unit 6 study guide Flashcards
transfer of energy from one molecule to another by direct contact
conduction
transfer of energy through space by electromagnetic waves
radiation
occurs when air near earth’s surfaces rises, cools, then sinks
convection
transfer of energy thru the movement of air, water, or other substances
convection
when the sun warms earth’s surface
radiation
2 gasses and percent
nitrogen 78— oxygen 21
layers of the atmosphere
tropo strato meso thermo exosphere
layer w earth’s weather
troposphere
layer where meteors burn up
mesosphere
layer with ions that causes the aurora
thermosphere
what layer is the ozone layer in
stratosphere
if a substance is contained and pressure is decreased, what happens to the temp
cools
if a substance is contained and its pressure is increased, what happens to the temp
increases
2 necessary ingredients to form a cloud
cloud condensation nuclei, water vapor
after the 2 ingredients are combined, what must happen to the mixture for a cloud to form?
lower pressure so the cloud condenses
3 substances that act as cloud condensation nuclei
dust, salt water, smoke
what is released as water vapor condenses to form a cloud? what does it do to a storm?
heat—– increases intensity, adding energy
maritime
on the ocean
polar
cold
continental
on land
tropical
warm
where do arctic air masses form
over 60 degrees latitude in siberia and the arctic basin
what do cirrus clouds look like
thin, wispy
what do cumulus clouds look like
puffy
nimbo meaning
grey
primary cause of wind
uneven heating of earth’s surface
which wind belt affects the latitude in which we live
prevailing westerlies
what is the Coriolis affect and what causes it
it appears that the path of the wind system is deflected to the E or W because the earth is always rotating
what is a front
2 air masses of diff temps pressure/ humidity collide
front w strong thunderstorms
cold
front with long, gentle rainstorms
warm
front w rain for several days
stationary
what causes a high pressure system
air sinks and spreads away clockwise
weather associated with high pressure system
clear skies
what causes low pressure system
air rises and causes inward net flow towards the center, counterclockwise
weather associated with low pressure system
clouds
isobars
connects points of equal pressure
what does it mean when isobars are close together
strong winds
tool used to measure air pressure
barometer
how are most of todays weather forecasts put together
digital forecasts that combine/analyze weather data and generate models
are long range forecasts typically as reliable as short range forecasts
no it could change in a moments notice
