Atmosphere & Weathers

Question 1

Energy available at the surface =

Answer 1

Incoming solar radiation - (reflected solar radiation + surface absorption + sensible heat transfer + long wave radiation + latent heat transfers)

Question 2

Albedo

Answer 2

Proportion of energy that is reflected back to the atmosphere

Question 3

Sensible heat transfer

Answer 3

Movement of parcels of air into and out of the area being studied

Question 4

Night time energy budget - 4

Answer 4

Latent heat transfer- Condensation
Absorbed energy returned to Earth (sub -surface supply)
Earth radiation
Sensible heat transfer

Question 5

Absolute humidity

Answer 5

Amount of water in the atmosphere

Question 6

Relative humidity

Answer 6

Water vapour present expressed as percentage of maximum amount of water vapour air at that temperature can hold

Question 7

Condensation nuclei

Answer 7

Ie dust and salt

Needed for fog and mist to form

Question 8

Advection fog

Answer 8

Warm air flows over a cold surface

Eg. Warm air from the Gulfstream passes over waters of Labrador current near the Grand Banks of Newfoundland

Question 9

Radiation fog

Answer 9

Ground loses heat at night by long wave radiation

High pressure conditions ie clear skies

Question 10

Dew

Answer 10

Condensation on a surface

Question 11

Temperature inversions

Answer 11

Relative increase in temperature with height in the lower part of the atmosphere

Question 12

Specific Heat Capacity

Answer 12

The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a body by 1*C

Question 13

Coriolis Effect

Answer 13

Deflection of moving objects caused by the easterly rotation of the Earth

Question 14

Adiabatic processes

Answer 14

Processes that relate to the rising and sinking of air

Question 15

Diabatic processes

Answer 15

Physical mixing of air

Question 16

Normal / Environmental Lapse Rate

Answer 16

Actual temperature decline with height

- usually 6*C/km

Question 17

DALR

Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate

Answer 17

Adiabatic cooling and warming in dry (unsaturated) air

- 10*C / km

Question 18

SALR

Saturated Adiabatic Lapse Rate

Answer 18

Adiabatic Cooling and warming in saturated air

- between 4C / km and 9C / km

Question 19

Unstable air conditions

Answer 19

ELR > DALR

Eg. On a hot day when ground layers are heated considerably

Question 20

Stable air conditions

Answer 20

ELR > DALR
ELR > SALR

Eg . Anticyclone (high pressure conditions)

Question 21

Conditional Instability

Answer 21

ELR between SALR and DALR

When air is saturated

Question 22

Anticyclones

Answer 22

Stable high pressure systems characterised by
clear skies
Low wind speeds

Question 23

Advection fog

Answer 23

Warm moist air flows horizontally over a cooler land or sea surface

Question 24

Steam fog

Answer 24

Cold polar air meets relatively warm water

Evaporation from the water quickly saturates the air and resulting condensation leads to steaming

Question 25

Radiation fog

Answer 25

Low lying areas during calm weather
Surface of the ground is cooled at night and cools air above it
Air flows into hollows and is cooled to dew point

Question 26

Dew point

Answer 26

Temp at which condensation occurs

Question 27

Daytime energy budget - 6

Answer 27

Incoming solar radiation
Reflected solar radiation
Surface absorption
Sensible heat transfer
Long wave radiation
Latent heat (evaporation)