Aviation Weather Flashcards
What are the two main constituent groups of the atmosphere?
Permanent constituents (Nitrogen, Oxygen, Trace Gases) Variable constituents (Solids, Liquids and Gases, ie. dust, ash, clouds, water vapour)
What main gases make up the atmosphere?
Nitrogen (78%) Oxygen (21%) Trace Gases (1%)
What trace gases are present in the atmosphere?
Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Neon, Helium, Methane, Krypton, Hydrogen, Xenon, Ozone)
In the high atmosphere what happens to oxygen?
Oxygen can dissociate from the molecular form (O2) to the atomic form (O), under the influence of very short waves of solar radiation.
What form can water take in the atmosphere?
Fog, Mist, Cloud, Ice and Precipitation.
How can solid particles in the atmosphere affect precipitation?
Solid particles can promote the formation of water droplets by providing condensation nuclei.
What effects can large quantities of solid matter in the atmosphere have?
Large amounts can reduce visibility (sand storms, smoke haze).
How is Ozone formed?
Ozone is the combination of O and O2 O3 can absorb radiation to produce warm layers in the upper atmosphere
What is the lowest layer of the atmosphere?
Troposphere
What is the order of the layers of the atmosphere?
Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere
What are the boundaries between spheres called?
Pauses
Within which atmospheric layer is most of the atmospheric water present?
Troposphere
Within which atmospheric layer does the majority of weather occur?
The Troposphere, as nearly all atmospheric water is present within this zone.
What is the average height of the Troposphere?
36 000 ft
What is the height range for the Troposphere?
25 000 ft - 55 000 ft
What atmospheric zone is located above the Troposphere?
Stratosphere
What is the average height of the Stratosphere?
160 000 ft
What atmospheric zone is located above the Stratosphere?
Mesosphere
What atmospheric zone is located above the Mesosphere?
Thermosphere
What is the height of the Mesosphere?
280 000 ft
What is the height of the Thermosphere?
2 000 000 ft
At what rate does temperature decrease within the Troposphere?
Decreases by 2C per 1000 ft up to the tropopause
What is the average temperature of the Stratosphere?
0 C
What features are associated with the Tropopause?
Rarely clouds above the Tropopause Wind speed is often at its maximum just below the Tropopause Severe Turbulence is often associated with the Tropopause


























































