Introduction and structure of the atmosphere Flashcards
Define weather
state of the atmosphere on a local level over a short time scale, it is concerned with factors inc temp, amount go cloud cover etc
What is climate
Average atmospheric conditions over much longer time and a wider area; defined as average weather conditions over 30 years
Name in order the layers in the atmosphere
Troposphere, Tropopause, Stratosphere, stratopause, mesosphere, mesopause, thermosphere
Describe what happens in the troposphere
Zone of weather and climate with the highest temperature because as solar radiation warms the earth, the surface warms air by conduction, convection and radiation
How does temp change with height in the troposphere
Temp decreases with height with a larpse rate of 6.4 degrees per 1000m
What happens with wind in troposphere
Wind decreases with height as frictional drag from surface decreases
Is troposhere stable or unstable
unstable because vapour and particulates are present
What is a pause
isothermal layer where temp remains constant with height,
the tropopause marks the boundary of weather
What happens to temp in the stratosphere
Steady increase with height due to absorption of solar radiation by ozone, which also absorbs harmful UV radiation
What happens to the thickness of the atmosphere in the stratosphere
It thins due to decreasing pressure with height due to lack of vapour and dust
What happens to wind speed in stratopshere
deceases with height
What happens to temp in the mesosphere
Rapid decrease with height from -20 to -90 as no vapour of dust to absorb solar radiation
What happens to winds in the mesosphere
strong winds of unto 3000km/hr
What happens to temp in thermosphere
Increase with height due to absorption of UV radiation by atomic oxygen from -90 to -40 in
