11: Atmosphere Motion - Dry Processes (DALR)

Question 1

Form of Energy in the Atmosphere (4)

Answer 1

1) Electrical energy 
(Thunderstorms & lightning)
2) External kinetic energy
(Winds)
3) Potential energy
(Vertical motion)
4) Work done
(Parcels expand as they rise)
(Parcels contract as they sink)

Question 2

Sources of energy available to parcel of air

3

Answer 2

1) Internal (kinetic) energy
2) External energy
(via absorption of UV by O3)
3) External energy
(via surface heating - close to surface)

Question 3

Define Adiabatic

Answer 3

No external source of energy

Question 4

Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DALR)

1) Define
2) 1* C
3) 10* C

Answer 4

1) Rate at which temperature changes
(no change of phase)
2) 1* C for every 100 m
3) 10 * C for every 1000 m

Question 5

Environmental Lapse Rate
Depending on the atmosphere, the parcel of air temperature will change. what happens when:
1) Warm
2) Cold
3) Same temp

Answer 5

1) Rise & due to buoyancy will cause unstable conditions
2) Sink - stable conditions
3) It wont move - neutral conditions

Question 6

What determines atmospheric stability

Answer 6

The temperature of a parcel of air relative to the temperature of its surrounding environment

Question 7

When does a neutral atmosphere occur

Answer 7

If actual lapse rate is exact equal to DALR

Question 8

Unstable atmosphere calculation (DALR)
1) Atmosphere
20* C at surface
8* C, at 1 km
2) Parcel of air
20* C at surface
10* C, at 1 km
What happens to the parcel of air?

Answer 8

Parcel (dry) warmer than environment & therefor rise

Question 9

Stable atmosphere calculation (DALR)
1) Atmosphere
20* C at surface
13* C, at 1 km
2) Parcel of air
20* C at surface
10* C, at 1 km
What happens to the parcel of air?

Answer 9

Parcel (dry) is cooler than environment & therefor sink

Question 10

If the environment/actual lapse rate is greater than the DALR then…

Answer 10

Parcel (dry) is warmer than its surrounding environment = unstable conditions

Question 11

If the environment/actual lapse rate is less than the DALR then…

Answer 11

Parcel (dry) is cooler than its surrounding environment = stable conditions

Question 12

If the environment/actual lapse rate is equal than the DALR then…

Answer 12

Parcel & environment at the same temperature = neutral conditions