Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes a 'lapse rate'?
Which of the following best describes a 'lapse rate'?
- The rate at which air temperature increases with altitude.
- The change in atmospheric pressure relative to altitude.
- The moisture content change in an air parcel as it rises.
- The rate at which air temperature decreases with altitude. (correct)
What primarily dictates whether atmospheric air cools at the dry adiabatic rate versus the moist adiabatic rate?
What primarily dictates whether atmospheric air cools at the dry adiabatic rate versus the moist adiabatic rate?
- Wind shear
- Air parcel temperature
- Atmospheric pressure
- Humidity level (saturated or unsaturated) (correct)
In a stable atmosphere, what temperature relationship exists between an air parcel and its surrounding environment, and what is the parcel's likely behavior:
In a stable atmosphere, what temperature relationship exists between an air parcel and its surrounding environment, and what is the parcel's likely behavior:
- Parcel is warmer; it sinks.
- Parcel is the same temperature; it remains stable.
- Parcel is warmer; it rises freely.
- Parcel is cooler; it resists vertical movement. (correct)
Which type of cloud is most commonly associated with an unstable atmosphere?
Which type of cloud is most commonly associated with an unstable atmosphere?
At what point does water vapor condense and transform into cloud droplets?
At what point does water vapor condense and transform into cloud droplets?
What is the name given to the altitude at which rising air first becomes saturated, leading to cloud formation?
What is the name given to the altitude at which rising air first becomes saturated, leading to cloud formation?
Which of the following is NOT a necessary requirement for condensation?
Which of the following is NOT a necessary requirement for condensation?
Which cloud development mechanism involves air being forced to rise over a topographic barrier?
Which cloud development mechanism involves air being forced to rise over a topographic barrier?
What is the primary process driving cloud development through convection?
What is the primary process driving cloud development through convection?
In orographic uplift, the heaviest precipitation typically occurs on which side of the mountain?
In orographic uplift, the heaviest precipitation typically occurs on which side of the mountain?
What atmospheric condition results in a 'rain shadow' effect?
What atmospheric condition results in a 'rain shadow' effect?
Which of the following best describes cloud formation through lifting along fronts?
Which of the following best describes cloud formation through lifting along fronts?
Which process primarily initiates cloud formation when surface air converges?
Which process primarily initiates cloud formation when surface air converges?
How does the temperature of an air parcel typically change as it rises in the atmosphere?
How does the temperature of an air parcel typically change as it rises in the atmosphere?
What happens to the density of an air parcel as it warms?
What happens to the density of an air parcel as it warms?
If an air parcel is less dense than the surrounding air, what will happen?
If an air parcel is less dense than the surrounding air, what will happen?
What effect does the condensation of water vapor have on the temperature of the surrounding air?
What effect does the condensation of water vapor have on the temperature of the surrounding air?
What type of clouds are most likely to form in a stable atmosphere?
What type of clouds are most likely to form in a stable atmosphere?
What is the average environmental lapse rate?
What is the average environmental lapse rate?
What happens to air parcel temperature in an environment where the atmosphere is considered unstable?
What happens to air parcel temperature in an environment where the atmosphere is considered unstable?
Flashcards
What is a Lapse Rate?
What is a Lapse Rate?
The rate at which atmospheric temperature decreases with increasing altitude.
What is the average Environmental Lapse Rate?
What is the average Environmental Lapse Rate?
The average rate of temperature decrease in the troposphere, roughly 6.5°C per kilometer.
What is the Dry Adiabatic Rate?
What is the Dry Adiabatic Rate?
The rate at which dry air cools as it rises (10°C/km). When unsaturated, air cools at this rate.
What is the Moist Adiabatic Rate?
What is the Moist Adiabatic Rate?
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Stable Atmosphere
Stable Atmosphere
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Unstable Atmosphere
Unstable Atmosphere
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Condensation Level
Condensation Level
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What are the three requirements for condensation?
What are the three requirements for condensation?
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Four Cloud Development Mechanisms
Four Cloud Development Mechanisms
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Orographic Precipitation
Orographic Precipitation
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Study Notes
- The study questions are for Week 9 (Chapter 5 - Part 1) ESC101-001H and covers Cloud Development and Precipitation
Lapse Rate
- Define lapse rate
Environmental Lapse Rate
- Define the average environmental lapse rate
Dry Adiabatic Rate
- Define the dry adiabatic rate
- State if air cools by this rate when it is saturated or unsaturated
Moist Adiabatic Rate
- Define the moist adiabatic rate
- State if air cools by this rate when it is saturated or unsaturated
Stable Atmosphere
- Define air parcel temperature in a stable atmosphere as cooler or warmer than the surrounding environmental temperature
- State if the parcel is more or less dense than the surrounding air in a stable atmosphere
- Determine if it will fall back to its original position or rise in a stable atmosphere
Unstable Atmosphere
- Define air parcel temperature in an unstable atmosphere as warmer or cooler than the surrounding environmental temperature
- State if the parcel is less or more dense than the surrounding air in an unstable atmosphere
- Determine if it will continue to rise or fall back to its original position in an unstable atmosphere
- Determine the kind of clouds associated with instability
Cloud Diagrams
- Be able to fill in a simple diagram like the one on page 131 of Lab 9
- Be able to answer questions about the diagram like those on page 132 and 133 of Lab 9
- Whether the parcel will rise on its own or sink
- Whether the atmosphere is stable or unstable at a specific height.
Cloud Formation
- Clouds form as a parcel rises and cools to its dew point temperature
- Water vapor will condense to form cloud droplets
- The level where this first occurs is the condensation level
Condensation
- State the three requirements necessary for condensation to occur
Cloud Development Mechanisms
- The four different cloud development mechanisms include:
- Convection
- Orographic Uplift
- Convergence of Surface Air (with low pressure)
- Lifting along Fronts
- Determine which side of the mountain receives the most precipitation from orographic clouds
- State which side of the mountain experiences a rain shadow
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