Conduction, Convection and Thermal Radiation: Weather

Cold Front

A cold air mass that pushes under a warm air mass, forcing warm air to rise, and the cold air to advance underneath. Wind is pushed out ahead of this front. Cool, fair weather follows a cold front.

In solids, conduction is mediated by - or caused by - what?

conduction is caused by vibrations and collisions of molecules

What does it lead to if it is moist (wet) convection?

"Convection" has several, related meanings in weather....but it always involves rising air. It usually refers to "moist convection", where the excess water vapor in rising air parcels condenses to form a cloud.

Warm Front

A warm air mass or warm weather which forms as warm air slides or rises above a cold air mass. A warm front brings gentle rain or light snow followed by warmer, milder weather.

Besides the sun, what else emits thermal radiation?

All matter with a temperature greater than absolute zero emits thermal radiation. Earth also emits thermal radiation, but at a much lower intensity and different spectral distribution (infrared rather than visible) because it is cooler.

When does mixing of air occur?

Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to increased winds, cumulus cloud development, and decreased surface dew points.

What is meteorologic convection?

Convection is a major factor in weather. The sun heats the earth's surface, then, when cooler air comes into contact with it, the air warms and rises, creating an upward current in the atmosphere. That current can result in wind, clouds, or other weather.

How does heat flow? From what to what?

Heat flows from a hotter to a colder body. the bodies approach equilibrium

What are the special threats from wet convection?

Moist convection leads to thunderstorm development, which is often responsible for severe weather throughout the world. Special threats from thunderstorms include hail, downbursts, and tornadoes.

What kind of radiation is generated from the sun?

Radiation from the Sun, which is more popularly known as sunlight, is a mixture of electromagnetic waves ranging from infrared (IR) to ultraviolet rays (UV). It of course includes visible light, which is in between IR and UV in the electromagnetic spectrum.

The Earth's absorption of solar radiation followed by the outgoing radiation are the two most important processes that determine what?

The Earth's absorption of solar radiation, followed by its outgoing thermal radiation are the two most important processes that determine the temperature and climate of the Earth.

Stationary Front

The meeting point of warm and cool air where neither has the force or pressure to move the other, thus remaining "stationary." Clouds, Fog, Rain or Snow may form as a result. A Stationary Front brings days of clouds and precipitation.

What are the similarities and differences of radiant, convective, and conductive heat?

The only similarity is that they all have to do with the movement/transfer of heat. Conduction is the process by which heat transfers between bodies that are in physical contact with each other. Heat is transferred without the movement of individual particles. Convection is the process by which heat rises and cold descends. The particles of the medium actually move during this process. Radiation is the process by which heat is transferred between bodies that are not in direct contact with each other by means of electromagnetic waves. also, conduction and convection are to do with particle movement where as radiation is to do with electromagnetic waves. They are similar as ---All the three are ways in which heat is transmitted. Conduction---By direct contact. Convection---By currents(covection) Radiation-----Does not require a medium !

What is thermal radiation?

Thermal radiation is electromagnetic radiation generated by the thermal motion of charged particles in matter. All matter with a temperature greater than absolute zero emits thermal radiation.

Occluded Front

When a warm air mass gets caught between and above two cold air masses. Occluded means "cut off" and the warm air is pushed upward. An Occluded Front brings strong winds and heavy precipitation.

Define convection?

a type of heat transfer through a gas or liquid by motion of hotter material into a cooler region. (ex. steam from boiling water.)

Conduction can only take place between two objects when they are what?

in contact with each other.

Heat Conduction define:

the movement of heat from one solid to another

What three things does mixing lead to?

thunderstorm development, turbulence, inferior mirages, dust devils, steam devils, and fire whirls