12: Atmosphere Motion - Moist Processes (SALR)

Question 1

Relative Humidity

1) Relative to
2) High RH means

Answer 1

1) Relative to the maximum amount of moisture air can hold at a particular temperature
2) Mean the air is holding close to the maximum amount of moisture possible at the current temperature

Question 2

Greater potential to form clouds is due to

Answer 2

warming of the atmosphere as the ability to hold more moisture before it condenses out

Question 3

Can all three states of water exist at the same time & place

Answer 3

Yes, they can also change their state during it

Question 4

Depsoition / desublimation

Answer 4

Transition of a substance directly from the gas phase to the solid phase without passing through the intermediate liquid phase

Question 5

Evaporation

Answer 5

transition of a substance directly from the liquid phase to the gas phase

Question 6

Condensation

Answer 6

transition of a substance directly from the gas phase to the liquid phase

Question 7

Fusion

Answer 7

transition of a substance directly from the liquid phase to the solid phase

Question 8

Melting

Answer 8

transition of a substance directly from the solid phase to liquid phase

Question 9

Sublimation

Answer 9

transition of a substance directly from the solid phase to the gas phase without passing through the intermediate liquid phase

Question 10

Condensation

How does it happen in the atmosphere

Answer 10

parcel of air with moisture in it,
raises the parcel of air - (temperature decrease)
as temperature decreases,
(cold air cant hold less & less moisture),
any moisture in the parcel has to condense out at some point to water vapor and during that process, heat will be released.

Question 11

Melting

How does it occur

Answer 11

to break bonds in ice you need heat, therefore heat is absorbed

Question 12

1) Heat is absorbed to

2) Heat is released when

Answer 12

1) convert ice to a liquid to a vapor

2) water vapor is converted to liquid to ice

Question 13

Pseudo/Moist/Saturated Adiabatic Process

Answer 13

There is no change in temperature when water vapour condenses to a liquid, although heat is released

Question 14

Closed system with water & dry air

1) Which will initially dominate, condensation or evaporation?
2) Why?
3) How is equilibrium reached

Answer 14

1) Evaporation
2) as it is completely dry, a gradient is formed, mass of air warmer than the air around it so heat rises,
3) eventually, too much water vapor in the air so condenses down

Question 15

Saturation Vapor Pressure

Define

Answer 15

The pressure at which water vapor will condense

Question 16

What are these phases only dependant on:

1) Evaporation
2) Condensation
3) Saturation Vapor Pressure

Answer 16

1) Temperature
2) Vapor pressure
3) Temperature

Question 17

Why is SALR always lower than DALR

Answer 17

As temperature decreases with height,
saturation also decreases
A rising moist parcel will condense out its water vapor
Latent heat released, therefor dry & starts to rise again at the DALR

Question 18

Skew-T Log-P Diagram
What denotes:
1) T
2) P
3) What happens when dew point & temperature trace lines meet

Answer 18

1) Temperature
2) Pressure
3) Condensation (forms clouds)

Question 19

Which can hold more moisture

1) warm or cold air

Answer 19

1) Warm air