Meteorology Definitions

Question 1

Air Gas Distribution

Answer 1

78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 1% Other Gasses

Question 2

Isothermic

Answer 2

Temperature is constant while height increases

Question 3

Temperature

Answer 3

Average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules in a substance

Question 4

Radiosonde

Answer 4

Weather baloon. Floats up to 35km and transmits data every 1.3 seconds. Contains information on temperature, pressure and humidity

Question 5

Insolation

Answer 5

Shortwave radiation from the sun heating the earths surface

Question 6

Diernal

Answer 6

Daily change in temperature

Question 7

Intertropical Convergence Zone

Answer 7

Location of maximum heating

Question 8

Functions of the Ozone Layer

Answer 8

Absorption, Reflection, Scattering

Question 9

Stevenson Screen

Answer 9

Temperature recording device measuring surface temperature and humidity, located 1.2m above ground level

Question 10

Radiation

Answer 10

The transmission of energy

Question 11

Long wave radiation

Answer 11

Cooler object, less intense radiation

Question 12

Short wave radiation

Answer 12

Hotter object, more intense radiation

Question 13

Terrestrial radiation

Answer 13

Radiation emitted from the earths surface

Question 14

Albedo

Answer 14

Surface reflectivity

Question 15

Conduction

Answer 15

Energy transfer through contact

Question 16

Convection

Answer 16

Energy transfer through vertical air movement

Question 17

Advection

Answer 17

Energy tranfer through horizontal air movement

Question 18

Radiation

Answer 18

Energy transfer through emission and absorption of long wave radiation

Question 19

Turbulence

Answer 19

Energy transfer through mixing of air

Question 20

Latent heat

Answer 20

Energy released or absorbed when an element changes state

Question 21

Inversion

Answer 21

Temperature increasing with height

Question 22

Ground inversion - Conduction

Answer 22

Energy released from the earths surface, warming surrounding air

Question 23

Ground Inversion - Advection

Answer 23

Movement of warmer air from the sea over land, sliding under a layer of cool air

Question 24

Valley ivnersion

Answer 24

Conduction warming up air which then slides down a valley, pooling at the bottom

Question 25

Frontal Inversion

Answer 25

Cold front moving over a warm area of air

Question 26

Aloft inversion

Answer 26

Found in subsiding air (anticyclone) compressing the air at the bottom warming it up

Question 27

Windshear

Answer 27

Change in winds speed or direction over a vertical or horizontal axis

Question 28

Pressure

Answer 28

Weight of air molecules above pushing down

Question 29

Aneroid Capsule

Answer 29

Compressible sealed capsule used for measuring air pressure, connected to a series of gears to display on a dial

Question 30

Isobars

Answer 30

Lines that join areas of equal sea level pressure

Question 31

Col

Answer 31

An area found on a surface pressure chart between two high pressure areas, and otherwise surrounded by low pressure

Question 32

Ridge

Answer 32

Extension of a high pressure area. Fair weather

Question 33

Trough

Answer 33

Extension of a low pressure area, cloudy showery weather

Question 34

PGF - Pressure gradient force

Answer 34

Strength pushing air from a high pressure area to a low pressure area

Question 35

QFE

Answer 35

Atmospheric pressure at aerodrome elevation

Question 36

ANH

Answer 36

Atmpspheric pressure at mean sea level assuming ISA condition

Question 37

Density

Answer 37

The mass of the molecules in a given volume

Question 38

Anticyclone

Answer 38

Area of high pressure

Question 39

Depression

Answer 39

Area of low pressure

Question 40

Divergence

Answer 40

Air flow moving away from eachother

Question 41

Convergence

Answer 41

Airflow moving towards eachother