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ATPL - BGS [Mod 1] Meteorology > 01. The Atmosphere > Flashcards

01. The Atmosphere Flashcards

1
Q

The Atmosphere

The composition of the atmosphere gases is what proportion;

  1. Nitrogen
  2. Oxygen
  3. Other
A
  1. 78%
  2. 21%
  3. 1%

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2
Q

Which 3 gases play the most significant part on the worlds weather

A
  1. CARBON DIOXIDE
  2. OZONE
  3. WATER VAPOUR

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3
Q

The Atmosphere

Water vapour makes up at most on average how much % of the atmosphere

A

4%

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4
Q

The Atmosphere

Most water vapour in the atmopshere is found at what level altitudes

A

LOW ALTITUDES

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5
Q

The Atmosphere

Water vaopour is found mostly at low altitudes and in what temperatures

A

HIGH AIR TEMPERATURE
(The Tropics)

Most of the water vaoupr in the amtosphere is found at low altitudes and in areas of higher air temperature, the tropics

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6
Q

The Atmosphere

The Suns energy radition waves are SHORT or LONG wave

A

SHORT WAVE

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7
Q

The Atmosphere

The Earths main source of heat comes from where

A

THE EARTHS SURFACE

The sun heats the surface, which then radiates heat back into the atmopshere

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8
Q

The Atmosphere

Heat emitted back into the atmosphere from the surface is SHORT or LONG wave radiation

A

LONG WAVE

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9
Q

The Atmosphere

Long Wave radiation emitting back from the surface of the Earth into the atmosphere is absorbed by what 2 gases causing the greenhouse effect

A
  1. CARBON DIOXIDE
  2. WATER VAPOUR

3

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10
Q

The Atmosphere

Ozone is made from what gas and how many atoms

A
  1. OXYGEN
  2. 3 ATOMS

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11
Q

The Atmosphere

Ozone is concentrated at what layer of the atmosphere

A

STRATOSPHERE

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12
Q

The Atmosphere

Between what altitude in the stratsophere is the ozone present
1. In feet
2. In KM

A
  1. 50,000 to 100,000 ft
  2. 15 to 30 km
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13
Q

The Atmosphere

What radiation does Ozone absorb from the Sun

A

UV RADIATION

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14
Q

The Atmosphere

As a result of the Ozone absorbing UV radiation from the Sun, what does this cause in the upper atmosphere

A

RISE IN TEMPERATURE

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15
Q

The Atmosphere

The maximum heating of the upper atmosphere as a result of Ozone absorbing UV radiation and subsequently causing the upper atmosphere to heat us is at what altitude
1. in feet
2. in KM

A
  1. 160,000 ft
  2. 50 km

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16
Q

The Atmosphere

What is the general gas law equation

A

PRESSURE x VOLUME = R x TEMPERATURE
becomes..
DENSITY ∝ PRESSURE / TEMPERATURE

Where R = gas constant

  • Density is defined as the mass of a unit volume of gas.
  • Density is inversely proportional to volume
  • If VOLUME goes up, DENSITY goes down an visa versa
  • Therefore, VOLUME can be replaced with DENSITY
    example..
  • Density = pressure / temperature ⋉ 6 / 2 = 3
  • If pressure goes up, density goes up; 8 / 2 = 4
  • Similarly, if pressure goes down, density goes down; 4 / 2 = 2
  • Inversely, if temperature goes up, density goes down; 6 / 2 = 3 or 6 / 3 = 2 or 6 / 4 = 1.5

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17
Q

The Atmosphere

At a constant temperature, density is DIRECTLY or INVERSELY proportional to pressure

A

DIRECTLY

Pressure ⇧ then Density ⇧

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18
Q

The Atmosphere

At a constant pressure, density is DIRECTLY or INVERSLEY proportional to temperature

A

INVERSLEY

Temperature ⇧ then Density ⇩

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19
Q

The Atmopshere

What is the definition of pressure

A

FORCE PER UNIT AREA

6

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20
Q

The Atmopshere

Pressure is measured in milibar which is equivilant to Hectopascals (hPa). North America uses inches of mercury (in Hg). Using a mercury barometer, the standard atmsophere measures around 30 in Hg, or exactly 29.92. The standard atmsophere equivilant of hPa is 1013.

