Atmosphere And Pressure Flashcards
Definition meteorology
Study of the behaviour and composition of the atmosphere
Atmospheric distribution
1/2 below 5000’
3/4 below 11000’
Average lapse rate through tropopause
2° per 1000’
4 most important elements to weather
Water vapour
Carbon dioxide
Aerosols
Ozone
The ocean has the strongest effect on weather
Troposphere height
9-17 km
36090 ft
Isotherm definition
Atmospheric layers with constant temp
Water vapour state change
Releasing or using latent heat
Effect of CO2
Compound gas
Heats atmosphere by absorbing terrestrial radiation
Presents very small amount in atmosphere but rapid increase causing global warming
Ozone function
Absorb UV light from sun
Heat troposphere
Hectopascal units
Hecto (100)
Pascal 1 newton/m2
Pressure lapse rate
1hpa for every 30’
Isobar definition
Same barometric pressures
Wind flows parallel
Closer isobars are stronger wind
Anticyclones
High pressure enclosed by isobars
Highest pressure in the centre decreasing outwards
Wind flows anti clockwise in southern hemisphere
Air descends in high pressure can cause some cloud
Cyclones
Low pressure in the centre increasing moving outward
Closely spaced isobars high winds
Wind travels clockwise in southern hemisphere
Air rises causing instability
Known as depressions
Ridges
Extension of high pressure isobars
Weather similar to anticyclone
Ridges are never marked