METEOROLOGY EXAM 1 CHAPTERS
1-6 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is weather - Correct Answers -The condition of the atmosphere at any particular
time and place. Weather - which is always changing- is compromised of elements of air
temperature, air pressure, humidity, clouds, precipitation, visibility, and wind
what is climate - Correct Answers -if we measure and observe these weather variables
over a specified interval of time we would obtain the "average weather" (or the climate)
or a particular region.
Represents the accumulation of daily and seasonal weather events (the average range
of weather) over a long period of time
Also includes the extremes of weather.
what was earth's early atmosphere made of? today? - Correct Answers -First - mostly
hydrogen and helium
The atmosphere evolved due to outgassing from earth's interior.
Today - nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), water vapor (4%), carbon dioxide (.04%), ozone
O3 (majority found in stratosphere), aerosols, other greenhouse gases (methane,
nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons)
constant vs variable gases and the dominant ones - Correct Answers -Constant: O2 and
Nitrogen - gases that are always there.
Variable: there amounts change ( water vapor, CO2)
Dominant: water vapor.
which variable gas is the most important for 'weather' and why? - Correct Answers -
water vapor - evaporates, creates vapor in atmosphere, that vapor creates clouds and
precipitation.
what have CO2 concentrations done over the past 150 years - Correct Answers -
increased due to the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation; global temp increases
what is ozone and where is it found? what does good ozone so for us? - Correct
Answers -Ozone: a primary component of photochemical smog at earths surface.
Found in stratosphere
Protects us from UV radiation.
, what is an aerosol? examples? - Correct Answers -tiny solid or liquid particles of various
composition suspended in air.
Not gaseous
Originate from the oceans surface (salt particles from ocean waves), volcanoes, forest
fires and other types of burnings, and dust from soil carried by wind.
Natural - aid the condensation of water vapor
Human-made: a pollutant
Examples: pollen, dust., salt from ocean, volcanic dust.
the key properties of the vertical structure of the atmosphere: density, pressure, temp -
Correct Answers -Layers may be defined by temperature, gas composition, and
electrical properties.
Due to gravity, most of the earths atmosphere is located close to its surface.
Density - the mass or atoms and the space between them (molecular density of air: the
number of molecules in a given volume), greatest at earths surface and decreases with
height.
At earths surface, the pressure of the atmosphere is 14.7 ib/in2.
Standard sea level pressure is 1013.25 mb = 1013.25 hPa = 29.92 in Hg.
Atmospheric pressure decreases with n increase in height.
the lowest two thermal layers in the atmosphere (troposphere and stratosphere). what
does temperature do with height in each - Correct Answers -Troposphere- extends from
earths surface to 11km; location of weather systems; temp decreases with height to the
isothermal zone
Stratosphere- extends from 11km to 50km; temp increases with height; contains 03 max
at 25km
what is a geostationary satellite? differences between visible, IR, and water vapor
satellite - Correct Answers -Move at the same rate as earth spins; remain above a
particular are to monitor weather and other phenomena; used for weather observation
and prediction.
Visible: when it take a pic of whats there
IR: scans for temp; colder the clouds are the brighter they are
water vapor: scans for water vapor; scans for gaseous vapor
What is potential vs kinetic energy? how is kinetic energy defines in the atmopshere -
Correct Answers -Potential - the potential to do work
Kinetic - the energy of motion (temp)
Faster movement = greater KE
Molecules and atoms have KE due to motion: we feel this KE as heat
warm vs cold air - Correct Answers -Warm Air: has higher amount of energy; expands
Cold Air: less energy; compresses
what are the main differences between Fahrenheit, Celsius, and kelvin? - Correct
Answers -Kelvin - begins with 0; used for scientific calculations
1-6 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is weather - Correct Answers -The condition of the atmosphere at any particular
time and place. Weather - which is always changing- is compromised of elements of air
temperature, air pressure, humidity, clouds, precipitation, visibility, and wind
what is climate - Correct Answers -if we measure and observe these weather variables
over a specified interval of time we would obtain the "average weather" (or the climate)
or a particular region.
Represents the accumulation of daily and seasonal weather events (the average range
of weather) over a long period of time
Also includes the extremes of weather.
what was earth's early atmosphere made of? today? - Correct Answers -First - mostly
hydrogen and helium
The atmosphere evolved due to outgassing from earth's interior.
Today - nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), water vapor (4%), carbon dioxide (.04%), ozone
O3 (majority found in stratosphere), aerosols, other greenhouse gases (methane,
nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons)
constant vs variable gases and the dominant ones - Correct Answers -Constant: O2 and
Nitrogen - gases that are always there.
Variable: there amounts change ( water vapor, CO2)
Dominant: water vapor.
which variable gas is the most important for 'weather' and why? - Correct Answers -
water vapor - evaporates, creates vapor in atmosphere, that vapor creates clouds and
precipitation.
what have CO2 concentrations done over the past 150 years - Correct Answers -
increased due to the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation; global temp increases
what is ozone and where is it found? what does good ozone so for us? - Correct
Answers -Ozone: a primary component of photochemical smog at earths surface.
Found in stratosphere
Protects us from UV radiation.
, what is an aerosol? examples? - Correct Answers -tiny solid or liquid particles of various
composition suspended in air.
Not gaseous
Originate from the oceans surface (salt particles from ocean waves), volcanoes, forest
fires and other types of burnings, and dust from soil carried by wind.
Natural - aid the condensation of water vapor
Human-made: a pollutant
Examples: pollen, dust., salt from ocean, volcanic dust.
the key properties of the vertical structure of the atmosphere: density, pressure, temp -
Correct Answers -Layers may be defined by temperature, gas composition, and
electrical properties.
Due to gravity, most of the earths atmosphere is located close to its surface.
Density - the mass or atoms and the space between them (molecular density of air: the
number of molecules in a given volume), greatest at earths surface and decreases with
height.
At earths surface, the pressure of the atmosphere is 14.7 ib/in2.
Standard sea level pressure is 1013.25 mb = 1013.25 hPa = 29.92 in Hg.
Atmospheric pressure decreases with n increase in height.
the lowest two thermal layers in the atmosphere (troposphere and stratosphere). what
does temperature do with height in each - Correct Answers -Troposphere- extends from
earths surface to 11km; location of weather systems; temp decreases with height to the
isothermal zone
Stratosphere- extends from 11km to 50km; temp increases with height; contains 03 max
at 25km
what is a geostationary satellite? differences between visible, IR, and water vapor
satellite - Correct Answers -Move at the same rate as earth spins; remain above a
particular are to monitor weather and other phenomena; used for weather observation
and prediction.
Visible: when it take a pic of whats there
IR: scans for temp; colder the clouds are the brighter they are
water vapor: scans for water vapor; scans for gaseous vapor
What is potential vs kinetic energy? how is kinetic energy defines in the atmopshere -
Correct Answers -Potential - the potential to do work
Kinetic - the energy of motion (temp)
Faster movement = greater KE
Molecules and atoms have KE due to motion: we feel this KE as heat
warm vs cold air - Correct Answers -Warm Air: has higher amount of energy; expands
Cold Air: less energy; compresses
what are the main differences between Fahrenheit, Celsius, and kelvin? - Correct
Answers -Kelvin - begins with 0; used for scientific calculations
