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Geography > Climatology > Flashcards

Climatology Flashcards

1-15: Structure & Composition of Atmosphere | 16 - 26: Temperature | 27 - 45: Air Currents

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1
Q

Atmosphere is divided into? (Name different types and names of layers within respectively)

A

(I) Troposphere, Stratosphere (Temperature Inversion), Mesosphere, Thermosphere (Temperature Inversion), Exosphere
(II) Homosphere and Heterosphere
(III) Ozonosphere and Ionosphere

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2
Q

Relationship between Temperature and Pressure is?

A

Generally, Temperature ∝ 1/Pressure

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3
Q

O2, CO2, H2O (g) is negligible at a height of?

A

O2: 120 Km
CO2 and H20 (g): 90 Km

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4
Q

Green House Effect is for the good and bad. Explain.

A

CO2 is transparent to insolation, but opaque to outradiation.
It absorbs and reflects some of the out radiated energy.
This keeps earth warm and is known as GH Effect

Note: Due to this phenomenon, Earth gets heated more by out radiation rather than insolation

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5
Q

Composition of gases in the atmosphere is?

A
  1. N2 (78%)
  2. O2 (21%)
  3. Ar (0.93%)
  4. CO2 (0.04%)

Note: Water Vapor is highly variable (0 - 4%)
Water Vapor ∝ 1/Latitude

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6
Q

50% of the atmosphere is confined within __ Km
97% of the atmosphere is confined within __ Km
99% of the atmosphere is confined within __ Km

A

50% of the atmosphere is confined within 5.6 Km
97% of the atmosphere is confined within 30 Km
99% of the atmosphere is confined within 40 Km

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7
Q

Basic components and its direction
Convection
Advection
Rising Warm Air
Wind
Current
Ocean Current

A

Convection - Vertical Transfer of Heat
Advection - Horizontal Transfer of Heat
Rising Warm Air - Convective Current
Wind - Horizontal Movement of Air
Current - Vertical Movement of Air
Ocean Current - Horizontal Movement of Water

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8
Q

About Ozone: Characteristic and Range?

A

Ozone absorbs UV rays from sun

O3 lies between 10-50KM

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9
Q

About Dust Particles: Components, characteristic, and concentration of dust particles?

A

Components: Sea salts, Fine soil, Smoke - soot, Ash, Pollen, Dust, Disintegrated meteor particles, Aerosols

Characteristic: Essential for cloud formation as condensation/hygroscopic nuclei to produce clouds

Note: Concentration of particles is high in Sub - Tropical & Temperate Region (Reason: Dry Winds)

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10
Q

Variation of T, ρ with Height?

A

Generally, T, ρ ∝ 1/Height

Note: Scenarios will be dealt where Temperature increases with height

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11
Q

About Troposphere: Average height, Height at Poles, Height at Equator, Rate of decline in temperature, and Boundary (& Temperature at)?

A

Average Height = 13 Km
Height at Poles = 8 - 10 Km
Height at Equator = 16 - 18 Km
Rate of Decline (Normal Lapse Rate) = 6.4°C / 1 Km
Boundary = Tropopause (Temperature ~ -80°C (Above Equator) & ~-45°C (Above Poles))

Reason: Colder temperature is above Equator because of strong convectional currents

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12
Q

About Stratosphere: Range, and Characteristic

A

Range: Extends upto 50 Km
Characteristic: Ozonosphere
(Temperature increases with height)

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13
Q

About Mesosphere: Range, and Characteristic

A

Range: Extends upto 80 Km
Characteristic: Mesopause
(Lowest Temperature in Atmosphere ~ -100°C)

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14
Q

About Thermosphere: Range, and Characteristic

A

Range: Extends upto 400 Km
Characteristic: Ionosphere
(Temperature increases with height)

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15
Q

Upper most layer of the atmosphere is known as?

