Climate

Question 1

Synoptic Scale

Answer 1

Anti cyclones, depressions, tropical cyclones, trade winds

Question 2

Layers of the atmosphere

Answer 2

troposphere (0-12km), stratosphere (12km-48km), mesosphere (48km-85km), thermosphere (87km-100km)

Question 3

Ozone layer

Answer 3

20-30km

Question 4

What are the non variant and variant gases and their percentages

Answer 4

Non variant
Nitrogen -78%
Oxygen- 20.1% 
Argon- 1%
Variant
Water vapour, carbon dioxide, ozone

Question 5

Meaning of non variant and variant gases

Answer 5

Non variant- same concentration throughout the atmosphere

variant- different concentrations throughout the atmosphere

Question 6

Irradiance

Answer 6

the amount of solar radiation on a surface perpendicular to the solar beam

Question 7

Difference between global energy balance and radiation budget

Answer 7

Global energy balance: balance between incoming energy from the sun and outgoing heat from earth. It regulates the state of the earth’s climate. It is energy balance on a smaller, more local
Radiation Budget: balance between incoming energy from the sun and outgoing long wave (thermal) and reflected shortwave energy from the earth.

Question 8

Difference between global energy balance and radiation budget (symbols)

What do these symbols mean?

Answer 8

Energy Balance: Q= Qg+ Qe+Qh
Qh= sensible heat
Qg=conduction of heat from soil
Qe= latent heat
Radiation Budget:
Q=K+L (day)
Q=L (night)
Q= decrease K- increase K+ decrease L− increase L (daytime and positive)
Q= decrease L −increase L (noncturnal and negative)
Q*= global distribution of net radiation or principle energy source which drives the circulation system
K= short wave radiation, L= long wave radiation

Question 9

What are the factors that influence net radiation?

Answer 9

Diurnal, seasonal, and latitudinal variability, composition of the atmosphere, surface types, solar variability

Question 10

Definition of shortwave and long wave r

Answer 10

Short wave radiation- energy from the sun

Long wave radiation- energy that is reflected from the earth

Question 11

Planacks Law

Answer 11

the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a black body on thermal equilibrium at a definite temperature

Question 12

Factors affecting temperature

Answer 12

Pressure gradient force 
Elevation
Latitude 
Season 
Proximity to bodies of water

Question 13

Global atmospheric circulation

Answer 13

1. Subtropical or Hadley Cell
2. The mid-latitude or ferrel cell
3. High latitude or polar cell
4. Intertropical convergence zone
5. Polar front

Question 14

Major forces generating air motion

Answer 14

1. Pressure Gradient Force- force between low and high pressure systems- drives air from high pressure to low pressure
2. Coriolis Force- deflection by earth’s rotation left in southern hemisphere, right in northern hemisphere
3. Centripetal Force- curved motion of air
4. Friction- retarding influence on the surface of the earth

Question 15

What is an anticyclone

Answer 15

• Closed high pressure system with a general west-east trending axis
• Associated with upper and lower level convergence and subsidence
• Weather typically fine, with light winds

Question 16

What is a depression

Answer 16

• Forms in association with fronts
• Rotate clockwise
• Air in these system ascends, rather than subsiding in high pressure systems, cools and condenses forming clouds
• associated with intense rain cold temperatures
• east coast lows

Question 17

What is a front

Answer 17

• Convergence zone of two airbuses with distinctly different temperature and humidity characteristics
• Warm air rises over cool air, moisture vapour condenses to produce cloud, and precipitation

Question 18

Warm front

Answer 18

Warm air replacing cold air

Precipitation is typically observed often with nimbostratus before clearing weather

Question 19

Cold front

Answer 19

Cold air replacing warm air

Precipitation associated with rearward sloping ascent in concentrated close to the frontal zone

Question 20

Monsoon

Answer 20

A collection of low pressure systems which are persistent in the tropical north in summertime
Driven by trough
Important for rainfall- 80% of annual rainfall in northern Australia between dec and mar