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Science 1201 > Weather Dynamics Unit 1 > Flashcards

Weather Dynamics Unit 1 Flashcards

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1
Q

-What is the boundary between two different air masses called?

A

Front

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2
Q

Which instrument measures atmospheric pressure?

A

Barometer

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3
Q

True or False: An anemometer measures wind speed.

A

True

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4
Q

Which instrument measures relative humidity?

A

Hygrometer

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5
Q

What type of front occurs when a warm air mass overtakes a cold air mass?

A

Warm front

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6
Q

What is the boundary between two different air masses called when neither is advancing into the other?

A

Stationary front

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7
Q

Which instrument measures wind direction?

A

Wind vane

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8
Q

True or False: A psychrometer measures relative humidity

A

False

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9
Q

What instrument measures the amount of precipitation that has fallen?

A

Rain gauge

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10
Q

A line on a weather systems map showing places of equal atmospheric pressure

A

Isobar

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11
Q

A typical unit of measurement of air pressure in the metric system

A

Kilopascals / kPa

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12
Q

Technology that collects weather data from a distance without actually being in physical contact with the object being observed.

A

Remote Sensing Technology

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13
Q

Helium-filled weather device which contains a radiosonde.

A

Weather Balloon

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14
Q

A type of forecast which forecasts up to six hours.

A

Nowcasting

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15
Q

Means “human-caused”

A

Anthropogenic

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16
Q

A forecast that predicts how weather conditions will change over a period of 3 to 7 days.

A

Long Range Forecast

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17
Q

A device which measures relative humidity.

A

Hygrometer

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18
Q

A device which measures relative humidity and dew point; is a type of hygrometer

A

Psychrometer

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19
Q

A type of front which forms when a fast-moving cold front overtakes a slow-moving warm front and the warm air is obstructed.

A

Occluded Front

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20
Q

A change in weather conditions that a region experiences over a long time.

A

Climate Change

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21
Q

The portion of the sky that is covered with clouds.

A

Sky cover

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22
Q

What is sky cover measured out of?

A

Out of 10. Ex; a sky full of clouds would be 10/10 cover

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23
Q

A device which contains alcohol or mercury and expands as the temperature increases.

A

Thermometer

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24
Q

The title for a scientist who studies weather dynamics and makes weather forecasting predictions

A

Meteorologist

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25
Q

How quickly air is moving and the direction from which it originates

A

Wind speed and direction

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26
Q

A type of front when a moving cold air mass quickly pushes up warm air (steep slope), and can lead to thunderstorms.

A

Cold front

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27
Q

A forecast that predicts how weather conditions will change over a period of up to 48 hours.

A

Short Range Forecast

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28
Q

Predicting future weather based on ongoing observations of atmospheric conditions

A

Weather Forecasting

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29
Q

The force of the atmosphere on the surface below it.

A

Atmospheric pressure

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30
Q

The temperature at which dew forms; occurs when air is saturated (RH=100%)

A

Dew point Temperature

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31
Q

What unit is Relative humidity measured in?

A

Percent %

32
Q

A type of forecasting that is accurate for only a few hours.

A

Persistence forecasting

33
Q

Compares the actual amount of water vapor in the air with the maximum amount of vapor air can hold at a given temperature.

A

Relative humidity

34
Q

Observations that involve the senses; uses words

A

Qualitative observations AKA Quality

35
Q

Observations that involve measuring the physical conditions of the atmosphere with a variety of instruments and observations; uses numbers

A

Quantitative Observations AKA Quantity

36
Q

The average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance

A

Temperature

37
Q

Any liquid or solid water that falls to Earth

A

Precipitation

38
Q

The amount of water vapour in the air.

A

Humidity

39
Q

Modern attempts to control or change the weather

A

Weather modification

40
Q

Patterns of weather conditions in a large region over a long period of time. Can be years, decades, centuries, or even longer.

A

Climate

41
Q

Current conditions of the atmosphere in a specific place and at a specific time.

A

Weather

42
Q

Process in which certain gases in the atmosphere absorb and re-emit heat from the Sun and heat radiated from Earth’s surface.

A

Greenhouse effect

43
Q

A gas, such as carbon dioxide, which absorbs heat and contributes to an increase in the temperature of the atmosphere

A

Greenhouse gases

44
Q

What units are used to measure wind speed and direction?

