Heating and Cooling Flashcards
True or False?
All matter radiates energy in the form of EM waves.
True
The earth is mainly heated by _____ radiation.
Solar
How is the heat distributed throughout the troposphere?
Convection, turbulent mixing, Latent heat, Advection warming and Compression
What is the ELR?
The rate at which temperature decreases when ascending. 2C epr 1000 ft.
Radiation cooling affects the lower ____ of the atmosphere.
4000ft
What is a nocturnal inversion?
A temperature increase with altitude.
The temperature at the top of an inversion can be how much warmer than the surface?
15 - 20C warmer around 1000 ft.
Where is a nocturnal inversion particularly strong?
Valleys where cold air becomes trapped.
Wind, clouds and martime effects do what to an inversion?
Weaken it
Explain DALR
It is a lapse rate for dry air, about 3C per 1000 ft.
Explain the SALR
If air rises and cools to dew point, it becomes saturated. During condensation latent heat is reduced and slows rate of cooling.
When saturated air descends, RH drops and air warms at DALR.
About 1.5C per 1000ft
What lifting mechanisms cause expansion cooling?
Orographic/ upslope lift Mechanical turbulence Convection Frontal lift Low level convergence
What is advection?
A change in T in an air mass resulting from contact with a surface.
Explain Advection cooling
When water cools from conduction from below
Explain Advection warming
When water is warmer than land, the water heats from below.
