Meteorology 1010 Exam 1

Greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases, and is re-radiated in all directions.

Latent heat

The heat required to convert a solid into a liquid or vapor, or a liquid into a vapor, without change of temperature. A typical example is a change of state of matter, meaning a phase transition such as the melting of ice or the boiling of water.

Conduction

The process by which heat or electricity is directly transmitted through a substance when there is a difference of temperature or of electrical potential between adjoining regions, without movement of the material. OR (A hotter object transfers some of its heat to another object with less heat)

Scientific Method

The systematic study of lifes behaviors

Mass Number

The total number of protons and neutrons in a nucleus.

Relationship between wavelength, frequency and energy

The wavelength and frequency of light are closely related. The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength. Because all light waves move through a vacuum at the same speed, the number of wave crests passing by a given point in one second depends on the wavelength. That number, also known as the frequency, will be larger for a short-wavelength wave than for a long-wavelength wave. The equation that relates wavelength and frequency for electromagnetic waves is: λν=c where λ is the wavelength, ν is the frequency and c is the speed of light.

Auroras

These are caused by solar flares from the Sun. As these particles bombard the ionosphere, they collide into the gases in the Earths atmosphere. The electrons in the atoms of these gases become excited and energized. When the electron slows and reenters is electron shell, it release the energy received from the solar flares. It releases it as light. This phenomena is known as the aurora borealis (northern lights) and the aurora australis (southern lights)

Land heats up and cools down faster than water. T/F

True

Land heats up more rapidly and to higher temperatures than water, and cools more rapidly and to lower temperatures than water. True or False

True

The ultimate source of energy that drives the Earth's "weather machine" is the Sun. T/F

True

The difference between climate and weather is

Weather is instantaneous, climate is an average measurement. Weather is what is happening now. Climate is what you expect.

Aphelion

When a planet is at the FURTHEST point away from the sun (July 4)

What is a theory

a well tested and widely accepted view that best explains certain scientific observations.

Heterosphere

a)Atmosphere is layered by molecular weight and electric charge. (Heteroshere separates.. like Italian dressing) b) starts about 100 km (63 miles) -which includes the exosphere and most of the thermosphere. Here, the chemical composition varies with altitude. This is because the distance that particles can move without colliding with one another is large compared with the size of motions that cause mixing. This allows the gases to stratify by molecular weight, with the heavier ones, such as oxygen and nitrogen, present only near the bottom of the heterosphere. The upper part of the heterosphere is composed almost completely of hydrogen, the lightest element.

Stratosphere

a. 10-30 miles b. This is the next layer above the troposphere. c. The temperature in the stratosphere increase as you increases in altitude. This is partially due to the ozone layer which absorbs UV radiation and re-emits it back into the atmosphere. This is where the Ozone is most concentrated, between 9 and 19 miles, the temperatures remains constant. d. Above 19 miles to 30 miles the temperature increases.

Mesosphere

a. 30-52 miles b. This is the third layer found above the surface of the Earth. c. In this layer of the atmosphere the temperature decrease with height.

Thermosphere:

a. 52-(310 to 620 miles). b. it is the fourth layer from the surface of the Earth. c. the top portion has no definable boundary and depends on how much solar activity is going on. It blends into space. c. The temperature increase with altitude in this layer d. It does not feel hot in this layer. The definition of temperature is defined as the average speed of a moving molecule. The numbers affixed to a temperature is really identifying the speed of the molecule moving in the air. Since there are very few molecules in this layer, they can move at high speeds which increase the temperature. However, if you were to stand out in this layer unprotected, you would freeze because there is not enough molecules to "bump" into you to transfer their energy to you to keep you warm.

Ozone

a. O3 b. forms a protective layer that filters harmful ultra violet (UV) rays c. made in the Stratosphere. d. is made when Oxygen (O2) absorbs UV rays from the Sun. This splits the oxygen into

Water Vapor

a. There is more water in our atmosphere than in all of the rivers and lakes on the surface of the Earth. b. Water also has a high specific heat value. This means it has the ability to absorbs large amounts of energy (heat) and also release it. c.The releasing of heat known as latent heat is the energy source that drives thunderstorms.

Potential energy

has the capacity to do work.

The annual balance that exists between incoming and outgoing radiation is referred to as the:

heat budget

Although the Sun emits many forms of radiation, most of the energy is concentrated in the ____ parts of the spectrum.

infrared and ultraviolet

Covalent Bonds

is a chemical bond that involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Albedo

is the fraction of solar energy (shortwave radiation) reflected from the Earth back into space. It is a measure of the reflectivity of the earth's surface. Ice, especially with snow on top of it, has a high albedo: most sunlight hitting the surface bounces back towards space

Meteorolgy

is the study of the atmosphere and the phenomena that we usually refer to as weather.

Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere is

is very efficient in absorbing radiation that is emitted by the Earth and re-emitting radiation back to the Earth's surface.

Convection is a mechanism of heat transfer due to

movements in a fluid

At the summer solstice the sun is directly overhead at

the Tropic of Cancer.

At the winter solstice the sun is directly overhead at

the Tropic of Capricorn

Longitude

the angular distance of a place EAST or WEST of the earths equator.

Ionic Bonds

the bonding between a non-metal and a metal, that occurs when charged atoms (ions) attract after one loses on more of its electrons, and gives it to the other molecule. Example: sodium and chlorine

Radiation

the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles that cause ionization.

At the March and September equinoxes the Sun is directly overhead at

the equator

The wavelength of a crest is

the horizontal distance between two crests

Convection

the movement caused within a fluid by the tendency of hotter and therefor less dense material to rise, and colder, denser material to sink under the influence of gravity, which consequently results in transfer of heat.

Atomic number

the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the chemical properties of an element and its place on the periodic table.

The seasonal variation in the angle of the Sun affects where on Earth the Solar rays are most concentrated and the _________ of atmosphere the rays penetrate.

thickness

Steps to the scientific method

(ICFERM) Identifying the problem Collect data Form a hypothesis Experiment Results Conclusion

Daily Mean Temperature

(Max temp + min temp)/ An average of the 24 hourly reading or, more commonly, an average of the daily maximum and the daily minimum

Latitude of the equator is

0 degrees

Thermal Structure of the Atmosphere

1. Troposphere: 0-10 miles (Average 7.5 miles) 2. Stratosphere: 10-30 miles 3. Mesosphere: 30-52 miles 4. Thermosphere: 52-(310 to 620 miles). (height depends on how much solar activity is going on.)

Latitude of the Tropic of Cancer

23. 5 degrees NORTH

Isotherm

A line drawn on a weather map or chart linking all points of equal or constant temperature.

The length of daylight gets progressively longer going south from the equator on:

December 21

The fraction of radiation reflected by a surface is called its:

Earths Albedo

Electromagnetic radiation

Electromagnetic spectrum (In order from smallest to largest: Gamma, X rays, UV, Visible, IR, Microwaves, and Radio waves).

Where is the Maximum zone?

In the stratosphere.

The general drop in temperature with increase altitude in the troposphere is called:

Lapse Rate

What is the most abundant element in the atmosphere?

Nitrogen (N)

What Happens to Incoming Solar Radiation?

Reflection and Scattering and Absorption by Earth's Surface and Atmosphere

Where is the majority of the Ozone?

The Stratosphere.

Where do meteors burn up?

The mesosphere

Earth Radiation

The net flow of energy into Earth in the form of shortwave radiation and the outgoing infrared longwave radiation into space.

All object emit radiant energy. T/F

True

Deposition

a process changes state when water releases heat.

Biosphere

a. This includes all of life on the Earth. b. The biosphere is intertwined in all of the spheres that make up the Earth. i. You can find life in all of the spheres. Life can be found in the depth of the oceans around thermal vents (black smokers), 1000 meters in the atmosphere and a few meters under ground.

Atmosphere

a. This is the life-giving layer of gas that envelopes the Earth. b. It is very thin. 99% of it is found in the first 20 miles (30km) of the Earths surface. c. The atmosphere plays a crucial role in our existence here on the Earth. Not only does it supply Oxygen to breath, it also contains other gasses that protect us from radiation from the Sun. d. The atmosphere also is a major contributor in reshaping our Earths surface.

Hydrosphere

a. This sphere give the Earth its name as the blue planet. b. Water covers nearly 71% of the Earth's surface to an average depth of 3800 meters (12,500 feet = a little over two miles) c. Oceans account for 97% of the Earths water. However, the hydrosphere can also be found in the atmosphere (clouds) and in the geosphere (groundwater). This is where our fresh water comes from.

Aerosols

a. Tiny solid and liquid particles found in the atmosphere. (Salts, dust, pollen, smoke, and microorganisms.)

Ionosphere

a. as the layer of the Earth's atmosphere that is ionized by solar and cosmic radiation. It lies 75-1000 km (46-621 miles) above the Earth. b. divided into three layers. The bottom layer is known as the D layer, followed by the E layer and topped off by the F layer. c. During the day, all three layers are present at night, the D layer disappears.

Troposphere

a. is 0-10 miles (Average 7.5 miles) b. This is the bottom layer in which we live in. c. contains all of the Earths weather. d. From the surface, the temperature drops as you go up in altitude in the troposphere

Latitude

an angular distance of a place NORTH or SOUTH of the earths equator.

