Term
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Definition
| The state of the atmosphere at any given time. |
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Term
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Definition
| A description of aggregate weather conditions; the sum of all statistical weather information that helps describe a place or region. |
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| List the most important elements of weather and climate. |
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Definition
| The most important elements[those quantities or properties that are measured regurlary- of weather and climate are: 1. air temperature 2. humidity 3. type and amount of cloudiness 4. type and amount of precipitation 5. air pressure 6. the sppd and direction of the wind. |
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| What are the two major components of clean, dry air? Are they important meteorologically? |
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Definition
| Clean, dry air is composed almost entirely of nitrogen, about 78% of the atmosphere by volume, and oxygen O2 about 21%, carbon dioxide only amounts to .036 precent. Yes its important because it has the ability to absorb heat radiated by Earth and thus helps keep the atmosphere war, |
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| Why are water vapor and aerosols important? |
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Definition
| water vapor is important because it is the source of all clouds and precipitation and like carbon dioxide it also a heat absorber. Aerosols are important bc many act as surfaces on whcih water vapor can condense , an important function in the formation of clouds. Second aerosols can absorb or reflect incoming solar radiation. Thus when an air pollution episode is occuring or when ash fills the sky the amount of sunlight reaching Earths surface can be measurably reduced. Also aerosols contribute to the the hues of red and orange in the sunrise. |
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Term
| How is air pressure measured? |
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Definition
| Air pressure is measured by the weight of air above any given point within the atmosphere. |
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Term
| Gases in the atmosphere that absorb some wavelengths strongly and moderately or slightly for other wavelengths are called __________ absorbers. |
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Definition
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