Meteorology and Aviation Weather Key Concepts and Instruments

Meteorology and Aviation Weather Key Concepts and Instruments Exam 2026 | Questions And Answers | Verified Answers | Brand New Version Which gas plays a critical role in preventing rapid burning at the Earth's surface? - Answer- Argon Which gas absorbs ultraviolet radiation and warms the stratosphere? - Answer- Ozone What is the primary reason commercial aircraft cruise in the lower stratosphere? - Answer- To avoid atmospheric turbulence Which layer of the atmosphere contains almost all weather phenomena? - Answer- Troposphere What effect does Coriolis force have on wind direction in the Northern Hemisphere? - Answer- It deflects wind to the right Which of the following is NOT a type of local wind? - Answer- Polar wind What is the primary cause of a land breeze? - Answer- Temperature difference between land and sea What is the primary hazard associated with a tailwind during takeoff? - Answer- Higher groundspeed needed for lift-off What is an air mass? - Answer- A large body of air with generally uniform temperature and humidity What is a wave cyclone? - Answer- A low-pressure circulation What modification can occur when an arctic air mass moves over an ocean in winter? - Answer- It gathers moisture and warmth from the ocean but still remains fairly cold Which instrument is commonly used by meteorologists to measure atmospheric pressure? - Answer- Barometer How does atmospheric pressure vary with altitude? - Answer- It decreases with altitude What term refers to the altitude shown by the altimeter when set to the standard sea level pressure? - Answer- Pressure altitude Which substance has the highest thermal conductivity? - Answer- Silver What best defines specific heat capacity? - Answer- The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Which temperature scale is commonly used in meteorology? - Answer- Celsius What causes the variation in the speed of jet streams? - Answer- Temperature fluctuations What influences the shifting of jet streams northward or southward? - Answer- Seasonal changes and the position of the Sun Why does the equator become very hot in a non-rotating Earth circulation system? - Answer- Because of the direct impact of the Sun's heat At what altitude does a saturated air parcel become a cloud? - Answer- Lifted condensation level Which type of cloud typically forms above 20,000 ft and is composed of ice crystals? - Answer- Cirri-form What is the lapse rate for a rising, unsaturated parcel of air? - Answer- 9.8°C per 1,000 feet At what latitude does the balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial radiation occur? - Answer- 35° latitude Which component absorbs the highest percentage of incoming solar radiation? - Answer- Earth's surface What phenomenon is responsible for the warmest days occurring after the summer solstice? - Answer- Season temperature variation What process describes the movement of water into the ground from the surface? - Answer- Infiltration What is the primary purpose of transpiration in plants? - Answer- Cooling the plant. What factor primarily controls the rate of evaporation from the ocean? - Answer- Solar radiation. What is the latent heat of vaporization of water? - Answer- Depends on the temperature. How is atmospheric stability evaluated using an air parcel? - Answer- By comparing its density to the surrounding air as it is lifted. How does wind affect atmospheric stability? - Answer- Wind increases stability when colder air is blown into the bottom of the air column. What process causes a column of air in the atmosphere to become more stable when it descends? - Answer- Compression by weight of the atmosphere. What distinguishes convective clouds and precipitation from stratiform clouds and precipitation? - Answer- Atmospheric stability. What is the typical thickness of clouds when significant precipitation occurs? - Answer- At least 4,000 feet. Which region in the United States is known for hail occurrences? - Answer- Great plains region east of the Rocky Mountains. When does freezing rain occur? - Answer- When there is a temperature inversion with above-freezing temperatures aloft and below-freezing temperatures at the surface. What is the most common type of thunderstorm in the central and eastern United States during spring and autumn? - Answer- Multicell thunderstorm.