MET - The Atmosphere

Question 1

Why is the Stratosphere a good place to fly?

Answer 1

There is no active weather within the stratosphere.

Question 2

How high is the water vapour, and what is the volume of it within our Atmosphere?

Answer 2

Most water vapour is below 1.5km, and it is up to 4% of the Atmosphere’s volume at lower levels.

Question 3

Where is the tropopause located?

Answer 3

It is located at the top of the troposphere.

Question 4

What does it mean when there is a large temperature difference at the Tropopause?

Answer 4

Large temperature differences cause ‘steps’ or ‘folds’ in the Tropopause height.

Question 5

What is the ISA temperature lapse rate in meters?

Answer 5

It decreases by 0.65°C every 100meters.

Question 6

What is the height and temperature of the Equator Tropopause?

Answer 6

The height of the Tropopause in the equator would be 16-18km, and the temperature would be around -75°C since it would take longer for us to reach the top of the Tropopause at the equator.

Question 7

The lower the Tropopause, the ________ it is.

The higher the Tropopause, the _________ it is.

Answer 7

1. Warmer

2. Colder

Question 8

What is the ISA pressure lapse rate?

Answer 8

Decreases by 1hPa every 30feet(9m) and after 18,000feet - you lose 1hPa every 48feet(14m)

Question 9

What is the height and temperature of the Tropopause at the poles?

Answer 9

The height for the Tropopause in the poles is roughly between 8-10km, meaning it is lower than in ISA conditions and also warmer (-40/-50°C) since we would reach the polar Tropopause quicker.

Question 10

What are the seven boundaries of the Atmosphere?

Answer 10

1. Troposphere
2. Tropopause
3. Stratosphere
4. Stratopause
5. Mesosphere
6. Mesopause
7. Thermosphere

Question 11

What is the Dry Air within our Atmosphere made up of? (Including percentages)

Answer 11

Nitrogen - 78%
Oxygen - 21%
Other gases - 1%

Question 12

What can be found near the Tropopause folds/breaks?

Answer 12

Jetstream’s are located within the same area of these folds/breaks.

Question 13

What is the formula to work out the ISA temperature deviation?

Answer 13

ISA = 15 - ((Altitude in ft/1000) x 2)

Question 14

What is the temperature lapse rate in the Troposphere?

Answer 14

The lapse rate is 1.98°C every 1000 feet.

Question 15

What percentage of atmosphere’s mass does the troposphere hold?

Answer 15

Troposphere holds 75% of the atmosphere’s mass.

Question 16

What is Ozone responsible for?

Answer 16

1. It absorbs short-wave (UV) radiation.

2. It is responsible for the temperature increase within the stratosphere.

Question 17

At what angles would you find folds/breaks at the Tropopause?

Answer 17

You would find them around 30° and 60° latitude in both hemispheres.

Question 18

What happens to the temperature once we reach the tropopause?

Answer 18

When at the Tropopause, the temperature no longer decreases with height and so the temperature remains constant.

Question 19

How much distance is the temperature constant within the Stratosphere?

Answer 19

The temperature is constant to approximately 20km(~65,000ft), and then it increases to 0°C.

Question 20

What is the height and temperature for the tropopause, in ISA conditions?

Answer 20

The height for the Tropopause, in ISA conditions, is 36,090ft(~11km) and -56.5°C