Therefore, if the pressure given is 1013 milibars, what is the hPa and in Hg equivilant

A

1013 mB = 1013 hPa = 29.92 in Hg

6

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21
Q

The Atmopshere

Pressure is measured by what instrument

A

BAROMETER

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22
Q

The Atmopshere

“uses a closed evacuated capsule that expans and contracts under changing pressure”

This is a definition of what sort of barometer

A

ANEROID BAROMETER

7

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23
Q

The Atmopshere

What flight intrument in the aircraft cockpit uses an aneroid barometer

A

ALTIMETER

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24
Q

The Atmopshere

“An aneroid barometer that records changing pressure in a graphical form giving a representation of pressure over time”

This is a definition of what sort of equipment

A

BAROGRAPH

7

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25
Q

The Atmopshere

Equal lines of pressure joined up are known as what

A

ISOBARS

7

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26
Q

The Atmopshere

Isobars on a surface weather chart will give an overview of pressure distribution but also gives an estimation of what other weather factor

A

WIND DIRECTION AND SPEED
at any given point on the chart

7

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27
Q

The Atmopshere

“The kinetic energy, or energy of motion, of the gases that make up the air”

This is a definition of a measurement of what

A

TEMPERATURE

8

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28
Q

The Atmopshere

As gas molecules move more quickly, air temperature will INCREASE or DECREASE

A

INCREASE

8

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29
Q

The Atmopshere

What is the equipment used for measuring temperature

A

THERMOMETER

8

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30
Q

The Atmopshere

4 examples of other factors of weather that temperature influences;

  1. The rate of ____
  2. ____ ____ , measure of water vapour per parcel of air
  3. Wind ____ and ____
  4. ____ patterns and types
A
  1. EVAPORATION
  2. RELATIVE HUMIDITY
  3. Wind SPEED and DIRECTION
  4. PRECIPITION patterns and types

8

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31
Q

The Atmopshere

If you are given 0°C what are the equivilant temperatures in the Kelvin and Fahrenheit scales

Kelvin (K) = Celsius (°C) = Fahrenheit (°F)

A

-273 K = 0°C = 32°F

8

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32
Q

The Atmopshere

What is the equation to determine Fahrenheit (°F) from a given°C

A

°F = ( °C x 1.8 ) + 32

°F = ( °C x 1.8 ) + 32
°F = ( 10°C x 1.8 ) + 32
°F = 18 + 32
°F = 50

9

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33
Q

The Atmopshere

What is the equation to determine Celsius (°C) from a given °F

A

°C = ( °F - 32 ) / 1.8

°C = ( °F - 32 ) / 1.8
°C = ( °50 - 32 ) / 1.8
°C = 18 / 1.8
°C = 10

9

34
Q

The Atmopshere

What is the equation to determine Kelvin (K) from a given °C

A

K = °C + 273

K = °C + 273
K = 10°C + 273
K = 283

9

35
Q

The Atmosphere

Absolute zero is measured at zero Kelvin. This is equivilant to what in °C

36
Q

The Atmosphere

What is the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) measured at Mean Sea Level (MSL)

A

15°C
1013 hPa
1225 g/m^3
Lapse rate: 1.98°C (2°C) per 1000 ft

22

37
Q

The Atmosphere

Moist air is MORE or LESS dense than dry air at the same temperature and pressure

A

LESS DENSE

  • Water vapour weights less than air

10

38
Q

The Atmosphere

Air density INCREASE or DECREASES with altitude

A

DECREASES
Atltide ⇧ Density ⇩

  • As altitude increases, density with decrease

10

39
Q

The Atmosphere

As air density decreases with altitude, the average air density at the 2 key altitudes is what equivilant of MSL

  1. 22,000 ft
  2. 40,000 ft
A
  1. HALF
  2. QUARTER

REMEMBER
* Use the magic 7 to draw out altitudes and pressures

40
Q

The Atmosphere

The rate of change of pressure with height IS or IS NOT linear

A

IS NOT LINEAR
Pressure and density always reduce with height
EXAMPLE

11

41
Q

The Atmosphere

“A balloon with an instrument pack that records temperature, pressure and humity information, collecting upper air data”

This is a definition of which type of measuring device

A

RADISONDE

11

42
Q

The Atmosphere

Pressure and density will fall more rapidly in WARM or COLD air as heigh increases

A

COLD

  • Pressure and density fall more rapidly in cold air than in warm air as heigh increases

11

43
Q

The Atmosphere

A warm air mass typically means HIGH or LOW pressure aloft
A cool air mass typically means HIGH OR LOW pressure aloft

A
  1. HIGH
  2. LOW

13

44
Q

The Atmopshere

50% of the mass of the atmosphere is found in what layer of the atmosphere, in the bottom what height (in km and feet)

