WX 201 Exam 1 Study Guide|Complete And
Graded A+
Variable gasses in the atmosphere
CO2 , Water Vapor , O3 (ozone) , CH4(methane)
Permanent gasses in the atmosphere
Oxygen (O2) , Nitrogen (N2) , Nobel Gasses
Characteristics of a variable gas
Concentration is changing ; sources and sinks are not consistent
Characteristics of a permanent gas
Concentration in atmosphere remains constant ; sources and sinks consistent
Examples of green house gasses
CH4 , CO2 , CFCs , O3
Why are scientists predicting global warming?
The concentration of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere has been rising significantly since
industrial revolution
What causes the ozone hole?
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) ; found in aerosols
What are the implications of ozone depletion?
Decreased absorption of harmful UV radiation
Density
mass/volume
Pressure
force / area
What equation relates density, pressure, and temperature
Ideal gas law ; P∝ DT
What is used to measure density, pressure, and temperature?
Weather balloons
How do altimeters work?
Aneroid barometer inside measures pressure and infers your altitude
Standard lapse rate
, Temperature decreases 2°C for every 1000ft up to 36000ft
What causes indicated altitude to differ from the true altitude?
Changes in surface air pressure, temperature, elevation
What are the four layers of the atmosphere?
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
What layer does most weather occur in ?
Troposphere
What layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?
Stratosphere
In the troposphere temperature (increases/decreases) with altitude. Why?
Decreases ; heat comes from ground
In the stratosphere temperature (increases/decreases) with altitude. Why?
Increases ; absorption of UV radiation by the ozone layer
In the mesosphere temperature (increases/decreases) with altitude. Why?
Decreases ; fewer molecules to absorb radiation
In the thermosphere temperature (increases/decreases) with altitude? Why?
Increases ; absorbs a lot of incoming high energy radiation
What is the tropopause?
boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere
Under what conditions is the tropopause lowest and warmest?
Cold, high pressure areas
Under what conditions is the tropopause highest and coldest?
Warm, low pressure areas
How does pressure change with height?
Drops about 1"Hg for every 1000 ft
Why does pressure change with height?
Gravity
How does average wind speed vary with height in the atmosphere? Where is wind speed greatest?
Wind increases speed with height ; tropopause
Graded A+
Variable gasses in the atmosphere
CO2 , Water Vapor , O3 (ozone) , CH4(methane)
Permanent gasses in the atmosphere
Oxygen (O2) , Nitrogen (N2) , Nobel Gasses
Characteristics of a variable gas
Concentration is changing ; sources and sinks are not consistent
Characteristics of a permanent gas
Concentration in atmosphere remains constant ; sources and sinks consistent
Examples of green house gasses
CH4 , CO2 , CFCs , O3
Why are scientists predicting global warming?
The concentration of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere has been rising significantly since
industrial revolution
What causes the ozone hole?
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) ; found in aerosols
What are the implications of ozone depletion?
Decreased absorption of harmful UV radiation
Density
mass/volume
Pressure
force / area
What equation relates density, pressure, and temperature
Ideal gas law ; P∝ DT
What is used to measure density, pressure, and temperature?
Weather balloons
How do altimeters work?
Aneroid barometer inside measures pressure and infers your altitude
Standard lapse rate
, Temperature decreases 2°C for every 1000ft up to 36000ft
What causes indicated altitude to differ from the true altitude?
Changes in surface air pressure, temperature, elevation
What are the four layers of the atmosphere?
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
What layer does most weather occur in ?
Troposphere
What layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?
Stratosphere
In the troposphere temperature (increases/decreases) with altitude. Why?
Decreases ; heat comes from ground
In the stratosphere temperature (increases/decreases) with altitude. Why?
Increases ; absorption of UV radiation by the ozone layer
In the mesosphere temperature (increases/decreases) with altitude. Why?
Decreases ; fewer molecules to absorb radiation
In the thermosphere temperature (increases/decreases) with altitude? Why?
Increases ; absorbs a lot of incoming high energy radiation
What is the tropopause?
boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere
Under what conditions is the tropopause lowest and warmest?
Cold, high pressure areas
Under what conditions is the tropopause highest and coldest?
Warm, low pressure areas
How does pressure change with height?
Drops about 1"Hg for every 1000 ft
Why does pressure change with height?
Gravity
How does average wind speed vary with height in the atmosphere? Where is wind speed greatest?
Wind increases speed with height ; tropopause
