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GLG 120 exam #1
Chs 1, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
137
Geology
Undergraduate 2
02/17/2018

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Term
scattering
Definition
the redirecting (in all directions) of light by small particles and gas molecules in the atmosphere. The result is diffused light.
Term
adiabatic temperature change
Definition
cooling or warming of air caused when air is allowed to expand or is compressed, not because heat is added or subtracted.
Term
lapse rate (normal)
Definition
the average drop in temp with increased altitude in the troposphere.
Term
revolution
Definition
the motion of one body about another, as Earth about the Sun.
Term
frontal wedging
Definition
lifting of air resulting when cool air acts as a barrier over which warmer, lighter air will rise.
Term
fog
Definition
a cloud with its base at or very near Earth's surface
Term
hygrometer
Definition
an instrument designed to measure relative humidity.
Term
upslope fog
Definition
fog created when air moves up a slope and cools adiabatically.
Term
negative-feedback mechanism/group
Definition
a feedback mechanism that tends to maintain a system as it is; that is, maintain the status quo.
Term
humidity
Definition
a general term referring to water vapor in the air but not to liquid droplets of fog, cloud, or rain
Term
evaporation
Definition
the process of converting a liquid to a gas
Term
peridotite
Definition
an igneous rock of ultramafic composition thought to be abundant in the upper mantle.
Term
humid subtropic climate
Definition
a climate generally located on the eastern side of a continent and characterized by hot, sultry summers and cool winters.
Term
mixing ratio
Definition
the mass of water vapor in a unit mass of dry air; commonly expressed as grams of water vapor per kilogram of dry air.
Term
daily mean temperature
Definition
the mean temperature for a day, which is determined by averaging the hourly readings or, more commonly, by averaging the maximum and minimum temps for a day.
Term
saturation
Definition
the maximum quantity of water vapor that the air can hold at any given temp and pressure
Term
glaze
Definition
a coating of ice on objects formed when supercooled rain freezes on contact
Term
conduction
Definition
the transfer of heat through matter by molecular activity. Energy is transferred through collisions from one molecule to another.
Term
overrunning
Definition
warm air gliding up a retreating cold air mass
Term
troposphere
Definition
the lowermost layer of the atmosphere. It is generally characterized by a decrease in temp with height.
Term
hail
Definition
nearly spherical ice pellets having concentric layers and formed by a successive freezing of layers of water.
Term
unstable air
Definition
air that does not resist vertical displacement. If it is lifted, its temp will not cool as rapidly as the surrounding environment, so it will continue to rise on its own.
Term
latent heat
Definition
the energy absorbed or released during a change in state.
Term
localized convection lifting
Definition
unequal surface heating that causes localized pockets of air (thermals) to rise because of their buoyancy.
Term
visible light
Definition
radiation with a wavelength from 0.4 to 0.7 micrometer.
Term
cyclone
Definition
a low-pressure center characterized by a counterclockwise flow of air in the Northern Hemisphere.
Term
occluded front
Definition
a front formed when a cold front overtakes a warm front. It marks the beginning of the end of a middle-latitude cyclone.
Term
steam fog
Definition
fog produced by evaporation from a warm water surface into the cool air above.
Term
subarctic climate
Definition
a climate found north of the humid continental climate and south of the polar climate and characterized by bitterly cold winters and short, cool summers. Places within this climate realm experience the highest annual temp ranges on Earth.
Term
ozone
Definition
a molecule of oxygen that contains three oxygen atoms. Located in the stratosphere.
Term
summer solstice
Definition
occurs on June 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on December 21-22 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Term
deposition
Definition
the process by which water vapor is changed directly to a solid without passing through the liquid state.
Term
low-velocity zone
Definition
see Asthenosphere
Term
low cloud
Definition
a cloud that forms below a height of 2000 meters (1,200 miles).
Term
stratosphere
Definition
the layer of the atmosphere immediately above the troposphere, characterized by increasing temps with height, due to the concentration of ozone.