A

5.5km or 20,000 ft

15

45
Q

The Atmopshere

Most weather occurs in which layer of the atmopshere

A

TROPOSPHERE

14

46
Q

The Atmopshere

The Troposphere contains approximately how much % of the water vapour in the atmosphere

47
Q

The Atmopshere

How is the troposphere heated

A

FROM BENEATH

  • Sun heats the surface of the earth via short wave radiation waves
  • Surface heats up and re-rediates long wave radiation waves into the atmosphere

14

48
Q

The Atmopshere

The process of air cooling as it rises into the atmosphere

A

ADIABIATIC COOLING

14

49
Q

The Atmopshere

What is the layer between the Troposphere and Stratosphere called

A

TROPOPAUSE

14

50
Q

The Atmopshere

What layer sits above the tropopause

A

STRATOSPHERE

14

51
Q

The Atmopshere

What layer sits immediately above the stratosphere

A

STRATOPAUSE

14

52
Q

The Atmopshere

What layer sits immediately above the stratopause

A

MESOSPHERE

REMEMER
* ET, the little extra terestrial came from space
* When looking at the diagram of the layers of the atmosphere, ET are closest to space
* E being Exosphere, T being Thermosphere, leaving M as the Mesosphere
* E T M

14

53
Q

The Atmosphere

What layer sits immediately above the Mesosphere

A

THERMOSPHERE
aka ionosphere

REMEMER
* ET, the little extra terestrial came from space
* When looking at the diagram of the layers of the atmosphere, ET are closest to space
* E being Exosphere, T being Thermosphere, leaving M as the Mesosphere
* E T M

14

54
Q

The Atmosphere

What layer sits immediately above the thermosphere

A

EXOSPHERE

REMEMER
* ET, the little extra terestrial came from space
* When looking at the diagram of the layers of the atmosphere, ET are closest to space
* E being Exosphere, T being Thermosphere, leaving M as the Mesosphere
* E T M

14

55
Q

The Atmosphere

The Tropopause average height in km and ft

A

11km or 36,080 ft

15

56
Q

The Atmosphere

The Stratopause average height in km and ft

A

50km or 164,000 ft

15

57
Q

The Atmosphere

Given that the average height of the Tropopause is 11km, and the average height of the Stratopause is an average heigh of 50km, what is the average extent of the stratosphere

A

11 to 50 km

15

58
Q

The Atmosphere

The Ozone is situated specifically in what proportion of which layer of the atmosphere

A

UPPER TWO THIRDS OF STRATOSPHERE

15

59
Q

The Atmosphere

Weather occurs almost always in which layer of the atmosphere

A

TROPOSPHERE

REMEMBER
* Tropical weather

16

60
Q

The Atmosphere

The Troposphere starts from th Earths surface and extends up to ____ and ____ km high

A

8 to 16 km

16

61
Q

The Atmosphere

The height of the troposphere varies at given latitudes around the earth. What is the average height at the following locations;

  1. Equator
  2. 50° N or S latitude
  3. Poles
A
  1. 16 km or 26,000 ft (-45℃)
  2. 11 km or 36,090 ft (-56℃) (between 9 to 12 km dependant on season)
  3. 8 km or 52,500 ft (℃75) (between 8 to 9 km dependant on season

DIAGRAM 1
DIAGRAM 2

16

62
Q

The Atmosphere

The Stratosphere holds approcimately what % of the atmospheres gases

63
Q

The Atmosphere

The temperature becomes constantly in the Tropopause and lower layer of the stratosphere. This is known as what

A

ISOTHERMAL

16

64
Q

The Atmosphere

Why does the temperature start to increase in the higher layers of the stratosphere

A

OZONE LAYER

  • Ozone layer is carrying out an exothermic reaction
  • Changing light energy to heat energy

17

65
Q

The Atmosphere

As a result of the ozone layer converting light energy into heat energy, the temperature profile is said to be very stable. There is a lack of turbulence at this level as a result also. Therefore, it can be said that the stratosphere is almost completely free of what

A

CLOUDS and WEATHER

17

66
Q

The Atmosphere

Commercial airliners typically cruise between what altitudes in km and feet

A
  1. 9 to 12 km
  2. 30,000 to 39,000 ft

18

67
Q

The Atmosphere

The reason that aircraft cruise between 30,000 to 39,000 ft is due mostly to the low temperature and low air density. What are 2 benefits of the lower temperature and air density

A
  1. INCREASED FUEL EFFICIENCY
    as a result of…
  2. DECREASED PARASITIC DRAG

  • As there is a decrease in air density, this means there are less air molecules.
  • Less air molecules means there is less parasitic drag on the aircraft
  • Less drag means less thrust required to overcome drag, meaning les fuel burn

18

68
Q

The Atmosphere

What is prevented as a result of an inversion layer in the upper layers of the stratosphere.

