Term
the atmosphere
Description and location |
|
Definition
| extended 6000 miles; 97% is concentrated in the first 18 miles; exerts a pressure of 14.7 lb/sq in at sea level. |
|
|
Term
composition (different types of what makes up the atmosphere)
name one |
|
Definition
| 1. gases: 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, .93 argon, .03 Co2 |
|
|
Term
composition (different types of what makes up the atmosphere)
next one |
|
Definition
| water vapor- found in lower atmosphere. |
|
|
Term
composition (different types of what makes up the atmosphere)
next next one |
|
Definition
| oxygen- used in breathing |
|
|
Term
composition (different types of what makes up the atmosphere)
2nd 2 last |
|
Definition
| carbon dioxide- needed for photosynthesis. absorbs heat; greenhouse effect. |
|
|
Term
composition (different types of what makes up the atmosphere)
last one |
|
Definition
| ozone- absorbs ultraviolet. "ozone hole" |
|
|
Term
composition (different types of what makes up the atmosphere)
another last one |
|
Definition
| liquids and solids- water,; also dust, pollen, seeds, salt, insect parts, viruses ,bacteria. |
|
|
Term
composition (different types of what makes up the atmosphere)
last one for real |
|
Definition
| hygroscopic nuclei- nuclei of condensation, small solids for water to condense upon the atmosphere. |
|
|
Term
4 layers of the atmosphere (based upon temperature)
1. |
|
Definition
| 1. troposphere- lowest; temperatures decrease with altitude; normal lapse rate |
|
|
Term
4 layers of the atmosphere (based upon temperature)
2. |
|
Definition
| stratosphere- temperatures increase with altitude; ozone layer/90% less contained here. |
|
|
Term
4 layers of the atmosphere (based upon temperature)
3. |
|
Definition
| mesophere- temperatures decase with altitude |
|
|
Term
4 layers of the atmosphere (based upon temperature)
4. |
|
Definition
| Thermosphere, temps increase; ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| atmospheric conditions at a given time and place. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| study of the changing atmospheric conditions |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| average weather and deviations likely to occur |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| study of the different varieties of climate on earth |
|
|
Term
| elements, (key ingredients of weather and climate) |
|
Definition
1. solar energy
2. temperature
3. precipitation and moisture
4. pressure and winds. |
|
|
Term
Controls (cause changes or variations in elements)
1. |
|
Definition
| latitude- influences temp |
|
|
Term
Controls (cause changes or variations in elements)
2. |
|
Definition
Land vs water- land quick to heat, quick to cool
water slow to heat, slow to cool |
|
|
Term
Controls (cause changes or variations in elements)
3. |
|
Definition
ocean currents warm vs cold currents
cold current will have cold air/vice versa |
|
|
Term
Controls (cause changes or variations in elements)
4. |
|
Definition
| altitude- gets cooler as you go up troposphere. |
|
|
Term
Controls (cause changes or variations in elements)
5. |
|
Definition
| landform barriers- block movements of air |
|
|
Term
Controls (cause changes or variations in elements)
6. |
|
Definition
| people- deliberate vs. unintentional. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Electromagnetic radiation |
|
Definition
| energy from the sun; 41% visible |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| amount of energy received at the top of the atmosphere |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| incoming solar radiation; that reveived at the earths surface |
|
|
Term
effects of the atmosphere on solar radiation
1. |
|
Definition
| 25% reflected back by clouds and the ground |
|
|
Term
effects of the atmosphere on solar radiation
2. |
|
Definition
| 7% scattered to space; why the sky is blue. |
|
|
Term
effects of the atmosphere on solar radiation
3. |
|
Definition
| 20% scattered down to earth |
|
|
Term
effects of the atmosphere on solar radiation
4. |
|
Definition
| 25% direct radiation (transmission) |
|
|
Term
effects of the atmosphere on solar radiation
5. |
|
Definition
| 18% absorbed by ozone layer, water vapor, etc. |
|
|
Term
Heating of the air
absorption |
|
Definition
| accounts for only 10-15% of the total |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the hotter the body, the more energy it will radiate, and the shorter the wavelength of that radiation. |