Term
thermosphere
Definition
the region of the atmosphere immediately above the mesosphere and characterized by increasing temps due to absorption of very shortwave solar energy by oxygen.
Term
electromagnetic radiation
Definition
see Radiation
Term
calorie
Definition
the amount of heat required to raise the temp of 1 gram of water 1 degree C.
Term
continental air mass
Definition
an air mass that forms over land; it is normally relatively dry.
Term
sleet
Definition
frozen or semi-frozen rain formed when raindrops freeze as they pass through a later of cold air.
Term
inclination of the axis
Definition
the tilt of Earth's axis from the perpendicular to the plane of Earth's orbit.
Term
condensation
Definition
the change of state from a gas to a liquid.
Term
wet adiabatic rate
Definition
the rate of adiabatic temp change in saturated air. The rate of temp change is variable, but it is always less than the dry adiabatic rate.
Term
bergeron process
Definition
a theory that relates the formation of precipitation of supercooled clouds, freezing nuclei, and the different saturation levels of ice and liquid water.
Term
rotation
Definition
the spinning of a body, such as Earth, about its axis.
Term
clouds of vertical development
Definition
clouds that have their bases in the low-height range but extend upward into the middle of high altitudes.
Term
tropical storm
Definition
by international agreement, a tropical cyclone with maximum winds between 61 and 119 kilometer (38 and 74 miles) per hour.
Term
air mass
Definition
a large body of air that is characterized by a sameness of temp and humidity.
Term
freezing nuclei
Definition
solid particles that serve as cores for the formation of ice crystals.
Term
absolute stability
Definition
air that has a lapse rate greater than the dry adiabatic rate.
Term
tropic of capricorn
Definition
the parallel of latitude, 23 1/2 degrees south latitude, marking the southern limit of Sun's vertical rays.
Term
desert
Definition
one of the 2 types of dry climate; the driest of the dry climates. Also known as arid.
Term
rime
Definition
a thin coating of ice on objects produced when supercooled fog droplets freeze on contact.
Term
air-mass weather
Definition
the conditions experienced in an area as an air mass passes over it. Because air masses are large and fairly homogenous, this will be fairly constant and may last for several days.
Term
source region
Definition
the area where an air mass acquires its characteristic properties of temp and moisture.
Term
tropical wet and dry
Definition
a climate that is transitional between the wet tropics and the subtropical steppes.
Term
climate system
Definition
the exchanges of energy and moisture that occur among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, solid Earth, biosphere, and cryosphere.
Term
heat
Definition
the kinetic energy of random molecular motion.
Term
positive-feedback mechanism/group
Definition
a feedback mechanism that enhances or drives change.
Term
dry adiabatic rate
Definition
the rate of adiabatic cooling or warming in unsaturated air. The rate of temp change is 1 degree C per 100 meters.
Term
low pressure
Definition
a center of pressure characterized by cyclonic winds
Term
cold front
Definition
a front along which a cold air mass thrusts beneath a warmer air mass.
Term
theory
Definition
a well-tested and widely accepted view that explains certain observable facts.
Term
elements of weather and climate
Definition
quantities or properties of the atmosphere that are measured regularly and that are used to express the nature of the 2 things.
Term
highland climate
Definition
a complex patter of climate conditions associated with mountains. These climates are characterized by large differences that occur over short distances.
Term
enhanced fujita intensity scale (EF-scale)
Definition
a scale originally developed by a scientist for classifying the severity of a tornado, based on the correlation of wind speed with the degree of destruction.
Term
tropical rain forest
Definition
a luxuriant broadleaf evergreen forest; also, the name given the climate associated with this vegetation.
Term
eye
Definition
a zone of scattered clouds and calm averaging about 20 milometers (12 miles) in diameter at the center of a hurricane.
Term
albedo
Definition
the reflectivity of a substance, usually expressed as a percentage of the incident radiation reflected.