A

CONVECTION

  • This is why you typically see anvil shapes on the top of large thunderstorm clouds.
  • The air cannot rise any further

18

69
Q

The Atmosphere

What is the average layer extent of the mesosphere in km

A

50 to 85 km

19

70
Q

The Atmosphere

Which 2 layers are considered to be the middle atmosphere

A

STRATOSPHERE and MESOSPHERE

19

71
Q

The Atmosphere

What is the average layer extent of the Termosphere in km

A

85 to 600 km

19

72
Q

The Atmosphere

The gases of the thermosphere become increasingly more dense as you descend towards the earth. As such, incoming high energy ultraviolet and x-ray radiation from the sun begins to be absorbed by the moleculse in this layer and cause a large temperature increase.

What is the temperature range considered to be in ℃

A

-120℃ to 2000℃

19

73
Q

The Atmopshere

What is the average layer extent of the Exosphere in km

A

600 to 10,000 km

19

74
Q

The Atmopshere

The Troposause is colder at the POLES or EQUATOR

A

EQUATOR

  • The Tropopause is higher at the equator
  • Warmer air is less lense so a given parcel of warmer air is a larger volume, meaning the column of air is taller
  • Therefore, the air columb at the equator is warmer and therefore extends further into the amtosphere than at the poles where the column is colder
  • This is why the Tropopause is an average higher altitude at warmer latitudes than cold

20

75
Q

The Atmosphere

The tropopause heights vary at mid latitudes with the seasons. The tropopause heights are HIGHER or LOWER in summer and HIGHER or LOWER in winter

A
  1. HIGHER
  2. LOWER

REMEMBER
* The Tropopause is higher at the equator
* Warmer air is less lense so a given parcel of warmer air is a larger volume, meaning the column of air is taller
* Therefore, the air columb at the equator is warmer and therefore extends further into the amtosphere than at the poles where the column is colder
* This is why the Tropopause is an average higher altitude at warmer latitudes than cold
* In the summer it is hotter, therefore the column of air will extend further

21

76
Q

The Atmosphere

What is the ISA lapse rate in both feet and meters

A

2°C per 1000 ft
6.5°C per 1000 m

1.98°C ⋉ 2°C

ISA Lapse rate

22

77
Q

The Atmosphere

The ISA lapse rate is 2°C per 1000 ft (6.5°C per 1000 m) up to the tropopause, or what given altitude in feet and km

A

11 km or 36,090 ft

ISA Lapse rate

22

78
Q

The Atmosphere

The ISA lapse rate is 2°C per 1000 ft (6.5°C per 1000 m) up to the tropopause (36,090 ft or 11 km). At this point the temperature is isothermal at -56.5°C up to which altitude in km and feet

A

20 km or 65,617 ft

ISA Lapse rate

22

79
Q

The Atmosphere

The ISA lapse rate is 2°C per 1000 ft (6.5°C per 1000 m) up to the tropopause (36,090 ft or 11 km). At this point the temperature is isothermal at -56.5°C up to 20 km or 65,617 ft. After this point the temperature will start rising again slowly at what rate in feet and meters, and up to which altitude in km and feet

A
  1. 0.3°C per 1000 ft (1°C per 1000 m)
  2. 32 km or 104,987 ft

ISA Lapse rate

22

80
Q

The Atmosphere

The equation to work out ISA for a given altitude

A

ISA = 15 - (height in thousands feet x 2)

  • What is the ISA temperature for 10,000 ft
  • 15 - (10 x 2)
  • 15 - 20
  • -5°C

23

81
Q

The Atmosphere

What is the equation for working out the ISA deviation

A

ISA = 15 - (height in thousands feet x 2) - OAT

The OAT at FL100 is -8°C. What is the ISA deviation
* FL100 = 10,000 ft
* ISA temperature = 15 - (10 x 2)
* 15 - 20
* ISA = -5°C
* OAT is given as -8°C
* (-5°C) - (-8°C) = 3°C
* OAT is COLDER than ISA, so the deviation is -3°C

23

82
Q

The Atmosphere

What is the OAT at FL240 if it is ISA +7°C

A

-26°C

  • FL240 = 24,000 ft
  • ISA temperature = 15 - (24 x 2)
  • 15 - 48
  • ISA = -33°C
  • OAT is given as +7°C WARMER than ISA
  • (-33°C) + 7°C) = -26°C

23

ATPL - BGS [Mod 1] Meteorology (27 decks)

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