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VOL1/UNIT1: Understanding the Atmosphere
CDC 1W051A: Self-Test Questions
150
Meteorology
Professional
10/08/2012
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Term
A thin layer of transition between the stratosphere and mesosphere:
 Definition
Stratopause.
Term
Excellent flying conditions exist because of a lack of weather in this layer:
 Definition
Stratosphere.
Term
All our weather occurs in this layer/zone:
 Definition
Troposphere.
Term
This layer has an average lapse rate of 6.5°C per 1,000 meters:
 Definition
Troposphere.
Term
Contains the "E" and "F" layers:
 Definition
Thermosphere.
Term
Noctilucent clouds occur in this layer/zone:
 Definition
Mesosphere & Thermosphere.
Term
Contains most of the ozone of the atmosphere:
 Definition
Stratosphere.
Term
Layer of the earth's atmosphere extending from 262,000 feet to infinity:
 Definition
Thermosphere.
Term
The nacreous, or mother-of-pearl cloud, occurs in this layer:
 Definition
Stratosphere.
Term
Average height of this layer, over the equator, is 10 miles:
 Definition
Tropopause.
Term
Contains the "D" layer:
 Definition
Mesosphere.
Term
Unstable layer(s) of the earth's atmosphere:
 Definition
Troposphere & Mesosphere
Term
A thin layer of transition between the troposphere and stratosphere:
 Definition
Tropopause.
Term
A thin layer of transition between the mesosphere and thermosphere:
 Definition
Mesopause.
Term
Over the poles, average height of this layer is 5 miles:
 Definition
Tropopause.
Term
Contains layers of electrons that reflect radio waves:
 Definition
Mesosphere & Thermosphere.
Term
Occupies 21% by volume of the atmosphere:
 Definition
Oxygen.
Term
Occupies 1.2% by volume of the atmosphere:
 Definition
Water vapor.
Term
Occupies almost 1 percent by volume of the atmosphere:
 Definition
Argon.
Term
Occupies 78 percent by volume of the atmosphere:
 Definition
Nitrogen.
Term
Occupies 0.03 percent by volume of the atmosphere:
 Definition
Carbon dioxide.
Term
The most important gas to meteorology:
 Definition
Water vapor.
Term
The amount of this gas varies with the seasons:
 Definition
Carbon dioxide.
Term
The colder the air, the less of this gas there is in the air:
 Definition
Water vapor.
Term
Maximum quantities are found in the stratosphere:
 Definition
Ozone.
Term
The more of this gas the air holds, the lighter it will be:
 Definition
Water vapor.
Term
This gas is at a maximum around cities and industrial regions:
 Definition
Carbon dioxide.
Term
Four percent by volume is the maximum amount of this gas the air can hold:
 Definition
Water vapor.
Term
This absorbs ultraviolet radiation:
 Definition
Ozone.
Term
All weather clouds and precipitation are produced by this gas:
 Definition
Oxygen.
Term
This layer prevents the sun from burning up the earth:
 Definition
Ozone.
Term
What is the catalyst for the formation of weather?
 Definition
How the earth and its atmosphere is heated (differential heating)
Term
As the angle of incidence increases, what happens to the concentration of solar radiation?
 Definition
It decreases, radiation spreads over a larger area; earth's surface is heated less
Term
Name the two motions of the earth that have an effect on weather:
 Definition
Rotation and revolution.
Term
The angle of inclination combined with the revolution of the earth around the sun causes what events?
 Definition
The seasons.
Term
When an equinox occurs, where is an equal amount of sunshine received?
 Definition
In both hemispheres.
Term
What two atmospheric gases are responsible for absorbing incoming solar radiation?
 Definition
Oxygen & Ozone.
Term
Which wavelengths are most susceptible to atmospheric scattering?
 Definition
The shorter wavelengths, particularly where particles are less than 0.5 microns.
Term
Approximately how much of the incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere?
 Definition
20%
Term
Approximately how much solar radiation is reflected by the earth’s surfaces?
 Definition
3%
Term
Briefly describe conditions that cause a single-cell circulation pattern:
 Definition
Single-cell circulation is the result of differential heating of a non-rotating earth with a smooth surface.
Term
What’s the main driving mechanism responsible for the earth’s large-scale atmospheric circulations?
 Definition
Unequal heating of the earth.
Term
Strong easterly surface winds are found beneath this cell:
 Definition
Polar cell.
Term
A strong Coriolis force sharply alters wind direction:
 Definition
Hadley & Polar cell.
Term
Circulation in this cell is interrupted by the exchange of polar and tropical air:
 Definition
Ferrel cell.
Term
The cell most responsible for subtropical belt of high pressure:
 Definition
Hadley cell.
Term
Northeast trade winds are found beneath this cell:
 Definition
Hadley cell.
Term
The cell dominated by westerly flow at the surface and aloft:
 Definition
Ferrel cell.
Term
Strongest of the three cells:
 Definition
Hadley cell.
Term
Generally located between 30 and 60°:
 Definition
Ferrel cell.
Term
The cell created by rising equatorial air:
 Definition
Hadley cell.
Term
Mean position is between 60 and 90°:
 Definition
Polar cell.
Term
Upper-level flow in this cell is deflected eastward:
 Definition
Hadley cell.
Term
Which force is any force that causes a body to veer from a straight path?
 Definition
Centripetal force.
Term
If a bucket of water is swung perpendicular to the ground, what force keeps water in the bucket from falling out even when the bucket is upside down?
 Definition
Centrifugal force.
