Temperature Flashcards
What units of measurement do we use?
C = degrees celcius K = Kelvin (C + 273.15) (absolute zero = 0 K = -273.15 C) F = Degrees Fahrenheit (used in the USA) (273K = 0C = 59F)
How do we convert between C and F?
C to F = (C x 1.8) + 32
F to C = (C - 32) / 1.8
What is the rate of temperature decrease with altitude?
- 98C/1000ft (2C)
0. 65C/100m
What is insolation?
Amount of energy per unit area.
Due to the curvature of the earth, the suns energy is very concentrated at the equator and much more spread out at higher latitudes.
What is Diurnal variation?
The change in the earths surface temperature over a 24 hour period.
Caused by incoming solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial radiation.
temp increases upto 60 mins after sunrise. max temp around 1400/1500.
What factors can affect diurnal variation?
The actual surface (earth, water, rock etc)
The seasons - higher variation in summer.
Cloud cover - radiation is reflected.
Wind - non laminar flow near surface. Air mixes.
What is the average level of the tropopause in equatroial regions? and at the poles?
equatorial = 54,000 (so -80c) Poles = 20,000 (surface temp is -10 so -50c)
define short wave radiation
Solar energy heating the earth
define long wave radiation
The terrestrial radiation. (keeps earths temperature consistent and is key factor to warming of earth)
What are the methods of transferring heat from the earth to the air?
conduction - physical contact
convetion - rising air currents
radiation - LWR and SWR
Latent heat release - evaporation = energy absorbed
- condensation = energy released
What is a surface inversion?
if LWR exceeds SWR (for example during winter), the surface temperature can actually be lower at the ground than in the air. Thus as we gain altitute it will get warmer.
factors include: light or no winds, winter, cloudless night
