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Weather > Exam 1 > Flashcards

Exam 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of weather? Give one example of how it can influence daily life.

A

Weather is the state of the atmosphere at some SPECIFIC place and time. Ex: How to dress or bring an umbrella

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2
Q

What is the definition of climate? Give an example of how people mistake weather events for global warming changes.

A

Climate is an average of weather, computed over (30) years and updated every decade

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3
Q

List 5 measurements that describe the state of the atmosphere at any given time:

A

Temperature, dew point, humidity, wind speed, wind direction (think weather map symbols)

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4
Q

What are the two necessary ingredients for weather?

A
  1. Atmosphere, 2. Energy source
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5
Q

Weather on the moon?

A

No- no (minimal) atmosphere

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6
Q

Draw beam spreading

A

Think light and rice experiment - Draw sun at angle vs sun directly over rice
Due to the tilt of the earth, the energy resulted at the center of the earth is more intense. Thus, the earth gets a temperature gradiant (temp vs distance) due to the tilt of the earth.

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7
Q

What are two reasons why there is unequal heating at different latitudes on the Earth’s surface? What is its effect at the Earth’s surface?

A

Oceans move the air/energy. Ex: England is warmer than here even though it’s much norther than us due to the warm ocean water currents.

Circulation

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8
Q

Explain why the polar regions of the earth are not getting colder and the Tropical regions are not getting warmer.

A

Heating spreads from the equator to the poles. This is due to the Earth wanting reach equilibrium in atmospheric temperature. So, regions don’t have runaway effects in temperature.

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9
Q

What are two methods of heat energy transport from the Equator to Poles? (Include names and percentages)

A

60% from atmosphere

40% from oceans

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10
Q

Draw the Rotating Dish Experiment and Label Parts. What two weather patterns does it illustrate?

A

(Rossby waves) jet stream - outer ring of

Rotating eddies are the various low and high pressure systems

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11
Q

What is the Polar Jet Stream? What are the two types of Rossby wave undulations called and what air temperature is associated with each ?

A

Boundary of swiftly flowing area 30,000 ft above the earth. It is a loft.
Rossby waves - long wave and short wave. Short wave brings bad weather

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12
Q

What are two ways that the Jet Stream influences the weather

A

The Jet Stream, separating warm and cold air, causes temperature change in regions. Plus, the Jet Stream with its strong winds can help carry storms.

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13
Q

Which direction does the air rotate in Highs and Low Pressure in the Northern Hemisphere? What type of weather is associated with each of these pressure systems

A

High pressure, more weight above us = Air rotates clockwise (anti-cyclone). Good weather
Low pressure, less weight = Air rotates counter-clockwise (cyclone). Stormy weather

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14
Q

What are two weather changes are due to Pressure differences on the surface?

A

Pressure changes cause wind. Pressure lines close together = high wind
Low pressure has to rise up and diverge (RECC) and creates clouds to lead to rain
SCWE occurs with high pressure. It sinks

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15
Q

What is an Air Mass? What is it called and what type of weather is associate with two air masses converge?

A

Huge volume of air covering hundreds/thousands of square km. BIG masses of air. Winds blow air masses into different areas.
This results in a weather front. Weather front- boundary between warm/cold air masses. They don’t mix. Hot air rises over the cold air. Cold air sinks under the hot air.
Storms/Rain

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16
Q

What is the butterfly effect? How can it be accounted for when using weather models

A

Weather systems are chaotic. One small change can cause a change in the weather. To account for this, take averages (ensembles).

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17
Q

What are three sources of weather data collection?

A 
Surface Observations 
Upper Air Observations
Remote Sensing Observations
	-Weather Satellites
	-Radar
Weather Buoys
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18
Q

How are Upper Air Observations made in the Atmosphere (give name of instrument)? How often are the observation made?

A

Radiosondes (weather balloons). They are made twice daily.

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19
Q

What is Remote Sensing? What are two type of instruments that employ this technique for monitoring the atmosphere?

A

Measurement of environmental conditions by processing signals (Measuring from a distance). Radar and satellites do this. Radars send pulses of energy into the atmosphere and part of the energy gets reflected back. These return signals are called radar echoes.

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20
Q

hat are the Acronyms for the two types of Weather Satellites used for monitoring the atmosphere? What is the difference between them?

A

GOES and POES
GOES- Orbits planet at same rate as Earth’s rotation in same direction. E.g. send it above Philadelphia and stares at it all day by moving at same speed as Earth.
POES- Provides overlapping north south strips of images. Passes over the same point twice every 24 hrs.

21
Q

What are three types of images from Weather Satellites?

A

Visible, infrared, water vapor

22
Q

Explain how a change in equilibrium can result in global warming. Include the name of the substance.