Term
convergence
Definition
the condition that exists when the distribution of winds in a given area results in a net horizontal inflow of air into the area. Because this at low levels is associated with an upward movement of air, areas of these winds are regions favorable to cloud formation and precipitation.
Term
abyssal plain
Definition
a very level area of the deep-ocean floor, usually lying at the foot of the continental rise.
Term
energy
Definition
the capacity to do work.
Term
spring equinox
Definition
occurs on March 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on September 21023 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Term
air
Definition
a mixture of many discrete gases, of which nitrogen and oxygen are the most abundant, in which varying quantities of tiny solid and liquid particles are suspended.
Term
cloud
Definition
a form of condensation best described as a dense concentration of suspended water droplets or tiny ice crystals.
Term
environmental lapse rate
Definition
a rate of temp decrease with increasing height in the troposphere
Term
radiation
Definition
the transfer of energy (heat) through space by electromagnetic waves.
Term
equinox
Definition
the time when the vertical rays of the Sun are striking the equator. The length of daylight and darkness is equal at all latitudes at this.
Term
arctic air mass
Definition
a bitterly cold air mass that forms over this frozen ocean.
Term
freezing
Definition
the change in state from a liquid to a solid.
Term
maritime air mass
Definition
an air mass that originates over the ocean. These air masses are relatively humid.
Term
reflection
Definition
the process whereby light bounces back from an object at the same angle at which it encounters a surface and with the same intensity.
Term
supercooled
Definition
the condition of water droplets that remain in the liquid state at temps well below 0 degrees C (32 degrees F).
Term
greenhouse effect
Definition
the transmission of short-wave solar radiation by the atmosphere, coupled with the selective absorption of longer-wavelength terrestrial radiation, especially by water vapor and carbon dioxide.
Term
geologic time
Definition
the span of time since the formation of Earth, about 4.6 billion year.
Term
rain shadow effect
Definition
a dry area of the lee side of a mountain range. Many mid-latitude deserts are of this type.
Term
mid-ocean ridge
Definition
a continuous mountainous ridge on the floor of all the major ocean basins and varying in width. The rifts at the crests of these ridges represent divergent plate boundaries.
Term
doppler radar
Definition
in addition to performing the tasks of conventional radar, a new generation of weather radar that can detect motion directly and hence greatly improve tornado and severe storm warnings.
Term
relative humidity
Definition
the ratio of the air's water vapor content to its water vapor capacity.
Term
diffused light
Definition
solar energy scattered and reflected in the atmosphere that reaches Earth's surface in the form of this blue light from the sky.
Term
orographic lifting
Definition
mountains acting as barriers to the flow of air, forcing the air to ascent. The air cools adiabatically, and clouds and precipitation may result.
Term
front
Definition
the boundary between 2 adjoining air masses having contrasting characteristics.
Term
temperature gradient
Definition
the amount of temp change per unit of distance
Term
aerosols
Definition
tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere
Term
ocean basin
Definition
a deep submarine region that lies beyond the continental margins.
Term
polar air mass
Definition
a cold air mass that forms in a high-latitude source region.
Term
storm surge
Definition
the abnormal rise of the sea along a shore as a result of strong winds.
Term
radiation fog
Definition
fog resulting from (this) heat loss by Earth.
Term
Koppen classification
Definition
a system for classifying climates devised by this person that is based on mean monthly and annual values of temp and precipitation.
Term
midlatitude (middle-latitude) cyclone
Definition
a large center of low pressure with an associated cold front and often a warm front. Frequently accompanied by abundant precipitation
Term
frontal fog
Definition
fog formed when rain evaporates as it falls through a layer of cool air.
Term
black carbon
Definition
soot generated by combustion processes and fires.
Term
dew-point temperature
Definition
the temp to which air has to be cooled in order to reach saturation.
Term
advection fog
Definition
a fog formed when warm, moist air is blown over a cool surface.
Term
hygroscopic nuclei
Definition
condensation nuclei having a high affinity for water, such as salt particles.