|
|
Term
Methods of heat transfer
1. |
|
Definition
| radiation- most important method; greenhouse effect |
|
|
Term
Methods of heat transfer
2. |
|
Definition
| conduction- molecular contact; from warm to cool; example spoon in coffee |
|
|
Term
Methods of heat transfer
3. |
|
Definition
| convection- vertical transfer; warm air expands and rises |
|
|
Term
Methods of heat transfer
4. |
|
Definition
| advection- horizontal heat transfer; wind |
|
|
Term
Methods of heat transfer
5. |
|
Definition
| latent heat of condensation- heat is released when condensation is occurring. |
|
|
Term
short-term variations in temp
1. |
|
Definition
| daily effects- maximum around 2:00-3:00 pm; lowest just after sunrise. |
|
|
Term
short-term variations in temp
2. |
|
Definition
| annual effects- warmest month is july or august |
|
|
Term
short-term variations in temp
3. |
|
Definition
| clouds- lower temperatures on a cloudy day; warmer on a cloudy night |
|
|
Term
short-term variations in temp
4. |
|
Definition
| land vs water- water (coastal) places have less extremes in temp |
|
|
Term
short-term variations in temp
5. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
short-term variations in temp
6. |
|
Definition
| reflection- albedo, a low albedo produces a high (warm) temperature. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the vertical distribution of temperature |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| that temp values at which condensation will occur. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a reversal of the normal vertical distribution of temp |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| common at 30-35 degrees N and S; occurs above the surface |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| occurs at ground level; common on cold, clear, still nights |
|
|
Term
| inversions and air pollution |
|
Definition
| cause bad pollution problems |
|
|
Term
| air drainage in hilly areas |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| warm zone on the slopes above the frost pocket |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| at the bottom where the cold air accumulates |
|
|
Term
| atmospheric pressure and winds |
|
Definition
| pressure- 14.7lb/sq in. one atmosphere |
|
|
Term
| measurement of air pressure |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| standard seal level pressure |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| 1 inch-33.9 mb; standard is 1,013.25mb |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a box with partial vacuum |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an aneroid barometer with a clock device to make a continuous record |
|
|
Term
| vertical variations in pressure |
|
Definition
| higher up means less pressure |
|
|
Term
| horizontal variations in pressure: 2 causes |
|
Definition
1. thermal- warm air rises; equator
2. dynamic- possibly due to earth rotation |
|
|
Term
| idealized world pressure belts |
|
Definition
1. equatorial low-- trough-- thermal
2. subtropical highs--30degN and S-- dynamic
3. sobpolar lows--60-65degN and S-- dynamic
4. polar highs--thermal cold |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| lines connecting points of equal pressure |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. pressure gradient-- from high pressure to low pressure
2. Coriolis effect-deflection to the right in the north hemisphere
3. other factors- friction |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| lows--into in an counterclockwise spiral |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| highs--out of in a clockwise spiral |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| cyclones(lows) at the surface |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| anticyclones(highs) at the surface |
|
|
Term
wind terminology
1.name
2. windward
3. leeward
4. prevailing winds |
|
Definition
1. after the source; north winds blows from north to the south
2. the side of a mountain facing into the wind
3. the back side of the mountain; the direction toward which it is blowing
4. blow more from one direction than any other. |
|
|
Term
Wind Measurement
1. wind vane
2.Anemometer |
|
Definition
1. measures direction; points to the source
2. measures wind speed. |
|
|
Term
the earths surface wind system:
1. trades
2. doldrums |
|
Definition
1. from teh subtropical hights to the equator
2. equatorial trough; intertropical convergence zone; calm. |
|
|
