84 Questions
An example of an absolute location is
40 degrees north latitude and 90 degrees west longitude
Earth's first atmosphere ( approximatey 4.6 billion years ago) was most likey composed of _
hydrogen and helium
Atmospheric concentrations of __ can vary significantly depending on time and location
carbon dioxide
The minimum daily temperature typically occurs at__.
sunrise
Pike's Peak is located 36 kilometers( 22 mi ) west of Colorado Springs. What is this statement describing?
relative location
The point on Earth's orbit around the Sun when the two bodies are farthest apart is called
aphelion
Together, the intensity and_ of solar radiation are two major factors that influence the warming and cooling of places on Earth during the days and over the seasons.
duration
The most variable of the atmospheric gases is __ which can range from 0.02 % to 4% by volume.
water vapor
Lines of latitude on map represent the distance __ from the __.
north or south; equator
As the temperature of a body increases, it will radiate energy at __ wavelengths.
shorter
The absolute temperature scale that contains np negative numbers is the __ which makes it convenient for scientific computing.
Kelvin
When winds blow toward the center of cyclone this is called___.
convergence
As the temperature of a parcel air increases, its capacity for water vapor__.
increases
The amount of water vapor in the air compared to the greatest amount of water the air could hold at a given temperature is known as the
relative humidity
which type of fog occurs when a warm moist air mass moves over a cold land mass ?
advection fog
What two characteristics are used to classify clouds?
Height and shape
What determines the classification of clouds?
Height and shape
What are the two main factors that determine a cloud's classification?
Height and shape
What characteristics are used to identify different types of clouds?
Height and shape
On what basis are clouds classified?
Height and shape
What happens to the air's capacity for water vapor when it is warmed?
It increases
Why are midlatitude continental west coasts generally wet?
Because air is forced to rise when it crosses mountain ranges
What is unusual about the property of water?
It expands when it freezes into a solid
What type of fog occurs when cold ground surfaces lose thermal energy to space?
Radiation fog
What is the temperature at which an unsaturated parcel of air becomes saturated?
The dew point
What type of cloud is associated with low-layered gray overcast skies?
Stratus
What are the three main types of clouds?
Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus
What characteristic do Cumulus and Stratus clouds have in common?
They are low-level clouds
What is the main difference between Cirrus and Cumulus clouds?
Their shape
Which type of cloud is commonly associated with fair weather?
Cumulus
Clouds with nimbo or nimbus in their name are associated with
precipitation
What type of cloud is formed by rapidly rising columns of air?
Cumulonimbus cloud
Under which condition does frontal precipitation occur?
When a warm air mass rises over a cold air mass
What is the state of air when it holds all the water vapor it can?
Saturated
Which type of cloud is commonly associated with severe storms?
Cumulonimbus cloud
What is the result of a warmer air mass rising over a colder air mass?
Frontal precipitation
which of the following would make the atmosphere more stable.
removing moisture and cooling the surface
Areas of high atmospheric pressure are also known as__.
anticyclones
Where does almost all of the earth's weather occur?
Troposphere
The air is extremely thin and the atmospheric pressure is quite low. The percentage of nitrogen and oxygen in this layer is about the same as it is at Earth's surface, but contains far fewer oxygen molecules.
mesosphere
In this layer, collisions between gas molecules and atoms are so infrequent that fast-moving lighter molecules can actually escape Earth's gravitational pull, and shoot off into space.
exosphere
This layer is well stirred and contains all of the weather that we are familiar with on Earth and where temperature decreases with height.
troposphere
In this layer, oxygen molecules (O2) absorb energetic solar rays making it the warmest part of the atmosphere. This is also the location where the bulk of the ionosphere lies.
Thermosphere
In this layer, air temperature begins to increase with height producing a temperature inversion, which reduces the amount of vertical motion. This is also the layer in which the ozone layer lies
stratosphere
As altitude increases in the atmosphere, air density decreases in a very similar way to:
the decrease in air pressure
In the stratosphere, temperature initially _______ and then _______ with height until we reach the stratopause.
decreases; increases
What gas in the upper atmosphere shields Earth's surface from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays?
ozone
On a surface weather map, the letters H and L refer to regions of high and low _______.
atmospheric pressure
In a temperature inversion, air temperature _______.
increases with altitude
Near Earth's surface, _______ occupies about 78% and _______ about 21% of the total volume of dry air.
nitrogen; oxygen
What is the primary source of molecular oxygen (O2) in Earth's early atmosphere?
Splitting of water vapor (H2O)
Which of the following gases is NOT considered a greenhouse gas?
Oxygen (O2)
What is the term for a region in the atmosphere where air temperature remains constant with height?
Isothermal zone
What type of storm system is also known as an extratropical cyclone?
Middle-latitude cyclonic storm
What is the term for a towering cloud, or cluster of clouds, accompanied by thunder, lightning, strong gusty winds, and heavy rain?