Term
mountain belt
Definition
a geographic area of roughly parallel and geologically connected mountain ranges developed as a result of plate tectonics.
Term
temperature inversion
Definition
a layer in the atmosphere of limited depth where the temp increases rather than decreases with height.
Term
precipitation fog
Definition
fog formed when rain evaporates as it falls through a layer of cool air.
Term
snow
Definition
a solid form of precipitation produced by sublimation of water vapor.
Term
tropical depression
Definition
by international agreement, a tropical cyclone with maximum winds that do not exceed 61 kilometers (38 miles) per hour.
Term
tropic of cancer
Definition
the parallel of latitude, 23 1/2 degrees north latitude, marking the northern limit of the Sun's vertical rays.
Term
stationary front
Definition
a situation in which the surface position of a front does not move; the flow on either side of such a boundary is nearly parallel to the position of the front.
Term
stable air
Definition
air that resists vertical displacement. If it is lifted, adiabatic cooling with cause its temp to be lower than the surrounding environment; if it is allowed it will sink to its original position.
Term
ice cap climate
Definition
a climate that has no monthly means above freezing and supports no vegetation cover except in a few scattered high mountain areas. This climate, with its perpetual ice and snow, is confined largely to the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica.
Term
warm front
Definition
a front along which a warm air mass overrides a retreating mass of cooler air.
Term
humid continental climate
Definition
a relatively severe climate characteristic of broad continents in the middle latitudes between approximately 40 degrees and 50 degrees north latitude. This climate is not found in the Southern Hemisphere, where the middle latitudes are dominated by the oceans.
Term
dry-summer subtropical climate
Definition
a climate located on the west sides of continents between latitudes 30 degrees and 45 degrees. It is the only humid climate with a strong winter precipitation maximum.
Term
system
Definition
any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole.
Term
mesosphere
Definition
the layer of the atmosphere immediately above the stratosphere and characterized by decreasing temps with height.
Term
dry climate
Definition
a climate in which yearly precipitation is not as great as the potential loss of water by evaporation. Also known as arid climate.
Term
condensation nuclei
Definition
tiny bits of particulate matter that serve as surfaces on which water vapor condenses.
Term
arid
Definition
see desert.
Term
tundra climate
Definition
a climate found almost exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere or at high altitudes in many mountainous regions. A treeless climatic realm of sedges, grasses, mosses, and lichens that is dominated by a long, bitterly cold winter.
Term
autumnal equinox
Definition
occurs on September 21-23 in the Northern Hemisphere and on March 21-22 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Term
semiarid
Definition
see steppe
Term
parcel
Definition
an imaginary volume of air enclosed in a thin elastic cover. Typically it is considered to be a few hundred cubic meters in volume and is assumed to act independently of the surrounding air.
Term
marine west coast climate
Definition
a climate found on windward coasts from latitudes 40 degrees to 65 degrees and dominated by maritime air masses. Winters are mild and summers are cool.
Term
plate tectonics
Definition
the theory which proposes that Earth's outer shell consists of individual plates that interact in various ways and thereby produce earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, and the crust itself.
Term
winter solstice
Definition
occurs on December 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on June 21-22 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Term
temperature
Definition
a measure of the degree of hotness or coldness of a substance; a measure of the average kinetic energy of individual atoms or molecules in a substance.
Term
solstice
Definition
the time when the vertical rays of the Sun are striking either the Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn. They represent the longest or shortest day (length of daylight) of the year.
Term
rain
Definition
drops of water that fall from clouds that have a diameter of at least 0.5 millimeter (0.02 inch).
Term
conditional instability
Definition
moist air with a lapse rate between the dry and wet adiabatic rates.
Term
isotherms
Definition
lines connecting points of equal temp.
Term
circle of illumination
Definition
the great circle that separates daylight from darkness.
Term
sublimation
Definition
the conversion of a solid directly to a gas without passing through the liquid state.
Term
selective absorbers
Definition
gases that absorb and emit radiation only in certain wavelengths.
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