Ch.1 The Atmosphere

Question 1

At what height and temperature is the tropopause over the poles?

Answer 1

Approx 26500FT (8KM) -40C

Question 2

At what height and temperature is the tropopause over the equator?

Answer 2

Approx. 59500FT (18KM) -70C

Question 3

What defines the tropopause regarding temperature?

Answer 3

Temperature stops decreasing with height

Question 4

What are the characteristics of an isothermal layer?

Answer 4

Where temperature is constant

Question 5

What are the layers of the atmosphere?

Answer 5

1. Troposphere
   -Temp decreases with height
   — Tropopause
   —- Temp remains constant
2. Stratosphere
   - Temp increases with height (due to Ozone)
   — Stratopause
   —- Temp remains constant
3. Mesosphere
   - Temp decreases with height
   — Mesopause
   —- Temp remains constant
4. Themosphere
   - Temp increases with height (due to solar radiation)

Question 6

What is the time period defined for diurnal variation?

Answer 6

24hrs

Question 7

When is atmosphere most warm and most cool?

Answer 7

Warm = 2 to 3PM

Cool = just prior to dawn

Question 8

Where is the least diurnal variation?

Answer 8

Over the sea (approx 1C)

Question 9

Where is the most diurnal variation and what conditions promote this?

Answer 9

In land with calm conditions

Question 10

The temperature at the base of the stratosphere is lowest over the equator or the poles?

Answer 10

The equator

Question 11

What is the chemical % percentage of atmosphere composition:

Nitrogen
Oxygen
Other gases

Answer 11

78% nitrogen
21% oxygen
1% other gases

Question 12

What is the pressure hPa and temperature of the standard atmosphere?

Answer 12

1013.25hPa

15C

Question 13

What is the fixed lapse rate in the standard atmosphere?

To what altitude does this go and what is the assumed temperature at this altitude?

Answer 13

1.98C per 1000ft
36,090ft
-56.5C