A

Km/h or Mph,
N E S W

45
Q

When isobars are close together, what kind of weather can be expected?

A

High winds, low pressure

46
Q

What conditions are necessary for precipitation to occur?

A

Relative humidity being 100%, and Dew Point Temperature being reached

47
Q

How to find relative humidity/dew point on a chart?

A

Subtract wet bulb from dry bulb and locate the difference on the chart along with the dry bulb.

48
Q

Weather VS Climate

A

Both atmospheric conditions;
Weather is day to day
Climate is over many years

49
Q

What units are used to measure precipitation?

A

mm/cm

50
Q

What units are used to measure precipitation?

A

mm/cm

51
Q

Name the Earths 5 spheres and their nicknames

A

Atmosphere (air)
Biosphere (life)
Hydrosphere (water)
Lithosphere (land)
Trophosphere (Weather layer)

52
Q

The first layer of the atmosphere, where all weather occurs!

A

Trophosphere

53
Q

Describe Earths energy budget, not too hot and not too cold!

A

70% of suns energy absorbed!
30% of sun’s energy reflected!

54
Q

Albedo

A

The reflectivity of an object
Light colours have high albedo, high reflectivity
Dark colours have low albedo, high absorption

55
Q

Heat Capacity

A

the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of something by one degree.

56
Q

Example of a high heat capacity substance. Retains heat for a long period; takes a long time to heat up and long time to cool down as it requires a loss of energy to cool down

A

Water! Water is also a great heat sink due to these reasons.

57
Q

What is greatest near the Earths surface due to gravity?

A

Atmospheric pressure

58
Q

Describe a low pressure system

A

Humid air rises, brings precipitation

59
Q

Describe a high pressure system

A

Dry air falls, bringing clear skies

60
Q

Name the prevailing winds
Air moves from H->L
Label H, L, H, L on map

A

Northeast Trade winds
Westerlies
Polar Easterlies

61
Q

What effect is now more extreme due to human activity?

A

Greenhouse effect

62
Q

Name 4 Greenhouse Gases

A

Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Halocarbons

63
Q

What airs do spread out isobars bring?

A

Calm airs

64
Q

high pressure vs low pressure (weather)

A

High = clear skies + falling air
Low = precipitation + rising air

65
Q

What are 3 ways to monitor climate change?

A

Tree rings
Ice cores
Fossils

66
Q

Describe tree rings

A

Dark rings = slow growth and hotter conditions
Light rings = rapid growth and favourable conditions

67
Q

Describe ice cores

A

Holds records of atmospheric gases, types of plants (from pollen), volcanic eruptions (from dust and ash), and temperature and humidity (size of ice crystals) at that time

68
Q

Describe one effect weather has on Agriculture, the Marine Industry, and Transportation.

A

Crops fail w/o proper rainfall and temperatures e.g. dry harvest szn
Weather often determines when and if a person can engage in the fishing industry
Weather can damage transportation infrastructure e.g. roads flooded

69
Q

What are the three factors which should be analyzed when looking at a weather map to construct a weather forecast?

A

Weather fronts - indicates areas of precipitation and temperature changes
Pressure systems - high: clear weather
low: precipitation and higher humidity
Isobars - wind speeds and patterns

70
Q

How do humans add to the amount of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, NO2, halocarbons) in the atmosphere?

A

Burning of fossil fuels via transportation, generating power, manufacturing goods, overconsumption, etc

71
Q

How does a psychrometer work?

A

It works by measuring the temperature difference between a dry thermometer bulb and a wet thermometer bulb that has lost some moisture due to evaporation.

72
Q

What is a heat sink

A

Any substance that can absorb and retain energy without changing state

73
Q

A thin band of air made up of numerous layers based on temperature. Without this protective blanket, life on Earth would not exist as it protects us from heat and radiation emitted from the sun and contains the air we breathe.

A

Atmosphere

74
Q

The lowest layer of our atmosphere We humans live in this, and nearly all weather occurs in this lowest layer.

A

Troposphere

75
Q

Air currents that blow in mainly one direction

A

Prevailing winds

76
Q

As altitude increases, atmospheric pressure …?

A

Decreases

Science 1201 (2 decks)

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