The measure of water vapor content compares the actual amount of water
vapor contained to the maximum amount required to reach saturation at a
given temperature and pressure
relative humidity
T/F: Dewpoint temperature refers to the temperature at which saturation occurs
True
Warm can store ___ moisture than cold air
more 100
T/F: When the dew point temperature and air temperature are equal saturation takes place
True
T/F: Fog represents condensation - the air parcel has cooled to saturation
True
Isobars on a weather map that are closely spaced indicate
both strong pressure gradient and strong winds
T/F: Winds blow from low to high pressure
False
This force acting on air operates only near the Earth's surface
Friction
On this day, the solar declination is 23.5-degrees North. Days are long and warm in the Northern hemisphere
Summer Solstice
T/F: As Earth revolves around the Sun the distance between the Earth and Sun changes. This distance causes seasons on Earth
False
T/F: The tilt of Earth's axis of rotation leads to differences in the amount
of incoming solar radiation received at different latitudes. We
experience this as seasons.
True
Energy which propagates as waves best describes energy which is
transferred from our son. Select the term that describes the mechanism
which transfers energy from the sun to the earth.
radiation
T/F: The amount of incoming solar radiation received at the top of the
atmosphere is greater than the amount received at the Earth's surface.
True
Factors that influence the temperature patterns we observe across the planet are:
latitude, altitude, cloud cover and other local conditions
land versus water (continentality) and ocean currents
all of the above
On a typical day, the warmest time of day is
in the late afternoon
T/F: Cloud cover will lower the daytime maximum temperatures and warm the nighttime temperatures
True
T/F: One function of Earth's atmosphere is to serve as a filter.
True
T/F: Weather specifically refers to short-term (daily for example)
atmospheric conditions while climate refers to long-term (multiple
decades) statistically averaged conditions.
True
Earth's atmosphere is composed of a mixture of gases, liquids and
solids. Some exist in constant (permanent) concentrations while others
exist in concentrations that vary with time and place. Select the
permanent gas.
oxygen
T/F: Aerosols have both natural and human-made sources.
True
Starting at the Earth's surface and moving vertically away from that
surface reference, put the thermal layers of the atmosphere into the
correct order.
troposphere
stratosphere
meosphere
thermosphere
What is Earth’s atmosphere composed of?
Permanent gases
Variable gases
Aerosols/particulates
What does it mean to be a permanent gas? Example?
Having constant relative abundance in the homosphere
Oxygen & Nitrogen
What does it mean to be a variable gas? Example?
Having amounts that very greatly in abundance
Water vapor
What are Aerosols/particulates? What are their roles?
Small particles in the atmosphere
They help form cloud droplets
How does density change as we move vertically through the atmosphere?
Density decreases as altitude increases
How does temperature behaves in each thermal layer?
Troposphere - Temperature decreases with height
Stratosphere - Temperature increases with height
Mesosphere - Temperature decreases with height
Thermosphere - Temperature increases with height
How does the temperature of an object influence the energy released by the object?
The hotter something is, the more energy it releases and the shorter the wave length.
Lower solar angle = jQuery1124040533727644215434_1537573138200
Higher solar angle = ??
Lower = Cooler temperature
Higher = Warmer temperature
What is the consequence of beam spreading for energy received at different latitudes
The larger the beam spread, less radiation is concentrated on one place, which causes proper distribution over a larger area
T/F: Solar declination is always between 23.5°N and 23.5°S.
True
Define: Declination & Subsolar Point
Declination = latitude of the
Subsolarpoint = point on Earth where the Sun is directly overhead
What is the fate of energy in the atmosphere?
Absorption
Reflection
Scattering
Transmission
Cold air has the capacity to store (more or less) moisture than warm air?
Less
Describe both an anticyclone and a cyclone in the upper atmosphere and at the surface
Upper atmosphereAnti cyclone - Convergence aloft
Cyclone - Divergence aloft
At the surface
Anti cyclone - Diverging surface winds
Cyclone - Converging surface winds
Name and describe two measures of moisture content
Relative humidity - the amount of water vapor actually in the air
Dew point temperature - temperature at which saturation takes place
Name and describe four mechanism of lifting that cause air parcels to rise vertically
Orographic lifting - Rising motions caused by airflow over a mountain range
Convection - Heat transfer by fluid flow
Frontal lifting - ??
Convergence - Horizontal motions of air resulting in a net inflow of air
Define Stability
Tendency of an air parcel to move vertical
What info do we need to determine the stability of an air parcel?
Air temperature of the air parcel of interest
Moisture content of the air parcel - - Environmental Lapse Rate
How do clouds form?
When air becomes saturated above the ground
Adopt two cloud types and describe
Stratus: clouds appearing like sheets or layer and also lower level clouds
Cirrus: thin, wispy clouds of ice and also higher level clouds
