Exam 1 Flashcards
Definition of Weather
Current state of the atmosphere
Definition of Climate
The collective state for he earth’s atmosphere over a long period of time
Definition of Meteorology
the study of the earth’s atmosphere
Definition of Atmosphere
the layer of hases that make up the worlds atmosphere
Wind direction is the direction _______.
the wind blows from
Wind speed is based on a ________.
2 minute average
Surface maps are updated every ________.
3 hours
Hydrosphere
oceans, water
lithosphere
land portion
biosphere
living portion
atmosphere
a mixture of many different gases
List of Permanent gases
Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Neon
Permanent gases make up ______% by volume.
98%
Nitrogen is the ___________ permanent gas.
most abundant
Variable gases (greenhouse gases) make up ______% by volume
2%
________ is the most variable gas in the atmosphere
Water Vapor (0%-4%)
List of Variable Gases
water vapor, methane, ozone, aerosols, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, CFC’s
How did oxygen form?
UV radiation through chemical reactions produced some oxygen. Photosynthesis finished the job.
Layers of the atmosphere (from highest to lowest)
TMST
1) thermosphere
2) mesosphere
3) Stratosphere
4) Troposphere
Solar radiation is _______.
short wave radiation
Terrestrial Radiation is ________
Long wave radiation
When is the Vernal Equinox? (Spring)
March 21st
When is the summer Solstice?
June 21st
When is the Autumnal Equinox?
September 21st
When is the Winter Solstice?
December 21st
amount of solar radiation scattered and reflected by clouds
20%
Amount of solar radiation absorbed by Earth
51%
Amount of solar radiation scattered from atmosphere
6%
Amount of solar radiation absorbed by atmosphere and clouds
19%
amount of solar radiation reflected by surface
4%
Conduction transfers heat ______
horizontally
Convection transfers heat
vertically
Advection definition
The transfer of a property of the atmosphere, such as heat, cold, or humidity, by the horizontal movement of an air mass
scattering causes the sky ______
to appear blue
Albedo definition
Total fraction of total radiation that is reflected by a given surface
Albedo fraction of freshly fallen snow
80%-85%
Albedo fraction of thick clouds
70%-80%
Albedo fraction of Water (low sun angle)
50%-80%
Albedo fraction of old “dirty” snow
50%-60%
Albedo fraction of thin clouds
20%-50%
Albedo fraction of sand surfaces
20%-30%
Albedo fraction of green grassy area
20%-25%
Albedo Fraction of Dry earth
15%-25%
Atmospheric “Greenhouse” effect Definition
the relatively easy transmission of shortwave solar radiation by the atmosphere coupled with the selective absorption of long wave terrestrial radiation
“black body” object definition
a perfect absorber/emitter
