Term
What is the main source of energy to the Earth’s atmosphere and in what form does this energy come to the Earth’s surface? |
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Definition
Sun, energy in the form of solar radiation |
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Term
Know the order of the major bands of the EMR spectrum in order from smallest to largest wavelengths. |
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Definition
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Term
How is heat transferred in each of the following cases: From the Sun to the Earth From the Earth’s surface to the lower atmosphere From the lower atmosphere to higher levels of the atmosphere |
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Definition
Radiation Conduction Convection |
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Term
What are the three most abundant permanent gasses in the atmosphere in order of their abundance? |
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Definition
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Term
What are the three most common variable gasses in the atmosphere? |
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Definition
Water vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Ozone |
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Term
Besides gas, what else is in the atmosphere? |
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Definition
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Term
Know the four principal layers of the atmosphere, how these layers are defined, and the main characteristics of each. |
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Definition
Troposphere: bottom. T goes down w/ altitude. 11km, weather, 80% of atmosphere mass, 15 - (-50) degrees celsius, inherently unstable Stratosphere: T goes up w/ altitude Mesosphere: T goes down w/ altitude Thermosphere: T goes up w/ altitude, absorb photons, up to 1500 degrees celsius, low heat content |
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Term
What are the four main physical characteristics of the atmosphere that are measured to define the weather? |
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Definition
Temperature Pressure Wind Humidity |
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Term
What is the difference between temperature and heat? |
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Definition
Temperature: average kinetic energy of a body Heat: total kinetic energy of the atoms in a body |
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Term
What does an isobar represent on a weather map? |
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Definition
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Term
If you use a mercury barometer to measure pressure, for what three things must you correct? |
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Definition
Elevation Temperature Gravity |
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Term
The spacing of isobars on a weather map is a representation of what type of force? |
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Definition
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Term
What do specific humidity, relative humidity, and dew point measure? |
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Definition
Humidity: measures the amount of moisture (water) in the air Specific Humidity: the mass of water in the given mass of air Dew Point: the temperature at which the air is at 100% relative humitidy |
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Term
What is the difference between sensible and latent heat? |
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Definition
Sensible: heat that changes temperature of the object Latent: changes the phase of the object (no change in temperature) |
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Term
What are the three ways that air which is undersaturated with respect to water can become saturated? |
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Definition
Saturation: evaporation and condensation are equal Add water Mix cold air with warm moist air Lower temperature to dew point |
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Term
What are the names of the two processes by which the temperature of air can change and how is each process defined? |
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Definition
Diabetic: removal or input of heat, common in forming fog Adiabetic: no heat exchange, results from expansion or contraction, forms higher clouds |
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