WX 201 - Exam #1 Questions and Answers
Permanent Gases in the Atmosphere
Constant concentration in the atmosphere
78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 1% Other Gases: Argon, Neon, Helium, Krypton, Hydrogen
Variable Gases in the Atmosphere
The amount/concentration in the atmosphere varies or changes
Includes: Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Ozone
Sources
produce gases
Ex: decaying plants/animals, volcanoes, photosynthesis
Sinks
deplete (remove) gases
Ex: soil bacteria, respiration, decay, oxidation, photosynthesis
water vapor is (invisible/visible)?
invisible
What is the most abundant variable gas?
water vapor
_______ air can hold more water than _______ air
warm, cool
Latent Heat
the energy absorbed or released during a change in state (ex. H2O)
Evaporation
absorbs latent heat, cooling surroundings, main source of water vapor
Condensation
releases latent heat, warming surroundings, main sink of water vapor
At what altitudes and latitudes would the highest water vapor concentrations be observed?
near the surface and at the equator
Greenhouse Gases
gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and ozone which trap heat in the atmosphere
What do greenhouse gases do?
absorb infrared radiation emitted by the Earth and re-radiate some of the radiation back down to the
surface (acts like a blanket)
, At what rate is carbon dioxide increasing in the atmosphere?
0.039% and rising
Climate Change
change in the statistical properties of the climate system when considered over periods of decades
Where is the ozone layer?
Stratosphere (50,000'-100,000' MSL)
What does the ozone layer do?
protects Earth's surface by absorbing UV rays from the Sun
CFC (Clorofluorocarbon)
man made molecule that can deplete thousands of ozone molecules
What is "bad" ozone?
greenhouse gas, toxic and reactive, creates smog
Where is "bad" ozone located?
in the troposphere near the surface in industrial areas
What is an aerosol?
tiny solid or liquid suspended particles of various composition in the atmosphere
Ex. dust, clay, pollutants, smoke, salt, ash, fog
An atom or molecule is ionized when
it gains or loses an electron
In a permanent gas, the sources and sinks are
balanced
In a variable gas, the sources and sinks are
unbalanced
What does water vapor do?
leads to the development of clouds and precipitation
What causes the annual cycle of Carbon Dioxide?
when the Northern Hemisphere is in winter, there are less plants to absorb carbon dioxide so the
percentage goes up
Why is there an ozone hole over the Southern Hemisphere during spring? (Sept.-Nov.)
Permanent Gases in the Atmosphere
Constant concentration in the atmosphere
78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 1% Other Gases: Argon, Neon, Helium, Krypton, Hydrogen
Variable Gases in the Atmosphere
The amount/concentration in the atmosphere varies or changes
Includes: Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Ozone
Sources
produce gases
Ex: decaying plants/animals, volcanoes, photosynthesis
Sinks
deplete (remove) gases
Ex: soil bacteria, respiration, decay, oxidation, photosynthesis
water vapor is (invisible/visible)?
invisible
What is the most abundant variable gas?
water vapor
_______ air can hold more water than _______ air
warm, cool
Latent Heat
the energy absorbed or released during a change in state (ex. H2O)
Evaporation
absorbs latent heat, cooling surroundings, main source of water vapor
Condensation
releases latent heat, warming surroundings, main sink of water vapor
At what altitudes and latitudes would the highest water vapor concentrations be observed?
near the surface and at the equator
Greenhouse Gases
gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and ozone which trap heat in the atmosphere
What do greenhouse gases do?
absorb infrared radiation emitted by the Earth and re-radiate some of the radiation back down to the
surface (acts like a blanket)
, At what rate is carbon dioxide increasing in the atmosphere?
0.039% and rising
Climate Change
change in the statistical properties of the climate system when considered over periods of decades
Where is the ozone layer?
Stratosphere (50,000'-100,000' MSL)
What does the ozone layer do?
protects Earth's surface by absorbing UV rays from the Sun
CFC (Clorofluorocarbon)
man made molecule that can deplete thousands of ozone molecules
What is "bad" ozone?
greenhouse gas, toxic and reactive, creates smog
Where is "bad" ozone located?
in the troposphere near the surface in industrial areas
What is an aerosol?
tiny solid or liquid suspended particles of various composition in the atmosphere
Ex. dust, clay, pollutants, smoke, salt, ash, fog
An atom or molecule is ionized when
it gains or loses an electron
In a permanent gas, the sources and sinks are
balanced
In a variable gas, the sources and sinks are
unbalanced
What does water vapor do?
leads to the development of clouds and precipitation
What causes the annual cycle of Carbon Dioxide?
when the Northern Hemisphere is in winter, there are less plants to absorb carbon dioxide so the
percentage goes up
Why is there an ozone hole over the Southern Hemisphere during spring? (Sept.-Nov.)
