Atmosphere 2 (lecture 20)

Question 1

Phases of water on earth

Answer 1

water vapour (gas), liquid water (aerosol), and solid ice (aerosol)

Question 2

Amount of water vapour in the atmosphere

Answer 2

0.3% to 4%

Question 3

Dalton’s law of partial pressures

Answer 3

the pressures of a mixture of gases can be expressed as the sum of the partial pressures of all the components

Question 4

Latent heat

Answer 4

the energy that is released/absorbed when water changes state

Question 5

Saturation pressure

Answer 5

the partial pressure of water at saturation and represents the maximum amount of water vapour that air can hold at equilibrium at a particular temperature

Question 6

relative humidity

Answer 6

the partial pressure of water divided by the saturation pressure

Question 7

Condensation occurs when relative humidity is

Answer 7

100%

Question 8

Adiabatic time-lapse rate

Answer 8

as air masses rise, the pressure falls and they cool at a constant rate of 10degrees per km

Question 9

The adiabatic cooling of rising air causes condensation because

Answer 9

colder air has less capacity for moisture

Question 10

Condenstation releases energy as ______

Answer 10

latent heat

Question 11

Moist adiabatic lapse rate

Answer 11

6 degrees per km

Question 12

moist adiabatic lapse rate is different from lapse rate due to

Answer 12

Adiabatic cooling of rising air causes condensation that releases energy as latent heat. This offsets adiabatic cooling

Question 13

Condensation occurs when

Answer 13

water vapor forms liquid water or ice

Question 14

The first nucleus of a new waterdrop or ice crystal required energy input called ______

Answer 14

nucleation energy

Question 15

Nucleation is easier on a ____ surface

Answer 15

solid

Question 16

Bergeron process

Answer 16

the process by which supercooled water droplets release vapour that condenses on ice crystals and clouds of water and ice forms

Question 17

Below ___ degrees, water droplets are all ice in clouds

Answer 17

-20

Question 18

The process of forming clouds

Answer 18

1. air rises
2. adiabatic cooling reduces the temperature of an air mass
3. cooling air increases the relative humidity until condensation occurs

Question 19

4 basic ways air is forced to rise and cool to form clouds

Answer 19

density lifting, frontal lifting, orographic lifting, and convergence lifting

Question 20

Convergence lifting

Answer 20

occurs where masses of air collide forcing them to rise (such as at an island)

Question 21

Density lifting

Answer 21

occurs when warm and low-density air rises and expands

Question 22

Frontal lifting

Answer 22

occurs when the movement of air masses drives warm air over cold

Question 23

Orographic lifting

Answer 23

occurs where a mountain range forces air masses to rise and where dry ar descends down the other side of the mountain

Question 24

Cloud types

Answer 24

cumulus, stratus, and cirrus

Question 25

Clouds are classified based on their:

Answer 25

shape and altitude/position, and sometimes: origin and the amount of possible rain/snow coming from them.

Question 26

Cumulus clouds

Answer 26

have a flat base and a domed top that is typical of rising warm air. The flat base at the surface is where the water reaches its condensation point.

Question 27

Cumulus clouds generally form at ____ altitudes

Answer 27

lower (2-6 km)

Question 28

Stratus Clouds

Answer 28

form horizontally extensive flat layers, and are typical of frontal lifting where warm air spreads over cold.

Question 29

Stratus clouds generally form at ____ altitudes

Answer 29

lower (2km)

Question 30

Cirrus clouds

Answer 30

wispy, high altitude made of ice particles in the upper troposphere

Question 31

Cirrus clouds generally form at ___ altitudes

Answer 31

high - above 6km in the troposphere

Question 32

Names for higher elevation cumulus clouds

Answer 32

altocumulus and cirrocumulus

Question 33

Names for higher elevation stratus clouds

Answer 33

altostratus, and cirrostratus

Question 34

Cloud variants

Answer 34

cumulonimbus, nimbostratus, and stratocumulus

Question 35

Cumulonimbus cloud variants

Answer 35

are associated with heavy rain and lightning. This cloud can hit the top of the troposphere as the release of latent heat during condensation allows air masses to rise.

Question 36

Nimbostratus cloud variants

Answer 36

Stratus clouds that cover the entire sky, and are associated with heavy rain and snow

Question 37

Stratocumulus cloud variants

Answer 37

Occurs when cumulus clouds emerge to form a semi-continuous layer in the atmosphere with little precipitation.

Question 38

Solar radiation

Answer 38

the ultimate driving force of atmospheric circulation, weather, and climate, as well as ocean currents including deep circulation

Question 39

Solar energy flux

Answer 39

the amount of energy in an electromagnetic wave that passes a perpendicular surface per unit time (measured in W/m^2)

Question 40

Flux from the sun

Answer 40

1370 W/m^2

Question 41

Solar flux is lower at the equator because

Answer 41

radiation hits at a higher angle, distributing energy over a wider area

Question 42

Precession

Answer 42

determines which hemisphere points towards the sun at certain points in the orbit