Thunderstorm
Which gas is responsible for the temperature inversion in the stratosphere?
Ozone (O3)
What is the primary source of water vapor and carbon dioxide for Earth's early atmosphere?
Outgassing
What is the layer of the atmosphere where almost all of the earth's weather occurs?
Troposphere
What is the gas that absorbs most of the harmful ultraviolet radiation in the stratosphere?
Ozone
What is the direction of wind around a surface high pressure?
Clockwise and outward
What are tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere called?
Aerosols
What is the hottest atmospheric layer?
Thermosphere
What is the primary source of oxygen in the atmosphere?
Photosynthesis
What is the variable gas in the earth's atmosphere?
Water vapor
What is the weather element that involves the horizontal movement of air?
Wind
The Mercator projection greatly exaggerates the size of areas in the high latitude regions.
True
The hydrologic cycle for the earth system as a whole can be considered a closed system because there is no gain or loss of water
True
Ocean currents play a significant role in helping to equalize the heat imbalance between the tropical and polar regions.
True
One characteristic of a great circle is that it must pass through both the north and south poles.
False
The specific heat of water is greater than that of land.
True
A wind is named for the direction toward which it blows.
False
A substance can be cooled below absolute zero.
False
Systems analysis involves defining a system, breaking the system down into its components, and examining how the components interact with one another.
True
The albedo of snow is generally low, while that of an evergreen forest is relatively high.
False
A geostrophic wind will flow perpendicular to isobars.
False
Closely spaced isobars on a map indicate a strong pressure gradient
True
The closer the dew point temperature is to the actual air temperature, the lower the relative humidity.
False
The farther apart contour lines are on an isoline map, the steeper the gradient.
False
Negative feedback is an "unnatural process" that is generally detrimental to the functioning of an environmental system.
False
The distance of earth from the sun plays a major role in the determination of the seasons.
False
Frost is dew that forms, but then freezes.
False
match with correct definition
The transfer of heat by the mass movement of a fluid, such as water and ai r = convection the horizontal transfer of any atmosphereic property by wind = advection 1 = 2 the transfer of heat from molecule to molecule within a substance = conduction
correct meaning
adiabatic process = if a parcel of air expands and cools, or compresses and warms, and there is no interchange of heat with its outside surroundings dry adiabatic process = the rate of adiabatic cooling or warming that occurs in a parcel of air that is unsaturated moist adiabatic rate = If rising air cools to its dew-point temperature, condensation results forming a cloud. because heat added during condensation offsets some of the cooling due to expansion, the air cools at a lower rate stable atmosphere = A lifted parcel of air will be colder (heavier) that the air surrounding it. Because of this fact, the lifted parcel will tend to sink back to its original position
which one
A lifted parcel of air will be colder (heavier) that the air surrounding it. Because of this fact, the lifted parcel will tend to sink back to its original position = stable atmosphere a lifted parcel of air will be warmer (lighter) than the air surrounding it, and thus will continue to rise upward, away from its original position = unstable atmosphere
=
Study Notes
Atmospheric Characteristics
- The atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen by volume
- The atmospheric pressure increases with decreasing altitude
- Air density decreases with increasing altitude, similar to air pressure
Cloud Formation
- Clouds are generally named based on two characteristics: height and shape
- Cumulus clouds are associated with fair weather, while cumulonimbus clouds are associated with severe storms
- Stratus clouds are low-lying and often cover the entire sky
- Fog occurs when a warm, moist air mass moves over a cold land mass (advection fog) or when the ground cools rapidly (radiation fog)
Atmospheric Layers
- The troposphere is the lowest layer, where weather occurs
- The stratosphere is the layer where ozone is found and temperature increases with altitude
- The mesosphere is the layer where temperature decreases with altitude
- The thermosphere is the hottest layer, where temperature increases with altitude
Weather and Climate
- Weather refers to the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place
- Climate refers to the average conditions of the atmosphere over a long period of time
- Climate is influenced by greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor
- The greenhouse effect is enhanced by the addition of water vapor to the atmosphere
Atmospheric Processes
- Outgassing is the process by which gases are released from the Earth's interior
- Photosynthesis is a process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere
- Respiration is a process by which oxygen is consumed and carbon dioxide is produced
- Fuel combustion and volcanic activity also affect the atmosphere
Atmospheric Gases
- The most abundant gases in the atmosphere are nitrogen and oxygen
- Water vapor is a variable gas that shows significant variation in concentration
- Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis
- Oxygen is not a greenhouse gas
Atmospheric Phenomena
- The "ozone hole" is observed above Antarctica
- Aerosols are tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere
- High pressure regions are associated with clear skies and fair weather
- Wind direction is described as the direction from which the wind is blowing
Test your knowledge on Earth's atmosphere, climate change, and related principles. This quiz covers the composition of the atmosphere, climate change principles, and more.
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