A

Exosphere

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16
Q

Earth is farthest from Sun on _____ is known as ___
Earth is nearest to Sun on _____ is known as ___

A

Earth is farthest from Sun on 04th July is known as Apogee
Earth is nearest to Sun on 03rd January is known as Perigee

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17
Q

Insolation comparison of Tropics to Poles

A

Insolation at Tropics > 4 * Insolation at Poles

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18
Q

On the same Latitude, compare the Insolation of Continent to Ocean

A

Insolation received by Continent > Insolation received by Ocean

Reason: More clouds over the oceans reflect insolation

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19
Q

Define Albedo. What is the Albedo of the following:
Snow + Ice, Clouds, Earth, Bituminous

A

Albedo: Reflected Energy
Snow + Ice = 70 - 90 %
Clouds = 50 - 70 %
Earth = 32 - 35 %
Bituminous = 10 %

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20
Q

Define ELR and NLR.

A

Environmental Lapse Rate: Actual rate of decline of temperature with increase in height

Normal Lapse Rate: Average rate of decline of temperature with increase in height

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21
Q

Why Stratosphere (Just above Tropopause/Troposphere) is ideal for flying?

A

Just above the tropopause, there exists an Isothermal zone with not much convection and ozone.

Reasons ideal for flying:
1. Absence of Clouds
2. Absence of Strong Convectional Currents
3. Presence of Isothermal Conditions

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22
Q

What is the effect of sunspots on insolation?

A

Sunspots ∝ Insolation
Generally, the sunspot cycle occurs in 11 years

Note: The change is negligible

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23
Q

Define Advection. Its effect on Temperature. Give examples.

A
  1. Advection: Horizontal Heat Transfer
  2. Place in path of the warmer winds gets heated and vice - versa
  3. Examples: Hot Winds in North India Loo and Hot winds from Sahara desert to Mediterranean Sirocco
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24
Q

Explain Heat Balance. (Provide details of Short Wave Radiation and Long Wave Radiation)

A

SWR
1. Total from Sun = 100 units
2. Atm reflected = 27 (Clouds) + 2 (Ice) + 6 (Atm) = 35 units
3. Atm absorbed = 14 units
4. Earth absorbed = 51 units
5. Total Absorbed = 65 units

LWR
1. Earth reflected = 17 units (Space) + 34 units (Atm)
2. Atm absorbed = 6 units (Direct) + 9 (Convection + Turbulence) + 19 units (Latent heat of condensation)
3. Total atmosphere observed = 48 units reflected back to space
4. Earth reflected to space = 17 units
5. Total Reflected = 65 units

Summary
Total Absorbed = Total Reflected
Therefore, the phenomenon is known as Heat Balance (or) Heat Budget

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25
Q

Factors affecting Horizontal Distribution of Temperature

A

HDoT: Distribution of Temperatures across the latitudes

Factors:
1. Latitude
2. Altitude
3. Land and Sea Differential
4. Ocean Currents
5. Air Masses
6. Vegetation (The soil with vegetation receives heat slowly which lowers the temperature in the region because of increase in evapotranspiration)

26
Q

Factors affecting Temperature Inversion and Effects

A

Factors affecting Temperature Inversion:
1. Long Winter Nights
2. Clear Cloudless Sky
3, Dry Air
4. Ice Covered Area
5. Calm Atmosphere

Effects of Temperature Inversion:
1. Poor Air Quality
2. Fog and Reduced Visibility
3. Limited Rainfall
4. Agriculture (Depends on type of crop - dry/water intensive)

27
Q

Steep PGF v/s Gentle PGF

A
  1. Isobars Spacing: Closer <> Wider
  2. Rate of Change of Pressure: Faster <> Slower
  3. Strength of PGF: Strong <> Weak
  4. Movement of Air: Faster <> Slower
  5. Examples: Tropical Cyclone <> Normal Day
28
Q

PGF acts at _____ angles to the Isobars in the direction of _______ Pressure

A

PGF acts at Right angles to the Isobars in the direction of Low Pressure

29
Q

Coriolis Force - Cause, Effect, and relation with latitude, wind velocity, & object velocity

A

Cause: Earth’s Rotation causes deflection in true paths of any object

Effect: Ferrel’s Law of Deflection
1. In Northern Hemisphere: Deflects towards Right of the object
2. In Southern Hemisphere: Deflects towards Left of the object

Relations:
1. Coriolis Effect ∝ Latitude
2. Coriolis Effect ∝ Wind Velocity
3. Coriolis Effect ∝ Object Velocity

30
Q

Global Atmospheric Pressure Difference is a combined effect of _______ and _________

A

Global Atmospheric Pressure Difference is a combined effect of Differential Heating and Earth’s Rotation

31
Q

Hadley - One Cell Model About?

