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The Atmosphere Flashcards

1
Q

State the composition of the atmosphere

A

Nitrogen = 78%
Oxygen = 21%
Other gases = 1%

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2
Q

State the pressure lapse rate @ MSL —— per 1 hPa

A

27 ft/hPa

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3
Q

State the pressure lapse rate @ 10,000ft —— per 1 hPa

A

36 ft/hPa

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4
Q

State the pressure lapse rate @ 18,000ft —— per 1 hPa

A

48 ft/hPa

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5
Q

State the pressure lapse rate @ 30,000ft —— per 1 hPa

A

72 ft/hPa

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6
Q

State the significant pressure level @ 53,000ft ISA

A

100 hPa

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7
Q

State the significant pressure level @ 39,000ft ISA

A

200 hPa

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8
Q

State the significant pressure level @ 30,000ft ISA

A

300 hPa

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9
Q

State the significant pressure level @ 18,000ft ISA

A

500 hPa

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10
Q

State the significant pressure level @ 10,000ft ISA

A

700 hPa

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11
Q

State the significant pressure level @ 5,000ft ISA

A

850 hPa

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12
Q

State the MSL pressure —— ISA

A

1013.25 hPa

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13
Q

State the MSL density —— ISA

A

1.225 kg/m(^3)

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14
Q

State the MSL temperature —- ISA

A

+15 degrees Celsius

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15
Q

State the ISA temperature lapse rate up to 36,000ft, per 1000ft

A

-1.98 °C per 1000ft

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16
Q

State the ISA temperature lapse rate up to 36,000ft, per 1000m

A

6.5°C per 1000m

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17
Q

State the ISA temperature deviation equation

A

ISA deviation = OAT - ISA temperature

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18
Q

State the equation to calculate ISA temperature

A

ISA temp. = 15 - (2 x altitude)/1000

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19
Q

State the ISA temperature lapse rate between 36,000 - 65,000ft

A

Trick question - constant temperature of -56.5°C

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20
Q

State the ISA temperature lapse rate between 65,000-105,000ft

A

+0.3°C per 1000ft

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21
Q

What does ITCZ stand for?

A

Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone

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22
Q

State the direction of the Coriolis Effect in the Northern/Southern Hemisphere

A

Anti-clockwise/Clockwise

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23
Q

Name the 3 different air circulation cells

A

Hadley, Ferrel, Polar

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24
Q

What is Insolation shorthand for?

A

Incoming Solar Radiation

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25
What percentage of mass in the atmosphere does the Troposphere hold?
75%
26
What is the approx. Height and temperature of the Tropopause at: 0°-30° latitude?
Height: 55,000ft Temperature: -75° c
27
What is the approx. Height and temperature of the Tropopause at: 30°-60° latitude?
Height: 36,000ft Temperature: -56.5°
28
What is the approx. Height and temperature of the Tropopause at: 60-°90° latitude?
Height: 26,000ft Temperature: -50°
29
Name the 4 different layers of atmosphere
Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere
30
What happens to the temperature trend at the top of the Thermosphere?
If above the night pole - the temperature will slowly begin to decrease (but a sharp change in trend) Otherwise, the temperature will continue to increase at the same rate into the positive temperatures
31
What is the basic trend between the Tropopause maximum height and temperature, at the Equator and the poles - relatively?
Equatorial Tropopause is higher and colder | Polar Tropopause in lower and warming
32
Draw a labelled diagram of the ‘Generalised Global Circulation’
Things to remember: - Hadley, Ferrel and Polar Cells. - Anti-clockwise rotation in the North, Clockwise in the South - Ferrel Cell opposing the general trend - ICTZ, Sub-tropical high pressure belts, Polar front, Polar highs - NE + SE trade winds, SW + NE-lies
33
Name the factors that influence the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere
- Altitude - Location - Temperature
34
State the definition of Altitude
The physical distance above a datum Mean Sea Level (MSL) for MET
35
State the definition of Temperature
The kinetic energy per molecule of a substance Units: °C, °F, K
36
State the definition of heat
The kinetic energy per unit volume of a mass
37
At what latitudes to tropospheric ‘breaks’ occur?
Between 30-60 °N
38
What radiation does Ozone absorb?
Ozone absorb shortwave length (UV) solar radiation
39
Where in the atmosphere is the highest concentration of Ozone?
In the low stratosphere
40
Where does the most solar absorption occur? | What is the result?
Most absorption occurs high in the stratosphere | Which results in a temperature increase
41
At what altitude do Nacreous (or Mother of Pearl) clouds form?
Between 15-25km in the Polar Stratosphere
42
What can the Meso/Thermo/Exo-spheres (60-1000km) be collectively known as?
The Ionosphere Due to the molecules within this level being ionised
43
What can charge the ionosphere to up to 500KV?
The electrostatic charge created by thunderstorms
44
Define the Parallels of latitude | What are they also known as?
A circle of latitude that cuts through the Earth at right angles to the pole-line A.k.a - small circles
45
What is a ‘Great’ circle?
Any circle that is equal to the diameter of the Earth Most namely, the Equator
46
Define the meridians of Longitude
Half of a ‘great’ circle - which passes through the poles
47
Where does the prime meridian intercept?
Greenwich | This is GMT
48
Show the equation for the pressure lapse rate | Height change per 1hPa
Height change per hPa = (96T)/P ``` T = Temperature in K P = Pressure in hPa ```
49
What is the pressure lapse rate at MSL?
27 ft/hPa
50
What is the pressure lapse rate at 10,000ft?
36 ft/hPa
51
What is the pressure lapse rate at 18,000ft?
48 ft/hPa
52
What is the pressure lapse rate at 30,000ft?
72 ft/hPa
53
What is the density lapse rate at MSL?
1.225 kg/m^3 per ft
54
What is the density lapse rate at 10,000ft?
0.903 kg/m^3 per ft | 75% of MSL rate
55
What is the density lapse rate at 22,000ft?
0.609 kg/m^3 per ft | 50% of MSL rate
56
What is the density lapse rate at 40,000ft?
0.302 kg/m^3 per ft
57
What is the effect of clouds on the Earths surface temperature?
Clouds cause: Cooler days - due to reflecting solar radiation Warmer nights - due to re-radiating Terrestrial radiation
58
What relationship does wind have with different temperature levels?
In strong winds, different temperature levels will mix. | However, on a still day - different temperature air will not mix
59
What is Diurnal variation?
The change of temperature over a daily period
60
Draw a graph of diurnal variation on: | Water, a clear day on land, and a cloudy day on land
Things to note: - Water has minimal variation due to high specific heat capacity - Much larger variation on an overcast day, compared to that of a clear day
61
Define Inversion
An increase in temperature with altitude | Opposing the usual trend of a decrease
62
Define Isothermal layer
A layer of air with a constant temperature, with an increasing altitude
63
Define Thermal inertia
The time difference between where there is maximum Insolation and maximum Terrestrial temperature
64
What is a freezing level?
An altitude where temperature = 0°

MET (10 decks)

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