Term
In circular motion, what force acts against the inertia of the moving object?
 Definition
Centripetal force.
Term
What force causes objects to veer from their intended path on a rotating platform?
 Definition
Coriolis force.
Term
What force is the equal and opposite reaction to center-seeking forces?
 Definition
Centrifugal force.
Term
What force appears to cause objects in the southern hemisphere to be deflected to the left of their intended path?
 Definition
Coriolis force.
Term
What are the four forces that dictate the general circulation pattern?
 Definition
Coriolis, centrifugal, frictional & pressure gradient.
Term
Which force starts the horizontal movement of air over the earth’s surface?
 Definition
Pressure gradient.
Term
Describe contour gradient force:
 Definition
The force that represents PGF on a constant-pressure product. It's the rate of height change with change in distance on a constant-pressure surface.
Term
What kind of flow is created when PGF equals CoF?
 Definition
Geostrophic flow.
Term
What does Buy Ballot’s law state?
 Definition
In the Northern Hemisphere, if the wind is at your back, lower pressure is to your left and higher pressure is to your right.
Term
What can a pilot expect the wind direction and speed to do as the aircraft descends into an area with rough terrain? Why?
 Definition
The wind direction will back and the wind speed will slow due to increased friction.
Term
What’s the difference between confluence and difluence?
 Definition
Confluence is the merging of wind flow, whereas difluence is the spreading apart of wind flow.
Term
Where do winds deflect towards in a supergradient wind condition and what’s happening to the air parcels?
 Definition
Towards higher heights; the parcels are converting kinetic energy to potential energy.
Term
A hurricane is an example of what kind of wind?
 Definition
Cyclostrophic.
Term
Dominates the Atlantic Ocean west of Africa:
 Definition
North Atlantic/Azores high.
Term
Most prevalent over the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere during January:
 Definition
South Atlantic high.
Term
Dominates Asia during the winter:
 Definition
Siberian high.
Term
Located in the North Atlantic Ocean near Greenland:
 Definition
Icelandic low.
Term
Dominates the continents of the Southern Hemisphere during January:
 Definition
Semi-permanent; low.
Term
In the summer it’s located east of the Persian Gulf near 23°N:
 Definition
Asiatic low.
Term
The influence of the Polar high makes it less prevalent in the summer:
 Definition
Aleutian low.
Term
Fair weather is associated with this system in the middle latitudes:
 Definition
Migratory high pressure.
Term
Lack of land masses near 60°S allows this to remain as a somewhat constant belt of pressure:
 Definition
Semi-permanent low pressure.
Term
Found as an extension of another feature and is located off the Southeast Coast of the United States:
 Definition
Bermuda high.
Term
Briefly define a jet stream:
 Definition
A narrow belt of strong winds, with speeds of 50 to 200 knots, in the upper troposphere.
Term
How does the jet stream vary in latitude and altitude around the world?
 Definition
Jet stream position varies between different latitudes and elevations around the earth. It even varies in latitude and elevation within a small geographical area. the jet stream may appear as a continuous band around the earth, but more often it gradually diminishes at one or more points and then reappears farther downstream.
Term
Two major jet streams are frequently observed. What are they?
 Definition
The PFJ & STJ.
Term
Of the horizontal or vertical wind shears associated with the jet stream, which is the stronger?
 Definition
The vertical wind shear associated with the jet stream is much stronger than the horizontal.
Term
Where does the greatest vertical wind shear occur with respect to the jet core?
 Definition
Immediately above the jet core.
Term
Where does the greatest horizontal shear occur with respect to the jet core?
 Definition
North of the jet core.
Term
Jet stream found near the Arctic Circle:
 Definition
Arctic/Polar night jet stream.
Term
Observed in the latitudinal range of 25 to 30°N near the 150-mb level:
 Definition
Subtropical jet stream.
Term
Jet stream which divides the tropopause into the polar and midlatitude leaves:
 Definition
Polar front jet stream.
Term
Summertime jet stream found over southern Asia and northern Africa at the 150-mb level:
 Definition
Tropical easterly jet stream.
Term
The jet streams which most affect the Northern Hemisphere:
 Definition
PFJ & STJ.
Term
What are the two primary causes of jet stream formation?
 Definition
Large horizontal temperature contrast and conservation of angular momentum.
Term
What’s the primary originator of the PFJ stream?
 Definition
Horizontal temperature contrast.
Term
In relation to the 500-mb surface, where is the PFJ core usually found?
 Definition
The 500-mb isotherm ribbon.
Term
Along what isotherm does the PFJ intersect the 500-mb surface?
 Definition
The -17°C isotherm.
Term
At what altitude do you usually find the jet stream core during the winter?
 Definition
29,400 to 30,300 feet.
Term
The width of the jet core is approximately equal to what isotherm ribbon?
 Definition
500-mb.
Term
What factor accelerates the STJ?
 Definition
Conservation of angular momentum.
Term
What might a wedged-shaped cloud pattern seen on satellite imagery over Texas indicate? What causes this pattern to occur?
 Definition
Severe weather; The interaction of the PFJ and STJ.
Term

