The Atmopshere

Question 1

Define troposphere and characteristics of it

Answer 1

Lowest layer of atmosphere

• average of 36,090 feet. Temp and pressure decrease with height. Has almost all aerosols and water Vapour

Question 2

Define tropopause and characteristics

Answer 2

Boundary between troposphere and stratosphere.

Higher over equator. Lower over poles and higher in summer and lower in winter. Higher during day and lower at night.

Question 3

Define stratosphere and characteristics

Answer 3

Air is stable.

Usually devoid of cloud and is where the ozone is. Temperature slightly increases with height or is isothermal

Question 4

Explain how surface pressure changes height of tropopause.

Answer 4

Pressure increase = tropopause height increase

Pressure decrease = height of tropopause decrease

Question 5

Explain how temperature changes height of tropopause

Answer 5

Temperature increase = height of tropopause increase

Temperature decrease = height of tropopause decrease

Question 6

State average height and temp of tropopause at equator

Answer 6

56,000ft

-75ºC

Question 7

State average temp and height of tropopause at poles

Answer 7

26,000ft

-45ºC

Question 8

State average height and temp of tropopause at mid latitudes

Answer 8

36,090ft

-56.5ºC

Question 9

Explain the sources of aerosols within the atmopshere

Answer 9

Tiny solid particles
Salt from ocean spray
Smoke and dusty
Volcanic ash

Question 10

Explain the effect of aerosols in atmosphere

Answer 10

Allow Vapour to change to liquid or solid (condensation nuclei/freezing)

Reduce visibility if too much

Question 11

Explain the importance of aerosols within the atmosphere

Answer 11

Cloud wouldn’t form. Absence of them increases danger of aircraft icing and air becomes super saturated with no aerosols around.

Question 12

Describe the effect of increasing height and/or latitude on water vapour and aerosol content within the atmopshere.

Answer 12

Source of water vapour and aerosols are at the surface. Both would decrease with height and hardly any of both above the troposphere.

Question 13

Explain the effects on temperature within the atmosphere due to WATER VAPOUR

Answer 13

Absorbs solar and terrestrial radiation and warms the atmosphere

Question 14

Explain the effects on temperature within the atmosphere due to CARBON DIOXIDE

Answer 14

Absorbs terrestrial radiation but not solar radiation but warms the atmosphere

Question 15

Explain the effects on temperature within the atmosphere due to OZONE

Answer 15

Absorbs UV light. Warms the area its located in the stratosphere and creates an inversion acting as a weather lid on the troposphere.