ERTH 2415 FINAL EXAM WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTION
Describe the main methods of heat transfer - ANSWER conduction,
convection, radiation
What is the "energy budget"? - ANSWER Equilibrium between incoming and
outgoing radiation
Composition of Earth's atmosphere - ANSWER 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen,
traces of argon, water vapour and CO2
Basic movements of atmospheric air bodies and circulation - ANSWER
pressure decreases with altitude. Hot rises, Cold falls. High pressure to low
pressure.
warm air vs cold air - ANSWER Warm: less dense, low pressure, rises
Cold: more dense, high pressure, falls
How does Coriolis force affect wind in N/S hemispheres? - ANSWER North:
Path veers right (CCW)
South: Path veers left (CW)
Hadley Cell - ANSWER Sunshine near equator powers air circulation
Ferrel cell - ANSWER Cell that moves air form 30 degrees to 60 degrees
latitude
Polar cell - ANSWER Cells of air circulation occurring between 60 degrees
north and south and each pole.
, Conditions required for a thunderstorm? - ANSWER 1. Warm/humid air in
low atmosphere
2. Cold air over warm air
3. Updraft forces moist air up
Thunderstorm stage 1: Cumulus stage - ANSWER Clouds grow, release of
latent heat warms surrounding air
Thunderstorm stage 2: Mature stage - ANSWER Cloud reaches max vertical
development , water droplets freeze -heavy rain/hail/lightning
Thunderstorm stage 3: Dissipating stage - ANSWER Upward supply of moist
air is blocked by downdrafts - thunderstorm weakens
How does lightning form - ANSWER Electrical imbalance in cloud, lightning
hops from groupings of opposite charges
How does hail form - ANSWER updrafts carry water droplets high into
atmosphere, freeze and then fall.
Wind shear - ANSWER variation in wind velocity occurring along a direction
at right angles to the wind's direction and tending to exert a turning force.
Stages of tornado formation? - ANSWER Organizational stage: development
of vertical rotation due to wind shear
Mature stage: Funnel extends to ground
Shrinking stage: Diameter decrease due to lack of moist air (more dangerous)
Rope stage: Starts to move erratically and disappears
How does the Fujita scale measure tornadoes - ANSWER Determines the level
COMPLETE SOLUTION
Describe the main methods of heat transfer - ANSWER conduction,
convection, radiation
What is the "energy budget"? - ANSWER Equilibrium between incoming and
outgoing radiation
Composition of Earth's atmosphere - ANSWER 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen,
traces of argon, water vapour and CO2
Basic movements of atmospheric air bodies and circulation - ANSWER
pressure decreases with altitude. Hot rises, Cold falls. High pressure to low
pressure.
warm air vs cold air - ANSWER Warm: less dense, low pressure, rises
Cold: more dense, high pressure, falls
How does Coriolis force affect wind in N/S hemispheres? - ANSWER North:
Path veers right (CCW)
South: Path veers left (CW)
Hadley Cell - ANSWER Sunshine near equator powers air circulation
Ferrel cell - ANSWER Cell that moves air form 30 degrees to 60 degrees
latitude
Polar cell - ANSWER Cells of air circulation occurring between 60 degrees
north and south and each pole.
, Conditions required for a thunderstorm? - ANSWER 1. Warm/humid air in
low atmosphere
2. Cold air over warm air
3. Updraft forces moist air up
Thunderstorm stage 1: Cumulus stage - ANSWER Clouds grow, release of
latent heat warms surrounding air
Thunderstorm stage 2: Mature stage - ANSWER Cloud reaches max vertical
development , water droplets freeze -heavy rain/hail/lightning
Thunderstorm stage 3: Dissipating stage - ANSWER Upward supply of moist
air is blocked by downdrafts - thunderstorm weakens
How does lightning form - ANSWER Electrical imbalance in cloud, lightning
hops from groupings of opposite charges
How does hail form - ANSWER updrafts carry water droplets high into
atmosphere, freeze and then fall.
Wind shear - ANSWER variation in wind velocity occurring along a direction
at right angles to the wind's direction and tending to exert a turning force.
Stages of tornado formation? - ANSWER Organizational stage: development
of vertical rotation due to wind shear
Mature stage: Funnel extends to ground
Shrinking stage: Diameter decrease due to lack of moist air (more dangerous)
Rope stage: Starts to move erratically and disappears
How does the Fujita scale measure tornadoes - ANSWER Determines the level