A
  • Based on the assumption of a non - rotating Earth
  • Based on Convectional Currents
  • Oversimplified Model for reducing constraints
32
Q

Ferrel’s Tri Cellular Model About?

A
  • Based on a uniform Earth surface (Either land/water)
  • Based on a rotating Earth
  • Sun is overhead at the Equator
33
Q

Which belts are known as Thermally Induced Belts?

A

Equatorial Low Pressure Belt and Polar High Pressure Belt

34
Q

Which belts are known as Dynamically Induced Belts?

A

Sub - Tropical High Pressure Belt and Temperate Low Pressure Belt

35
Q

Trades, Westerlies, and Polar Easterlies are known as? The 3 winds together known as?

A
  1. Planetary Winds
  2. Prevailing Winds
36
Q

Relation between seasonal variation in Insolation and Latitudes

A

Seasonal variation in Insolation ∝ Latitudes

37
Q

Winds occurring in the following zones are?
(a) ELPB - STHPB
(b) STHPB - TLPB
(c) TLPB - PHPB

A

(a) NE Trades (If considered Southern then SE Trades)
(b) Westerlies
(c) Polar Easterlies

38
Q

Name the three cells of the Ferrel model with the zones?

A

(a) ELPB - STHPB: Hadley Cell
(b) STHPB - TLPB: Ferrel Cell
(c) TLPB - PHPB: Polar Cell

39
Q

Due to shift in the position of Sun, By how much do the Pressure Belts and Pressure Cells shift?

A
  1. Pressure Belts: 5 - 10° N/S
  2. Pressure Cells: 2 - 20° N/S

Note:
- Shift of Pressure Cells in N hemisphere is more because of complex mix of land and water
- Shift of Pressure Cells is greatest in lower latitudes
- Max impact due to shifting of pressure cells is seen in the mid latitude areas

40
Q

Define ITCZ and provide with number of equators of Earth?

A
  1. ITCZ - Inter Tropical Convergence Zone
    It is the zone of convergence of trade winds
  2. Number of Equators = 3
    - (Geographical) Equator
    - Magnetic Equator
    - Thermal (or) Meteorological Equator
41
Q

Define Doldrums

A
  • Calm area of ITCZ is called Doldrums
  • Weak PGF and Weak Winds
42
Q

Define Horse Latitudes

A
  • Occurs in 30° N/S
  • Horses are thrown away (or) consumed to reduce the load
  • Comparatively Dry Air and Weak Winds
  • Suitable for Anti - Cyclonic conditions
43
Q

About two cases of breezes

A
  1. Land and Sea Breeze
    - Daytime: Sea Breeze
    - Nighttime: Land Breeze
  2. Valley and Mountain Breeze
    - Daytime: Valley Breeze (Anabatic Winds)
    Remember: A in Anabatic - Assent
    - Nighttime: Mountain Breeze (Katabatic Winds)
44
Q

Types of Winds

A
  1. Primary Winds (or) Planetary Winds
    Trades, Westerlies, and Polar Easterlies
  2. Secondary Winds (or) Periodic Winds
    Monsoon, Land & Sea Breeze, Mountain & Valley Breeze
  3. Tertiary Winds (or) Local Winds
    - Hot Local Winds: Loo, Sirocco, Foehn, Chinook, and Harmattan
    - Cold Local Winds: Mistral, Bora, and Blizzard
45
Q

Define jet streams. Their speed, shape, and what is their path called as?

