MODULE 2.1 Flashcards
the interdisciplinary scientific study of
the atmosphere that focuses on weather processes and short term forecasting.
Meteorology
are observable weather events which illuminate and are explained by the science of meteorology.
Meteorological Phenomena
refers to the gases surrounding a star or
planetary body held in place by gravity.
Atmosphere
COMPOSITIONOF EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE
Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
Argon 0.09%
Carbon Dioxide 0.03%
Trace Substances 0.07%
MOST ABUNDANT COMPONENTS
Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
Argon 0.09%
ABUNDANT COMPONENT
CARBON DIOXIDE
OZONE
ATMOSPHERIC DUST
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
AIR POLLUTION
WATER VAPOR
TRACE SUBSTANCES
NEON
HELIUM
METHANE
WATER VAPOR
KRYPTON
HYDROGEN
XENON
STRUCTURE OF EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE
TROPOSPHERE
STRATOSPHERE
MESOSPHERE
THERMOSPHERE
EXOSPHERE
the lowest layer and closest to the Earth’s surface.
- contains approximately 75% of the Earth’s
atmosphere.
- about 99% of the total atmospheric water vapors
and aerosols are present.
0-12.18 KM THICKNESS
WEATHER ACTIVITIES
GREEN HOUSE GASSES
TROPOSPHERE
is found to be the high-temperature region and the temperature decreases along with increased altitude.
6.5 degrees per km
TROPOSPHERE
the outer membrane of the troposphere is the
tropopause
the second layer of the Earth’s atmosphere.
- the significance of this region is the presence of an ozone layer.
- the temperature increases along with an increase in altitude.
0 degrees
atmospheric condition is stable
STRATOSPHERE
the outermost region is known
stratopause
the coldest region of the Earth’s atmosphere a few weather conditions like a particular type of cloud that is polar mesospheric noctilucent clouds formed here.
also known for the destructive region for meteors.
85 degrees
MESOSPHERE
the outermost region is known
mesopause
LOW DENSITY OF AIR
TROPOSPHERE EXPANSION
HIGH DENSITY OF AIR
TROPOSPHERE CONTRACTION
the height of the thermosphere varies due to increased solar activities.
- Temperature may reach 1500°C, yet, due to the least number of atoms, the heat energy remains low.
- auroras are also seen in this sphere.
hydrogen and helium ions are present in the outer layer of this sphere
international space station
400 km - 1000 km thickness
THERMOSPHERE
the outermost layer of the atmosphere that directly connects with space.
- atoms and molecules present in this region move extremely fast.
- a very thin layer of air is present in the exosphere.
EXOSPHERE
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
-is the condition of the atmosphere in one
place during a short period of time.
Weather
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
is the weather pattern typical for an area over a long period of time.
Climate
is the ability of the atmosphere
to retain its position.
UNSTABLE , STABLE, NEUTRAL
Atmospheric Stability
NEAR AT THE ATMOSPHERE
LESS DENSE
THUNDER STORM
RISING
VERTICAL MOTION OF AIR PARCEL IS ENCOURAGED
UNSTABLE
SINKING
RESIST THE RISING OF AIR PARCEL
TEMPERATURE DECREASE
COLD OR HOT
STABLE
AIR PARCEL MAY RISE OR SINK
STAY THE SAME
NEUTRAL
refers to a volume of air, large enough to
contain a great number of molecules, but small enough so that energy (heat) and mass (air molecules) are nearly constant within its boundaries.
AIR PARCEL
WHEN AIR PARCEL RISE IT ___________ AND ___
EXPAND AND COOLING
HEN AIR PARCEL SINKING IT ___________ AND ___
COMPRESS OR HEAT
no exchange of energy with the
outside environment.
Adiabatic
The rate of temperature decrease of the rising dry air parcel, it is usually 9.8 degrees centigrade per km.
Dry condensed less when going up and latent heat of evaporation is less compared to normal lapse rate, hence temperature decrease is more with altitude.
DRY ADIABATIC LAPSE RATE
The global average tropospheric lapse rate is 6.5 K ∙ km−1 , which is stable for dry lifting.
In general for a dry air parcel, the following is true.
Γd = Γenv
Γd < Γenv
Γd > Γenv
DRY STABILITY
The rate of temperature decrease of the rising humid air parcel, it is usually 4.5 degrees centigrade per km.
The latent heat of evaporation is released more when air goes up, hence temperature decrease is less of rising air and creates instability.
MOIST ADIABATIC LAPSE RATE
if the environmental lapse rate is
less than the moist adiabatic lapse rate.
Absolutely Stable
if the environmental lapse rate is
greater than the dry adiabatic lapse rate.
Absolutely Unstable
if the environmental lapse rate is between the moist and dry adiabatic lapse rates.
Conditionally Unstable
VARIABLES INFLUENCING THE ATMPOSPHERE
TEMPERATURE
HUMIDITY
PRESSURE
CLOUDINESS
WINDS
INSTRUMENTS
THERMOMETER
HYGROMETER
BAROMETER
ANEMOMETER
WIND VANE
is an instrument used to measure the air temperature.
The temperature can be measured in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
thermometer
When the temperature increases, the mercury increases. When the temperature decreases, the mercury in the thermometer falls.
thermometer
is an instrument used to measure the humidity of the air.
A common way this device works is by
using the materials that attracts moisture.
This material changes depending on how
dehydrated it is. Also, it has two bulbs:
one wet and one dry.
HYGROMETER
is an instrument used to measure air pressure.
Meteorologists can determine whether
the air pressure is rising or falling
This data can then be used to predict specific weather conditions. High pressure is an indication of good weather, while low pressure indicates stormy weather.
BAROMETER
is an instrument used to measure wind speed.
anemometer
is an instrument used to
determine the direction from which
air is moving.
It is usually mounted to the highest
peak on the roof.
WIND VANE
are often combined into one instrument
to gather information about moving air.
anemometer and a wind vane
