Meteorology test vocab Flashcards
movement of energy in the form of waves; travels through all directions **does not require medium
Radiation
trapping of the suns energy by the earth
THIS IS A NATURAL PROCESS
Greenhouse effect
average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules in a particular substance
Temperature
the energy transferred from one object to another because of a difference in their temperatures
Heat
when light bounces off an object
Reflection
heat transfer where 2 objects are in direct contact **requires medium
Conduction
heat transfer where 2 objects aren’t in direct contact **requires medium
Convection
produces larger # of weaker rays that travel in different directions
Scattering
lines on a map that connect places of equal temperature
Isotherm
the fraction of total radiation that is reflected by any surface
Albedo
water that falls from the atmosphere to Earth
Precipitation
solid —> gas (skip liquid); up in Energy
Sublimation
gas—> solid (skip liquid); down in Energy OPPOSITE OF SUBLIMATION
Deposition
amount of water vapor in the air
Humidity
% of moisture air can hold
Relative humidity
the temperature at which water vapor condensates @ which evaporates
Dew point
suspended particles that provide the necessary surfaces for cloud forming condensation
Condensation nuclei
piled thick fluffy masses “piles” that produce good weather; low clouds
Cumulus
thin and wispy high clouds made up of ice crystals, mean good weather
Cirrus
low sheets, covering, produce rain (medium height)
Stratus
the state of the given atmosphere at a given time/ place (short term condition of the atmosphere)
Weather
observations of weather over a long period of time (long term like 30 yrs average of weather conditions/ extremes)
Climate
blanket of gas surrounding Earth
Atmosphere
layer that filters most UV radiation and all of the sun’s UV rays
Ozone
horizontal air movement
Layers
vertical air movement
Piles
fine drops.. less than .5mm in diameter
Drizzle
larger drops.. .5mm–> 5mm diameter
Rain
falls in clumps of 6-sided crystals
Snow
acid drops that fall to ground
Acid Precipitation
measures relative humidity
Psychrometer
large clouds that grow up and produce very large thunderstorms
Cumulonimubus
instrument used to measure temperature
Thermometer
2nd layer in the atmosphere, temp increases as you get closer to mesosphere; where ozone layer is; where aircraft fly
Stratosphere
4th layer in atmosphere; temperature increases (2500 degrees C); space shuttles and auroras ; tiny bit of atmosphere
Thermosphere
3rd layer in atmosphere; temp decreases as altitude increases; where meteors burn up;
Mesosphere
closest layer to the surface; temp decreases as altitude increases
Troposphere
5th and farthest layer; atoms escape into space; satellites orbit
Exosphere
June 21/22 the Northern Hemisphere is leaning 23.5 degrees towards the sun, making it the 1st day of SUMMERRRR
Summer Solstice
3 oxygen atoms bonded together (O3 ozone symbol); absorbs 99% of harmful UV rays; result of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s)
Ozone layer
December 21/22 the Northern Hemisphere leans 23.5 degrees away from the sun, first day of WINTERRR
Winter Solstice
September 22/23 is the midway point of the solstices and is the first day of FALLLLL
Autumnal Equinox
March 21/22 the midway point of solstices; first day of Spring(ew)
Spring Equinox
gas–> liquid
Condensation
most important gas in the atmosphere
Water vapor
particles not packed; High Engery; assume both volume and shape of the container
Gas
particles packed together loosely; moderate energy; particles retain volume but assume the shape of the container
Liquid
Particles packed tightly; low Energy; retain shape and volume
Solid
liquid–> solid; down in Energy
Freezing
gas–> liquid; down in Energy
Condensation
solid–> liquid; up in Energy
Melting
liquid–> gas; up in Energy
Evaporation