A

Carbon dioxide causes static equilibrium rising. the earth is active

23
Q

Explain how weather is a result of a disturbance in the atmosphere

A

Equilibrium (elaborate)

24
Q

What is the Law of Conservation of Energy? Give an example

A

Energy cannot be created or destroyed. Can only be transformed. e.g. Wind mills or solar panels

25
Q

Explain the concept of Mass Balance using a circulation in the atmosphere.

A

Mass balance is a principle that in a continuous fluid, one can not empty out a region from its mass. e.g. a finger over the end of a hose. Mass in the atmosphere has to be maintained and reach equilibrium.

26
Q

Explain how a low pressure at the surface results in convergence.

A

In a low pressure surface, air converges and rises. As this air rises, something else tries to add mass to make it up. I.e. sea breezes as air moves offshore.

27
Q

What is vorticity in the atmosphere. Give one example

A

Any time there is a change in direction in the upper atmosphere, there is vorticity (spin) see pic.

28
Q

List three properties of the atmosphere that show it exhibits fluid-like behavior?

A

Buoyancy, Convection, Pressure varies with depth

29
Q

What are three types of circulation in the atmosphere

A

El Nino, Gyres, Monsoons, Sea and Land breezes

30
Q

What are three things that may occur in the atmosphere as moist air gets cooler

A

Dew, fog, clouds

31
Q

What does the acronym RECC stand for? Provide a sketch.

A

Rise, expand, cool, condense

32
Q

Explain how a suction cup works? Draw a sketch and provide labels of relevant parameters. Why does wetting the edge help for longer time sticking to surface?

A

There is a larger force on the outside of the suction cup exerting upon it. Wetting the edge helps make a better seal.

33
Q

In class I demonstrated filling a cup with water and turning it upside down with a 3x5 card. Sketch and explain.

A

Patm > Pwater. The pressure due to the weight of water is less than the atmospheric pressure.

34
Q

What is the definition of Wind? What causes the wind to blow?

A

Wind is movement of air horizontally. Wind blows due to a relocation of air caused by a pressure gradient force (PGF).

35
Q

What are lines of constant pressure shown on a weather map called? How many Millibar (mb) is typical between these lines?

A

Isobars. 4-mb intervals.

36
Q

What is a typical value of the pressure gradient on a calm day?

A

3 mb/125 miles

37
Q

On one a weather map shows a H and lists the pressure as 1012 mb, on another day this same pressure is listed as a low. Explain

A

There is no fixed scale on what is a higher or low pressure. It depends on what is around it. I.e. Jim is 5’ 8” and is tall in comparison to a 1st grade class, but short in comparison to his 6’ adults friends.

38
Q

What are three equivalent measures of 1 atmosphere?

A

1 atmosphere = 1013 hpa, 1013 mb, or 30 inches of Mercury

39
Q

Sketch the change in pressure with height in the atmosphere. Give a brief explanation of the shape.

A

Exponential curve - pressure decreases with height

40
Q

What is the standard temperature at sea level? What is the altitude and temperature at 850 mb and 500 mb for a standard atmosphere?

A

Standard temperature = 15 degrees C.
850mb = 1.5km. 5 degrees C
500mb = 5.5km. -20 degrees C

41
Q

If there is a Pressure gradient in the Vertical why doesn’t air blow upward at high speed?

A

Upward Pressure Gradient Force is balanced by the downward Gravitational Force (hydrostatic equilibrium)

42
Q

At what height (give answer in Millibars) in the Atmosphere is Vertical Velocity measured. Besides ascending air (negative vertical velocity) what other atmospheric property is required for precipitation to occur?

A

700mb level.

RECC

43
Q

Sketch a barometer and indicate the height at 1 atm. Explain how it reaches an equilibrium height.

A

Equilibrium is reached due to Patm (pointing up) and Pmercury weight (pointing down) (as liquid rises) meeting at equal levels.

44
Q

What are three causes of Surface Pressure change?

A
  1. Add/Subtract mass to column of air
  2. Change in density (change in moisture)
  3. Push air: Upward (lift) / Downward (Subsidence)
45
Q

Draw a sketch of the egg in the bottle experiment. How does the egg get into the bottle? How does it get out of the bottle? (Explain using pressure)

A

The egg gets in the bottle by decreasing the mass in the bottle through fire. This creates a lower pressure inside the bottle. Atmospheric pressure then pushes the egg inside the bottle. It gets out of the bottle by increasing pressure in the bottle by blowing air inside the bottle to push the egg out.

46
Q

Draw a sketch of how the upper atmosphere can influence weather conditions at the Surface

A

See drawing

47
Q

Why does an advancing cold front lower the air pressure?

A

Cold Fronts force the warmer air to rise. This causes the surface pressure to decrease near the front since the fronts don’t mix. Cold air sinks, warm air rises.

48
Q

Where are two locations where low pressures can form

A

1) Gulf of Mexico

2) Eastern side of high mountain ranges

Weather (2 decks)

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