LAB 3

Question 1

atmosphere

Answer 1

consists of a zone of gas molecules that surrounds the earth

Question 2

troposphere

Answer 2

lowest atmospheric layer - varies between 5-10 miles - boarders earths surface

Question 3

components of variable mixture

Answer 3

most abundant - water vapor (gaseous water) and very small airborne solids known as particulates

Question 4

top four gases in the atmosphere

Answer 4

nitrogen, oxygen, argon, co2

Question 5

any object w temperature (ex molecular motion) emits…

Answer 5

electromagnetic radiation

Question 6

examples of short wavelength radiation…

Answer 6

X-rays, ultraviolet radiation, visible light

Question 7

examples of long wavelength radiation…

Answer 7

thermal infrared (heat) and microwaves

Question 8

(def.) ground radiation

Answer 8

primary source of heat in the troposphere

Question 9

(def.) environmental lapse rate

Answer 9

atmospheric temp decreases with increasing altitude above the Earth’s surface at a constant rate

Question 10

(def.) normal environmental lapse rate)

Answer 10

cooling of 3.5ºF per 1000ft

Question 11

(def.) temperature inversion

Answer 11

colder air below and warmer air above represents a condition known as an inversion of the normal environmental lapse rate

Question 12

(def.) conduction

Answer 12

draws heat from

Question 13

(def.) contientality

Answer 13

the effect of a large expanse of land on temperature trends

Question 14

(def.) marine influence

Answer 14

a place so near the ocean that its atmospheric conditions are affected by the water

Question 15

(def.) range

Answer 15

measured values

Question 16

(def.) annual temperature range

Answer 16

diff. between the average temp of the coolest month and the average of the warmest month for one year (or over many years)

Question 17

(def.) atmospheric pressure

Answer 17

weight of the molecules of the atmosphere per unit area on the Earth’s surface

Question 18

(def.) wind

Answer 18

movement of air over Earth’s surface from a region of higher pressure to a region of lower pressure

Question 19

(def.) pressure gradient

Answer 19

the change in atmospheric pressure from one region to another

Question 20

(def.) Coriolis effect

Answer 20

causes wind to be turned (deflected)

Question 21

(def.) pressure cells

Answer 21

where isobars are closed

Question 22

(def.) isobars

Answer 22

lines of equal temperature

Question 23

(def.) anticyclone

Answer 23

where isobars represent higher and higher pressure toward the center of the cell

Question 24

(def.) anticyclonic circulation

Answer 24

deflected outward flow of air from a high pressure cell

Question 25

(def.) cyclonic circulation

Answer 25

deflected inward flow of air to the center of a low pressure cell