The Atmospheric Environment

Question 0

Name 3 non-variant gasses, and their percentages in the atmosphere?

Answer 0

Water vapour - <4%
CO2 - 0.036%
Ozone (O3) - 0.000007%

Question 1

Name three variant gasses, and their percentages in the atmosphere?

Answer 1

Nitrogen - 78.084%
Oxygen - 20.946%
Argon - 0.934%

Question 2

List the 4 layers in the atmosphere in ascending order?

Answer 2

Troposphere
Stratosphere (15-50km)
Mesosphere (50-80km)
Thermosphere (80 ->)

Question 3

What life processes directly result in 99% of atmospheric conditions?

Answer 3

Photosynthesis (CO2, O2)
Life cycles on nitrogen fixing bacteria
Anaerobic bacteria

Question 4

What is electromagnetic radiation?

Answer 4

The transfer of energy by rapid oscillations of electromagnetic fields

Question 5

Does a higher temperature result in a longer or shorter wavelength?

Answer 5

Shorter

Question 6

Does a higher temperature result in a larger or smaller amount of radiation emission?

Answer 6

Greater

Question 8

What is the equation if net radiation balance during the day and overnight using the Q* equations. What is the main reason for this difference?

Answer 8

Day - Q* = K⬇️ - K ⬆️ + L⬇️ - L⬆️
Night - Q* = L⬇️ - L⬆️

During the night there is now shortwave (solar) radiation.

Question 9

What factors affect net radiation (Q*)?

Answer 9

Composition of the atmosphere

• aerosols (dust, smoke, sea salt)
• clouds (height, thickness,temp)

Surface type

• reflectivity
• water, soil, vegetation
• thermal properties and mass

Solar variability

Question 10

Name the three meridonal circulations starting from the equator and moving up.

Answer 10

1. Hadley Cell
2. Ferrel Cell
3. Polar Cell

Question 11

What are Qh, Qe and Qg in the equation Q* = Qh + Qg + Qe?

Answer 11

Qh = Sensible Heat, Convective exchange to or from the atmosphere. 
Qe = Latent Heat, associated with the phase of water
Qg = Conduction to or from the soil

Question 12

In what order of significance are Qg, Qe, and Qh partitioned over a dry clay pan?

Answer 12

Qh, Qe, Qg - Atmosphere is being warmed via convection.

Question 13

In what order of significance are Qg, Qe, and Qh partitioned over an alpine tussock?

Answer 13

Qe, Qg, Qh - Evaporation results in surface cooling.

Question 14

What factors affect temperature?

Answer 14

Elevation⬆️ - Temp⬇️ 
Latitude⬆️ - Temp⬇️ 
Season 
Proximity to bodies of water
Time of day
Ocean currents

Question 15

What is the equation for pressure?

Answer 15

P = RρT
(R = Universal Gas Constant
ρ = density 
T = Temperature)