The longitudinal axis tends to follow the long-wave pattern.

 

(Organized or disorganized?)

 Definition
Organized.
Term

The wind gradient along the axis becomes very strong (often exceeding 100 knots)

 

(Organized or disorganized?)

 Definition
Organized.
Term

Jet fingers are formed often and about 300 to 400 miles apart.

 

(Organized or disorganized?)

 Definition
Disorganized.
Term

Well-defined wind speeds of 50 knots or more disappear.

 

(Organized or disorganized?)

 Definition
Disorganized.
Term

The distance between isotach maxima is 10 to 25° longitude.

 

(Organized or disorganized?)

 Definition
Disorganized.
Term
How will the jet stream lie in relation to an occlusion and to a cold front oriented north-south, with no associated warm front?
 Definition
Perpendicular.
Term
Where does the jet stream remain (north or south) in relation to an unoccluded wave cyclone?
 Definition
North.
Term
Does the jet stream lie north or south of the low associated with an occluded front?
 Definition
South (near the point of occlusion).
Term
Will the jet stream parallel the direction of the warm sector isobars of a surface low?
 Definition
Yes.
Term
Does the jet stream roughly parallel the isobars around the northern periphery of a warm (slow-moving) surface high?
 Definition
Yes.
Term
When a cold surface high dissipates, what happens to the jet stream aloft?
 Definition
The jet aloft usually dissipates.
Term
List the four cloud patterns associated with the jet stream:
 Definition
Lines of cirrus in bands, patches of cirrocumulus castellanus, lenticular clouds in waves, and waves of altocumulus.
Term
Where do clouds most frequently occur in relation to the jet core and the equator?
 Definition
5,000 to 10,000 feet below the jet core and 4 to 5° equatorward.
Term
Where do clouds most frequently occur in relation to the jet core and the poles?
 Definition
10,000 to 15,000 feet below the jet core and 4 to 5° poleward.
Term
Precipitation usually straddles the jet, with a slight bias toward which side of the jet?
 Definition
Poleward side.
Term
Explain Wein’s law:
 Definition
The wavelength at which the maximum amount of energy is emitted by an object is inversely proportional to the temperature of the object.
Term
What wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum allows weather satellites to obtain imagery during both day and night?
 Definition
Infrared.
Term
Why do calm, cloudy nights tend to be warmer than calm, clear nights?
 Definition
Because clouds composed of tiny water vapor droplets are excellent absorbers/emitters of infrared radiation.
Term
Would thick clouds or a forest have a higher albedo? Why?
 Definition
Thick clouds because they have a higher reflective capability.
Term
What can be said about the earth in terms of absorption of solar radiation and emission of infrared radiation?
 Definition
The earth absorbs solar radiation only during daylight hours; however, it emits infrared radiation continuously, both day and night.
Term
Would soil or air have better heat conductivity? Why?
 Definition
Soil, because it's a better conductor of heat than air due to its molecular structure and density.
Term
What’s convection?
 Definition
The vertical transport of atmospheric properties (heat & moisture).
Term
What can initiate convection?
 Definition
Any individual occurrence or combination of: surface heating, low-level convergence, orographic effects and frontal lift.
Term
What’s advection?
 Definition
The horizontal transport of atmospheric properties such as heat.
Term
Name the three factors needed for air mass formation:
 Definition
Surface that has comparatively uniform properties, stagnant air over the uniform surface, large divergent flow.
Term
Most effective method of creating temperature equilibrium in an air mass:
 Definition