An electromagnetic wave is

an electric field that oscillate perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave.

heat

energy that is transferred as a consequence of temperature differences.

The primary cause of the earths seasons is:

inclination of the Earth's rotation axis.

Nitrogen

odorless, non-reactive gas that forms about 78% of the earths atmosphere.

Sun Radiation

radiant energy emitted by the sun from a nuclear fusion that creates electromagnetic energy.

Geosphere

the core the mantle the crust a. This is the sphere that is made of solid Earth. This sphere can be found from the surface to the center of the planet. (6400 Km or 4000 miles). b. It is the largest of the four spheres. c. The geosphere is divided into three different spheres.

Reflection:

the process whereby light bounces back from an object at the same angle at which it encounters a surface and with the same intensity.

Perihelion

when the planet is at its CLOSEST point to the suns orbit. (Jan 3)

Earth's Spheres

1. Geosphere: (also known as the lithosphere) 2. Atmosphere 3. Hydrosphere 4. Biosphere

Composition of the Atmosphere

1. Nitrogen 78% and Oxygen 21% make up 99% of the atmosphere. 93% of the remaining 1% of atmospheric gas is Argon which is inert (non reactive). 2. 2. 0.0387% is Carbon Dioxide (CO2 3. Water vapor 4. Aerosols 5. Ozone

The 6 most important variables in Meteorology:

1. The Temperature of the air. 2. The Humidity of the air. 3. The type and amount of Cloudiness. 4. The type and amount of Precipitation. 5. The Pressure exerted by the air (Air pressure). 6. The speed and direction of the Wind

laws or radiation

1. all objects emit radiant energy over a range of wavelengths. 2. Hotter objects radiate more total energy per unit area than colder objects. 3. Hotter objects radiate more energy in the form of short wavelength radiation than cooler objects 4. Objects that are good absorbers of radiation are also good emitters

An average breath of fresh air contains 10^22 molecules. The entire atmosphere contains 10^44 molecules. How many breaths of air are in the entire atmosphere.

10^22

Latitude of the Tropic of Capricorn

23. 5 degrees SOUTH

Latitude of the Arctic Circle

66. 5 degrees NORTH

Latitude of the Antarctic Circle

66.5 degrees SOUTH

Radiation Emitted by Earth

A. Heating the Atmosphere a. Atmospheric window B. The "Greenhouse Effect" C. Role of Clouds in Heating Earth

What causes Ozone Depletion

Aerosols that contain CFC's can reduce the number of ozone molecules in the stratosphere. This is done when the Chlorine atom in the CFC's come in contact with ozone. Chlorine attaches itself to the ozone and takes a single oxygen atom leaving the oxygen molecule. This destroys the ozone molecule. Now, the chlorine atom and the attached oxygen atom find a single oxygen atom. The two oxygen atoms combine to form an oxygen molecule. Meanwhile the single chlorine atom is let loose to find another ozone molecule to tear apart again.

What height do auroras occur and what colors are emitted?

At altitudes of 120 to 180 kilometers (km) green light is emitted. Red northern lights occur at higher altitudes above 180 km. Some red auroral rays may go higher than 500 km.

When is the earth the farthest from the sun?

At aphelion

What is the life giving layer that envelops the earth?

Atmosphere

As the temperature increases what will happen to the atmospheric pressure?

Atmospheric pressure will increase

Homosphere

Composition of the atmosphere is uniform. (gases are mixed together) includes the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and the lowest part of the thermosphere, where the chemical composition of the atmosphere does not depend on molecular weight because the gases are mixed by turbulence. This relatively homogeneous layer ends at the turbopause found at about 100 km (62 mi; 330,000 ft), which places it about 20 km (12 mi; 66,000 ft) above the mesopause.

Kinetic energy

Energy in motion

Radiation

Energy that travels in waves. This kind of energy does not need a medium to travel through. This energy can travel through space.

As water boils in a pot on the stove, the metal handle gets hot. This is an example of Convection: T/F

False

Earths heat budget results in the planet getting warmer and warmer each year.

False

The equator receives vertical rays from the sun all year long. T/F

False

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone

is the transfer of energy into or out of an object because of temperature differences between that object and its surroundings.

Heat

Latitudinal Heat Balance

Latitudinal heat balance means the state of balance which exists between the latitudinal belts.

Where to meters occur?

Mesophere

Conduction is a mechanism of heat transfer due to

Molecular collisions.

The basic laws of radiation include:

Objects that are good absorbers of radiation are also good emitters.

What is the second most abundant element in the atmosphere?

Oxygen (O2)

Diffused light

Small dust particles and gas molecules in the atmosphere scatter some of electromagnetic radiation in different directions.

Electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light. (186,000 miles per second)T/F

TRUE

is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the individual atoms or molecules in a substance.

Temperature