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MET > Introduction > Flashcards

Introduction Flashcards

1
Q

How thick is earth’s atmosphere?

A

About 480 km thick

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2
Q

Where is most of the atmosphere located?

A

Within 16 km of the surface

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3
Q

What is the composition of air?

A

78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 0,93% Argon, 0.04% CO2 and trace amounts of other elements.

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4
Q

Density of air depends on what three factors?

A

Air temp, pressure and amount of water vapour in the air.

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5
Q

True of False?

Air pressure and density increase with height.

A

False, they decrease with height.

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6
Q

Warm air takes up _____ space and will have _____ density than cold air.

A

More & less

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7
Q

What effect do water molecules regarding pressure have when added to dry air? Why?

A

There is a decrease in pressure because one molecule of water weighs less than one molecule of air.

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8
Q

Define ceiling

A

Base of a low cloud deck which covers more than half of the sky.

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9
Q

What are some examples of precipitation?

A

Rain, snow, drizzle, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, hail, snow grains and ice pellets.

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10
Q

What are some examples of obstructions to visibility?

A

FG, BR, BLSN, BLSA, dust, blowing dust, FU, haze.

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11
Q

What is the lowest part of the atmosphere called?

A

The boundary layer

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12
Q

How thick is the boundary layer?

A

3000’ or 1000m

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13
Q

What are three characteristics of the boundary layer?

A

Wind increases with height
Vertical currents occur due to friction of wind with earth’s surface; and
Turbulent due to eddies in the wind flow caused by overturning air.

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14
Q

When is the boundary layer deeper/ shallower?

A

Deeper in the summer and during day. Shallower in the winter and at night.

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15
Q

Moisture in the atmosphere is mainly due to what?

A

Evaporation from oceans and lakes.

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16
Q

True or False?

Clouds form when water vapour change to liquid water droplets or ice crystals.

A

True

17
Q

The warmer the air, the more _____ the air can hold.

A

Moisture

18
Q

When water enters a more excited state, it _____ heat.

A

Absorbs

19
Q

What is “Dew Point”?

A

A measure of how much water vapour is in the air.

20
Q

What is the significance of a high Td?

A

The more moisture in the air, the more precipitation out and a greater release of latent heat.

21
Q

What is relative humidity?

A

An indication of the amount of water vapour in the air vs how much water vapour the air can hold.

22
Q

True of False?

High RH is related to cloud and fog formation.

A

True

23
Q

Explain Conduction

A

It is the transfer of heat by direct physical contact.

Heat flows from high temperature regions to low temperature regions.

24
Q

Explain Convection

A

Transfer of heat by the motion of a fluid
Heat flow from low to high density region.
Faster than conduction

25
Q

Explain Radiation

A

Transfer of heat by EM waves.
Does not heat intervening medium.
Takes place at large distances.

26
Q

Briefly explain radiation heating.

A

Solar radiation warms up ground, air surrounding the ground is heated via conduction then causes convection.
Air then rises, moving the heat upwards,

27
Q

Atmospheric cooling is important for two reasons, what are they?

A

It increases the density of the air and when moist air cools it creates clouds, fog and precipitation in the lower levels.

28
Q

True or False?

Warmer, moist air moving over a cooler surface may cause fog?

A

True

29
Q

Explain expansion cooling

A

As air rises, it encounters less pressure, causing it to expand and cool.

30
Q

What is the difference between stable and unstable situations?

A

Stable air resists vertical currents, unstable air promotes them.

31
Q

What are soem unstable air characteristics?

A

Cumuliform clouds, showery precipitation, rough air (TURB) and good visibility except in blowing obstructions.

32
Q

What are some stable characteristics?

A

Stratiform clouds, continuous precipitation, smooth air and fair to poor visibility in haze and smoke.

33
Q

Which type of air has convective clouds and possibly thudnerstorms?

A

Unstable air

34
Q

Which type of air has layered clouds and continuous precipiation?

A

Stable air

MET (23 decks)

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