1. THE ATMOSPHERE

Question 1

Composition of atmosphere (dry air)

Answer 1

Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
CO2, other 1%

Question 2

Which atmospheric gases carry energy?

Answer 2

Water vapour
CO2
Ozone

Question 3

Concentration of water vapor in the atmosphere?

Answer 3

0-4%

Question 4

2 main ways for sunlight to heat the atmosphere?

Answer 4

1. Short wave radiation heats the earth, earth emits long wave radiation which is absorbed by CO2 and water vapor
2. Ozon absorbs UV radiation and heats up, max temp at 50km

Question 5

Relationship of density, pressure and temperature

Answer 5

Density is proportional to pressure / temperature

Question 6

What is convection

Answer 6

Vertical movement of air

Question 7

Average pressure at sea level across the earth (mb, hPa, inches of mercury)

Answer 7

1013.25 mb / hPa = 29.92 inches of mercury

Question 8

0 Degrees Celsius in Farenheit and Kelvin

Answer 8

0 C = 32 F = 273 K

Question 9

Relationship of pressure and density to height

Answer 9

Pressure and density always fall with height

Question 10

Rate of decrease in pressure and density with height in cold compared to warm air

Answer 10

Pressure and density decrease faster with height in cold air

Question 11

Number of feet per millibar at sea level

Answer 11

27

Question 12

Height at the 700mb level

Answer 12

10,000ft

Question 13

Height at the 300mb level

Answer 13

30,000 ft

Question 14

Height at the 500mb level

Answer 14

18,000ft

Question 15

Vertical structure of atmosphere (large scale from bottom to top)

Answer 15

Troposphere (temperature decline to minus 56.6 degrees)
Tropopause (avg. 11km)
Stratosphere (temperature constant than increasing in the Ozone layer to minus 15 degrees
Stratopause (avg. 50km)

Question 16

Height of Troposphere (equator, 50 degrees, poles)

Answer 16

Equator: 16km, 52,000ft, minus 75 degrees
50 degrees: 9-12km depending on season, 36,000ft, minus 56 degrees
Poles: 8km, 26,000ft, minus 45 degrees

Question 17

Standard atmosphere (sea level parameters)

Answer 17

Pressure: 1,013.25hPa
Temp: 15 degrees celsius
Density: 1,225g/sqm
Temp Lapse rate: 1.98 degrees celsius per 1000ft (6.5 degrees / 1000 m)

Question 18

Standard atmosphere (vertical temperature structure)

Answer 18

Sea level: 15 degrees celsius
Lapsing at 1.98 degrees per 1,000ft to minus 56.5 degrees celsius at 36,000ft (11km)
Constant up to 65,000ft (20km)
Lapsing at 0.3 degrees per 1,000ft to minus 44.5 degrees celsius at 105,000ft (32km)

Question 19

Calculating ISA temperature for the purpose of exam

Answer 19

ISA = 15 - 2 x Height in 1,000 ft
ISA = 15 - 6.5 x Height in km