chapter 4 Flashcards
Describe the relationship between the kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules composing a
substance and the temperature of that substance.
a. Temperature is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules
composing a substance. Therefore, as the average kinetic energy of a substance increases, so
does its temperature.
The Kelvin scale has no negative values. Explain why.
a. The Kelvin scale is the best representation of average kinetic molecular energy. When a
substance has a temperature of 0 K it is at “absolute zero” and essentially has no kinetic energy
because all molecular motion has ceased. A substance cannot have negative kinetic energy.
What is meant by the response time of a thermometer? What type of thermometer has the
fastest response time?
Response time refers to the rapidity at which an instrument resolves changes in temperature.
Electrical resistance thermom
Explain how heat transfer follows the second law of thermodynamics.
a. Heat transfer follows the second law of thermodynamics by flowing from where the
temperature is higher to where it is lower.
Distinguish between sensible heating and latent heating of the atmosphere. Which is more
important on a global annual average basis?
a. Latent heating refers to the transport of heat energy through phase changes of water. Heat is
absorbed from the environment when ice melts, liquid water evaporates, or snow sublimates
(vaporizes). Heat is released to the environment when water freezes, water vapor condenses, or
water vapor deposits as ice. Sensible heating includes both conduction and convection. On a
global average annual basis, latent heating is more important than sensible heating
During which phase changes of water is latent heat released to the environment?
a. Latent heat is released during freezing, condensation, and deposition.
On a global annual average basis, what is the most important process in cooling Earth’s
surface?
a. Latent heat transfer associated with evaporation is the most important cooling process at
Earth’s surface on a global annual average. It is more important than radiational cooling and
sensible heat transfer.
Explain how thunderstorms transfer heat from Earth’s surface to the middle and upper
troposphere.
a. During a thunderstorm, sensible heating combines with latent heating to channel heat from
Earth’s surface into the troposphere. Convection currents surge to great altitudes to form
cumulonimbus clouds.
. Identify the mechanisms involved in poleward heat transport within the Earth-atmosphere
system.
a. The three mechanisms involved with poleward heat transport are air mass exchange, storm
systems, and ocean currents.
Provide some examples of how Earth’s surface properties influence air temperature in the
lower troposphere.
a. Properties on Earth’s surface that influence air temperature are snow cover and moisture.
Snow has a relatively high albedo and reduces the amount of solar radiation that is absorbed. Dry
soil has less moisture for vaporization and more of the available heat is channeled into raising the
air temperature through convection and conduction
all matter is composed of molecules r particles in what kind of motion ?
Vibrational rotational continual and or translational
Energy represented by continual, vibrational, rotational and or translational motion is called
Kinetic energy
What is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of atoms or molecules composing a substance
Temperature
Energy that encompasses all the energy in a substance, which includes kinetic and potential energy arising from forces between atoms/ molecules
Internal energy
When two substances are brought together with different kinetic energy, energy is always transferred from warmer objects to colder.
Heat is energy in transit
What is a bimetallic thermometer?
Two strips of metal with different expansion contraction rates
Name the four types of thermometers
thermograph, electrical residence thermometer, bimetallic or liquid in glass
What is a themograph?
measures and records temperature
What is a temperature gradient?
change in temperature over distance
example the hot equator and cold poles
What are the four heat flow/transfers in the atmosphere
Radiation conduction convection and latent hear -phase changes in water
What is the second law of thermodynamics> ?
Heat flows toward lower temperature so as to eliminate the gradient
This is both a form of energy and a means of energy transfer; it occurs even in a vaccuum such as space
radiation
Absorption of radiation by an object causes the temperature of object to rise
Converts electromagnetic energy to heat Radiational heating Absorption at greater rate than emission Radiational cooling Emission at greater rate than absorption
What part of the heat transfer processes is conduction?
Transfer of kinetic energy of atoms or molecules by collision between neighboring atoms or molecules
What part of the heat transfer process is heat conductivity?
Rate of heat transport across an area to a temperature gradient
Some materials have a higher heat conductivity than others
Solids (metal) are better conductors than liquids
Liquids are better than gases (air)
Heat Transfer Processes convection
Consequence of differences in air density
Transport of heat within a substance via movement of substance itself
Substance must liquid or gas
Very important process for transferring heat in atmosphere
The convection cycle
Ascending warm air expands, cools and eventually sinks back to ground
Heat Transfer processes latent heating
Movement of heat from one location to another due to phase changes of water
Example: evaporation of water, movement of vapor by winds, condensation elsewhere
What is thermal inertia
Resistance to a change in temperature
Large body of water exhibits greater resistance to temperature change than land because of difference in specific heat
What is maritime climate
Immediately downwind of the ocean experience much less annual temperature change
What is a continental climate
locations well inland experience greater annual temperature change
Heat transfer processes
Convection means
The transfer of heat within a fluid via motion of fluid itself. Although conduction takes place in solids liquid and gases convection generally occurs only in liquids or gases
What is a thermograph ?
Hey since there may be connected to a pen and a clock driven drum to produce a continuous trace temperature with time