A

Jet Streams: Fast moving air found in the upper troposphere which blows from West to East

Speed: 110 Km/hr in Summer and 180 Km/hr in Winter

Shape: Circular, By which the speed of jet stream decreases radially outwards

Path of jet streams is known as Rossby waves

46
Q

Define Geostrophic Wind and its features

A

Definition: The air in the upper atmosphere where PGF and Coriolis force balances out (i.e. angle between them is 180°) and parallel to the straight isobars

  • No frictional force acts on it
47
Q

Evaporation relation with
(a) Temperature
(b) Surface Area
(c) Wind Speed
(d) Air Pressure
(e) Salinity
(f) Transpiration

A

(a) Evaporation ∝ Temperature
(b) Evaporation ∝ Surface Area
(c) Evaporation ∝ Wind Speed
(d) Evaporation ∝ 1/Air Pressure
(e) Evaporation ∝ 1/Salinity
(f) Evaporation < Transpiration

48
Q

Which curtails the visibility more?
(a) Fog
(b) Mist
(c) Haze

A

Fog > Mist > Haze

Fog: Visibility range <1Km
Mist: Visibility range: 1-2 Km
Haze: Visibility range: 2-5 Km

49
Q

Which clouds are Vertical Clouds?

A

Cumulus and Cumulonimbus

These are tall, narrow, and puffy
Note: They are Cumuliform

50
Q

Which clouds are Low Clouds?

A

Stratus, Stratocumulus, Nimbostratus

These are general overcast clouds
Note: They are Stratiform

51
Q

Which Clouds are Middle Clouds?

A

Altocumulus and Altostratus

Only family of clouds where the forms are Cumuliform and Stratiform

52
Q

Which Clouds are High Clouds?

A

Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, Cirrostratus

They are thin, white, and icy
These are Cirriform

53
Q

Forms of Precipitation

A
  1. Drizzle and Rain
  2. Sleet (Frozen Rain)
  3. Hail (Ice Fall of diameter 5 - 50mm)
  4. Virga (Relative humidity of air < ppt clouds then rain evaporates before reaching ground)
54
Q

Define Airmass

A

A large body carrying air with uniform temperature and humidity

Note: They can reach upto Stratosphere (16Km)

55
Q

Define Front

A

The boundary between two air masses of different densities

56
Q

What are the types of fronts?

A
  1. Warm Front: Warm Airmass pushes away Cold Airmass completely from a region
  2. Cold Front: Cold Airmass pushes warm airmass such that little of the warm airmass rests on top
  3. Stationary Front: Because of higher difference in temperature, the warm airmass and cold airmass remain in contact, but no dissipation is observed
  4. Occluded Front: When a cold airmass pushes the warm airmass such that there is a cold airmass adjacent to the warm airmass
57
Q

Fronts are typically found in

A

Middle Latitudes (30° - 65° N/S)

58
Q

Effect of temperature and wind in airmass interaction?

A
  1. Thickness of Frontal zone and Ease of merging ∝ 1/Temperature Difference
  2. Front experiences wind shift
59
Q

Define Cyclone

A

The central part (eye) of the cyclone has very low pressure and corresponding adjacent isobars are present closely with a difference of about 10 - 15 mb

60
Q

Define Temperate/Extra-Tropical/Wave Cyclones

A
  • Occurs in Mid latitude (35° - 65°N/S)
  • Cyclone formed due to frontogenesis
  • Diameter = 150 Km to >3000 Km
  • Height = 10 - 12 Km
  • Velocity = 32Km/hr (Summer) to 48Km/hr (Winter)
  • Frequency Winter > Summer
  • Path: West to East
  • Lifetime: 2 - 3 Weeks
61
Q

Define Tropical Cyclones

A
  • Occurs in Tropics (10° - 30° N/S)
  • Frontal Systems Absent
  • Diameter = 10 - 150 Km
  • Height = 9 - 15 Km
  • Velocity = 100 - 250 Km/hr
  • Surface temperature ~ 26 - 27°C
  • Path: East to West
  • Lifetime: Less than a Week

Geography (5 decks)

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