Turbulent-convective transport.
Term
Slowest method of creating temperature equilibrium in an air mass:
 Definition
Radiational cooling.
Term
Fastest method of creating temperature equilibrium in an air mass:
 Definition
Turbulent-convective transport.
Term
Not effective by itself for creating temperature equilibrium in an air mass:
 Definition
Evaporation and condensation.
Term
Effective in polar regions for creating temperature equilibrium in an air mass:
 Definition
Radiational cooling.
Term
Why are anticyclonic systems excellent for formation of air masses?
 Definition
They have stagnant or slowly moving air, with divergent airflow and turbulent-convective mixing.
Term
Why are cyclonic systems poor for forming air masses?
 Definition
They have strong winds, convergent wind flow, and comparatively fast-moving systems.
Term
Define air mass:
 Definition
A widespread body of air identified horizontally by temperature and moisture characteristics.
Term
What specific characteristics do air masses acquire when they form over oceans?
 Definition
Mild temperatures, considerable moisture in the lower layers, moderate lapse rates, and a degree of conditional instability.
Term
In what air mass can ice fog form?
 Definition
Wintertime continental polar air mass.
Term
Which air mass is moist and unstable in the lower layers and cold and dry aloft?
 Definition
Wintertime maritime polar air mass.
Term
Which air mass is hot, dry, and unstable?
 Definition
Continental tropical air mass.
Term
This air mass is very moist, very warm and noticeably unstable:
 Definition
Summertime mT.
Term
Found over open oceans at high latitudes:
 Definition
Wintertime/Summertime mP.
Term
Exceptionally cold, stable and very dry air mass:
 Definition
Wintertime cP.
Term
Lapse rates in the lower levels often approach the dry adiabatic lapse rate:
 Definition
Wintertime mT.
Term
Cool and moist in the lower layers, and cool and dry aloft:
 Definition
Summertime mP.
Term
Similar to the upper-level sinking air that flows out of the subtropical anticyclones:
 Definition
cT.
Term
Cool and dry, but not necessarily stable:
 Definition
Summertime cP.
Term
Source region in the southwestern Caribbean:
 Definition
Wintertime mT.
Term
Moist and unstable in the lower layers and cool and dry aloft:
 Definition
Wintertime mP.
Term
Source region is the central portion of high-latitude continents:
 Definition
Summertime cP.
Term
Diagnose the type of modification most likely occurring and indicate the major cause of the modification: mPw air mass moving from Oregon to Wyoming.
Definition
Turbulent mixing, air mass moving over different terrain.
Term
Diagnose the type of modification most likely occurring and indicate the major cause of the modification: cPk air mass moving from Canada into central plains of the US.
 Definition
Thermodynamic, cold air moving over warmer land.
Term
Diagnose the type of modification most likely occurring and indicate the major cause of the modification: mTw air mass moving from Gulf of Mexico into the southern US.
 Definition
Thermodynamic, warm air moving over cooler land.
Term
Diagnose the type of modification most likely occurring and indicate the major cause of the modification: cPw air mass moving across the Great Lakes.
 Definition
Thermodynamic, warm air moving over cooler water.
Term
Diagnose the type of modification most likely occurring and indicate the major cause of the modification: cPw air mass stagnant over Illinois at night.
 Definition
Thermodynamic, nocturnal radiation.
Term
Diagnose the type of modification most likely occurring and indicate the major cause of the modification: mTw air mass moving from South Atlantic Ocean to North Atlantic Ocean.
 Definition
Thermodynamic, warm air moving over colder water.
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