Effects on thermal structure Flashcards
Nitrogen, Oxygen and Argon represent what % of the atmosphere?
99.97%
What is the definition of the upper limit and what height is is located at?
Where the composition of the atmosphere ceases to be constant. Located at 85KM
List the 3 properties of the atmosphere
Mobile, Occupies space and has weight
Half the weight of the atmosphere is located below:
5.5km or 18000ft
List the 4 most important components of the atmosphere
Water Vapor
Carbon Dioxide
Ozone
Impurities
Water vapor in the atmosphere is produced by what 2 things, mainly
Evaporation
Evapotranspiration
Carbon dioxide absorbs _____ amount of terrestrial radiation and a _____ amount of solar radiation
Large
small
Most of the atmospheric radiation is due to:
Ultraviolet solar radiation, free electrons and cosmic radiations on oxygen molecules
At what altitude is most of the ozone found?
between 15 and 40 km
Why is ozone so important
It stops ultraviolet solar radiation from reaching the earth
What do the atmospheric impurities consist of?
Mineral debris
Vegetable matter
bacteria
and particles of sea salt
What is water vapor’s main effect on radiation
Solar: A little absorption
Terrestrial: absorption
What is carbon dioxide’s effect on radiation:
Solar: Transmission
Terrestrial: Absorption
What is Ozone’s effect on radiation:
Solar: Absorption
Terrestrial: A little absorption in the PBL
What are atmospheric impurities’ effect on the atmosphere:
Solar: scattering
Terrestrial: Absorb and scatter
What is the relationship between the temperature of a substance and the amount of electromagnetic radiation it can emit
The higher the temperature the more radiation it will emit
What are the 2 lower thermal subdivisions of the atmosphere and what is the transition zone that separates them?
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Tropopause
The troposphere contains what % of the total weight of the atmosphere?
75%
What is the average altitude of the troposphere?
11km
What interaction does the stratosphere have with the troposphere?
It acts as a giant lid on the overturning of the tropopause
what are 4 characteristics of the stratosphere?
- minute amounts of water vapor
- solid particles are rarely found there
- there are few clouds and no precipitation
- Most of the ozone is located there
What 2 rare phenomena take place in the thermosphere?
Aurora, and noctilucent clouds
Explain how the absorption of solar radiation by ozone affects the thermal structure of the atmosphere
Ultra violet radiation is transformed into heat during the destruction and creation of ozone. this is why the stratosphere temperature increase with altitude.
state how the troposphere is heated or cooled
The combined effect of terrestrial radiation and conduction causes the PBL to be heated or cooled from below.
Define Albedo
The ratio of radiation reflected by a substance to the radiation striking this substance
List the 7 factors that affect the range of diurnal surface temperature variations
- Angle of incidence
- Albedo
- Length of daylight
- Heat capacity
- Water vapor
- Wind
- Cloud cover
What are the 3 greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide
water vapor
ozone
