Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

GS281 - Meteorology > Lesson 1 - The Atmosphere > Flashcards

Lesson 1 - The Atmosphere Flashcards

1
Q

The atmosphere is a mixture of gases, but it also includes other non-gaseous substances. Such as?

A

Droplets of water, particles of smoke, dust and ash.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Up to a height of 60km the atmosphere remains very?

A

Constant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

The approximate composition of ‘dry air’ by volume is…

A

Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
Other Gases 1%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

The other 1% of gases of ‘dry air’ could be…

A

Argon
Carbon Dioxide
Hydrogen
Carbon Monoxide
Helium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Carbon Dioxide although present in relatively low proportions has a significant effect on the global climate because…

A

It strongly absorbs long wave terrestrial radiation thereby acting as a heat source in the atmosphere.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Ozone plays a significant role by…

A

Absorbing short wave solar radiation, which acts as a heat source on the atmosphere.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Water Vapour comprises of which atoms?

A

Two atoms of Hydrogen
One atom of Oxygen
‘H2O’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

When water vapour condenses into a liquid it creates weather phenomena such as..

A

Clouds and Rain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

In lower atmosphere water vapour can comprise up to…

A

4% of the total volume.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Pressure and density decrease with…

A

Increasing altitude through all layers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Starting from the surface and going upwards, the atmosphere is divided into four main layers….

A

Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

The boundary layer between each atmosphere layer is known as a?

A

Pause

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

In the Troposphere the temperature decreases at about..

A

2’C per 1000ft (1.98’c to be exact)

Known as the lapse rate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

About 75% of the mass of air and almost all water vapour is contained in the…

A

Troposphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Most of the visible weather phenomena take place in the…

A

Troposphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

The Troposphere on average is how thick?

A

36,090ft (or 11km) above mean sea level (AMSL)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

The upper limit of the Troposhere is defined by

A

An abrupt change in the lapse rate.

18
Q

The boundary layer between the troposphere and the stratosphere is called

A

The Tropopause

19
Q

Temperature is fixed above the Tropopause at what ISA temperature?

A

-56.5’C (ISA)

20
Q

Over the poles the Tropopause is relatively low, but over the equator it is higher. Why?

A

Because the height of the Tropopause is determined by the temperature of the air in the Troposphere near the surface. ie The warmer the air the higher the Tropopause, the colder the air the Lower. Think of it like expansion.

21
Q

Tropopause Folds (or breaks) cause abrupt changes in the height of the Tropopause. They occur because of…

A

the large temperature difference between air masses, the place where fast moving upper air currents (jet streams) are found.

22
Q

Temperature decreases with height upto the…

A

Tropopause

23
Q

The coldest temperature occurs at the highest….

A

Tropopause

24
Q

At Sea Level ISA temperature is….

A

15’C

25
Q

ISA stands for…

A

International Standard Atmosphere

26
Q

In the Stratosphere temperature is constant to approx…

A

65,000ft

27
Q

The Stratosphere is generally a good place to fly due to…

A
  • Cloud formation is rare (lack of water vapour and vertical air movement)
  • Above hazards of the Troposphere (weather phenomena)

Note: Turbulence is still possible

28
Q

The Ozone layer is generally found at what height?

A

82,000ft or 25km

29
Q

Temperature is constant in the Stratosphere to what height?

A

Approximately 65,600ft (or 20km)

30
Q

The temperature rises steadily in the Stratosphere to above 0’C. This is due to?

A

The Ozone layer absorbing the suns harmful Ultraviolet Light (UV)

31
Q

Without gravity the atmosphere would…

A

Float off into space.

It becomes an atmospheric pressure by gravity acting on the air mass pulling it down to earth.

32
Q

In ISA at Mean Sea Level (MSL), temperature is

A

+15’C

33
Q

In ISA at Mean Sea Level (MSL), temperature lapse rate is

A

1.98’C per 1000ft (2’C for calculations)

Or 0.65’C per 100m

34
Q

In ISA at Mean Sea Level (MSL), pressure is

A

1013.25 hPa

or 28.92 InHg

35
Q

In ISA at Mean Sea Level (MSL), density is

A

1.225 Kg/m^3

36
Q

Near the surface assume 1hPa for every “?” of height.

A

30ft

37
Q

At 18,000ft (half way to the top of the Troposphere) assume 1hPa for every ”?” of height.

A

48ft

38
Q

At 22,000ft, ISA Density is approximately ”?” compares to AMSL

A

50%

39
Q

At 40,000ft, ISA Density is approximately ”?” compares to AMSL

A

25%

40
Q

The lapse rate within and between layers is not….

A

Constant and Uniform

GS281 - Meteorology (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions