-
what is meteorology?
the study of weather
-
what causes the weather?
the energy from the sun
-
does the energy from the sun heat the earth evenly?
no
-
in what layer is our weather in?
the troposphere
-
what are the atmospheric variables?
wind, precipitation, air pressure, temperature, humidity
-
define temperature
it measures the average kinetic energy of molecules
-
define humidity
amount of water vapor in the air
-
what device is used to measure humidity?
sling psychrometer
-
define air pressure
weight of atmosphere pushing down on us
-
what do we use to measure air pressure?
barometer
-
define wind
horizontal movement of air
-
what do you use to measure wind speed?
anemometer
-
what do you use to measure wind direction?
vane
-
define precipitation
moisture falling back on earth
-
what does temperature affect?
pressure, denisty, humidity
-
what does humidity affect?
pressure
-
what affect does temperature have on density?
as temp. increases, density decreases
-
what affect does temp. have on pressure?
as temp. increases, pressure decreases
-
what affect does temp. have on humidity?
as temp. increases, humidity increases
-
what is relative humdity?
the amount of water vapor the air is holding compared to the amount it can hold
-
what is dew point temp.?
when the air is fully saturated (filled with water vapor) and condensation begins
-
dew point temp. can never be __________ than air temp.
greater
-
what does condensation lead to?
cloud formation
-
what is the relationship between humidity and pressure?
as humidity increases, pressure decreases
-
define clouds
large group of tiny water droplets suspended in the air
-
what are the steps of cloud formation
- warm moist air rises
- expands
- cools
- condenses
- liquid droplets combined with condensation nuclei form a cloud
-
what is the orographic effect?
mountains block prevailing winds which forces air to rise on one side and sink on the other
-
what is the windward side of a mountain
cool and wet
-
what is the leeward side of the mountain?
warm and dry
-
define air pressure
the weight of the atmpsphere as it pushes down on the earths surface
-
in what directions is air pressure exerted
all directions
-
air pressure decreases with _______
altitude
-
what is the unit of measurement for air pressure?
millibars or inches
-
describe high pressure
- happy weather
- cooler and drier
-
describe low pressure
- lousy weather
- warmer and wet
-
describe cool air
- heavier
- more dense
- drier
- high pressure
- happy (clear) weather
-
describe warm air
- lighter
- less dense
- moist
- low pressure
- lousy weather
-
define wind
horizontal movement of air
-
in what direction does wind blow?
from high pressure to low pressure
|
|