from the earth’s surface Ø
describe and account for the generalised pattern of atmospheric circulation and global
winds, or
ocean currents shown on a world map Ø
describe the variations in world temperature for the last 100 years (shown
eg. on a graph)
and suggest both physical and human reasons for these variations Ø
describe and explain the origin, nature and weather characteristics of Tropical Maritime (
mT)
and Tropical Continental (
cT) air masses which affect West Africa Ø
with reference to the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone and the movement of air masses,
describe and account for the variations in West African rainfall.

4. OCEAN
CURRENTS

5. This circulation is known as a
4 forces:
solar heating
surface winds
Coriolis effect
and surface winds
result in a clockwise circulation of
water in the Northern hemisphere.
This circulation is known as a
GYRE.

6. OCEAN CURRENTS IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC1
NORTH EQUATORIAL CURRENT
90º Pole 2 4
GULF STREAM 5 3
NORTH ATLANTIC DRIFT 3 4
NORTH ATLANTIC DRIFT 6 2 5
LABRADOR CURRENT 1 6
CANARIES CURRENT
0º Equator

9. End of Part 5