Temp And Moisture Flashcards
What is temp
Measure of kinetic energy of particles in an object
Kelvin
0° is no energy
0° C is 273°k
Solar radiation
10% UV
45% Vis (visible)
45% IR (infrared)
Mostly short wave lengths .4-.5. Micro meters
Controls seasons and temp
Terrestrial radiation
Emitted by earth and its atmosphere
Absorbed by CO2 water vapour and ozone
Very little escapes atmosphere
Primarily long wavelengths which carry less energy
Coldest warmest parts of day and factors
Warmest around 2 pm
Coldest after sunrise
Factors
Latitude
Season
Cloud cover
Wind direction and strength
Coastal or inland location
Surface type
Specific heat
Amount of heat per unit of mass required to raise temp by one degree Celsius
Albedo
Percent of solar radiation reflected (snow 80% forest 5%)
Solar insolation
Amount of solar a radiation reching earths surface
Noon is strongest
Conduction
Heat transfer through touch
Convection
Heat transfer through vertical movement of particles
Advection
Horizontal heat transfer through wind
Humidity
Water in the air
Dew point
Temp at which air will saturate
Indicates moisture in the air
Warmer dew point means greater RH
Closer temps and dew point indicates lower cloud
Saturation
100% RH
Maximum water content air can hold
Relative humidity
Water vapour in air/water vapour capacity at given temp x 100/1
Latent heat
Energy required or dispersed to change state maintaining temp
Condensation
Vapour to liquid
Typically through cooling
Surface required (or hygroscopic nuclei)
Evaporation
Liquid to gas through heating
Air has total pressure water vapour is partial pressure
Factors
Temp (warmer more Evap due to more energy)
Water content (dry air accepts more water)
Wind (more mixing means more evaporation)
Pressure (less pressure more water vapour)
