Geography Test 2

If its 30 degrees with no precipitation, what would the air mass be?

Polar, continental

Four types of condensation

clouds, dew, frost, fog

Precipitation comes from clouds that have ____ in their name

"Nimb" - nimbostratus/ cumulonimbus

What are three things an air mass needs to be recognized as such?

1. has to be large 2. At any given altitude, its physical characteristics have to be homogeneous 3. Travels as a unit- can't be torn apart by differences in air flow

Whats the difference between Absolute humidity, Specific humidity, and Relative humidity?

Absolute humidity and Specific humidity is the mass of water vapor in a given volume of air- describes actual water vapor content in air; Relative humidity describes how close the air is to saturation w/ water vapor (ratio)

The mechanism that makes clouds and rain possible?

Adiabatic cooling

In a chinook, cold air passes over one side of the mountain (creating clouds) and warms on the way down. This is a good example of the _______ _______.

Adiabatic process

What do the different air masses : c, m, p, a, t stand for?

C= continental (dry) M= maritime (Wet) P= Polar (cold) A= Arctic ( Very cold) T= Tropical (Very warm)

What are the top 3 areas that have frequent fog?

California Pacific Northwest, Appalachian Mts, and New England territories

The process where water vapor is converted to liquid water while in saturated air (Dewey's can of soda example)

Condensation

Hygroscopic particles or __________ ___________ serve as a collection center for water molecules during condensation.

Condensation nuclei

What are the four types of atmospheric lifting mechanisms?

Convective, orographic, frontal, and convergent

The temperature at which saturation is reached is called the ______ __________ _________.

Dew Point Temperature

Clouds that start with Cir: Cirrus, Cirrocumlus, and Cirrostratus, are clouds that are in the ____ part of the sky/

Highest

The container or carrying capacity of water vapor _____ exponentially with an increase in temperature

Increases

If you come inside from a heavy snowfall where your classroom is dry and warm, is there more moisture outside or inside?

Inside because you're bringing in moisture from outside so there will be more than there was before.

It is hot (100 degrees f), but ice is falling from the sky. How does that work?

It can be hot but ice can fall from the sky because it is colder the higher up into the atmosphere you get.

Which temp is it most likely to precipitate?

It doesn't matter @ which temp., The temperature tells you how much water is most likely able to come out of the air.

Clouds that have Strat: Stratus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus- lie in the _______ region of the sky.

Lower

If its -15 with snow falling, what is the air mass?

Maritime Arctic

If the weather is 97 degrees and rainy, what would the air mass be?

Maritime Tropical

For condensation to occur air does _____ have to warm up to dew point temperature.

NOT

Who has more fog, Florida or Nebraska?

Nebraska because florida stays at the same temperature, not receiving many cold fronts or change in temps.

What is virga?

Precipitation that appears to be rain but evaporates before it reaches the ground.

Which temp is it most likely to rain?

Related to amount of water that can come out of air, not related to temp- they are all the same

At which temp will it be likely to precipitate the most?

Since warmer temperatures reveal a higher water vapor capacity, probably in warmer temps..

What is the seasonal peak of fog in most places?

Spring/fall

What kinds of droplets are important to condensation because they promote the growth of ice particles?

Supercooled water droplets

To be classified as a desert, what is one actually measuring?

The amount of water in the air

Where does the most precipitation occur?

The equatorial region

T/F Even if the actual amount of water vapor in the air remains the same, relative humidity will change when the temp. changes.

True

T/F The only way large masses of air can be cooled to the Dew Point Temp. is by expansion as the air masses rise.

True

T/F clouds form when air rises and cools

True

T/F Evaporation causes water to cool

True - example of waving your hands after using germex

T/F The DPT varies with the moisture content in the air

True- expressed as a temp. but describes the actual water vapor content in air.

T/F The polar desert could be covered in snow and ice, but still be considered a desert

True- there might not be any water in the air

What is the maximum amount of water vapor that can be in the air at a given temperature?

Water Vapor Capacity

In July, rain moves ____ to ____.

West/east

How does fog form?

When air at earths surface cools to below its dew point temp. or when enough water vapor is added to the air to saturate it.

How does a warm front form?

When an advancing warm air mass meets colder air

How does a cold front form?

When an air mass meets and displaces warmer air

In Nebraska, we see the most fog during what season?

Winter (band trip)

The type of fog that stopped band trip

advection

As temp. increases, relative humidity ________. As Temp decreases, Relative humidity __________.

decreases; increases (fig. 6.9)

Adiabatic warming (doesn't make clouds) & occurs when air _______.

descends

What is advection fog?

exists as long as there is wind; develops when warm, moist air moves horizontally over a cold surface, such as snow covered ground or a cold ocean current.

Warm air has a ____ water vapor capacity, and cold air has a ___ water vapor capacity.

high; low

In June and July, there is a _________ precipitation amount because the container size is bigger.

higher

In a low pressure cell, air comes ___ the front, and in a high pressure cell, air comes ___ the front.

into/ out of

Clouds that start with Alto: Alto stratus, Alto cumulus- lie in the ____ region of the sky.

middle (think music)

What is acid rain?

pollutants that fall to the earth through rain; cause erosion of monuments- pollutants have high acidity.

Fog and dew forms as a result of ______ cooling.

radiation (goes away when the sun comes out)

What is Dew and frost caused by?

radiational cooling

In convection and converging winds, heat _____.

rises

Clouds that start with cumul- cumulus, cumulonimbus are ____ clouds.

vertical

Where can we see orographic fog?

where there is mountains; can be seen in nebraska at high elevation levels