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Questions and Answers
The stratosphere is the layer where temperature increases with height.
The stratosphere is the layer where temperature increases with height.
True
What is the lapse rate?
What is the lapse rate?
The rate at which air temperature decreases with height in the troposphere.
Which of the following gases is considered a greenhouse gas?
Which of the following gases is considered a greenhouse gas?
Heat energy is related to the average speed of atoms and molecules.
Heat energy is related to the average speed of atoms and molecules.
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The transfer of heat from one molecule to another due to temperature difference is called ______.
The transfer of heat from one molecule to another due to temperature difference is called ______.
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What is the difference between weather and climate?
What is the difference between weather and climate?
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The process of evaporation is a warming process.
The process of evaporation is a warming process.
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Which of the following is NOT a type of heat transfer in the atmosphere?
Which of the following is NOT a type of heat transfer in the atmosphere?
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A blackbody is a perfect absorber and emitter of radiation.
A blackbody is a perfect absorber and emitter of radiation.
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What is the atmospheric greenhouse effect?
What is the atmospheric greenhouse effect?
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The amount of solar energy received at the Earth's surface is the same throughout the year.
The amount of solar energy received at the Earth's surface is the same throughout the year.
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Which of the following is a cause of nighttime cooling?
Which of the following is a cause of nighttime cooling?
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Temperature variations are generally greater at higher altitudes.
Temperature variations are generally greater at higher altitudes.
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What is the difference between the dry adiabatic rate and the moist adiabatic rate?
What is the difference between the dry adiabatic rate and the moist adiabatic rate?
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A stable atmosphere is more likely to experience thunderstorms.
A stable atmosphere is more likely to experience thunderstorms.
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Which of the following is a factor that can lead to atmospheric instability?
Which of the following is a factor that can lead to atmospheric instability?
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Clouds always form in a stable atmosphere.
Clouds always form in a stable atmosphere.
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What is entrainment in cloud development?
What is entrainment in cloud development?
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Precipitation is any form of water that falls from a cloud.
Precipitation is any form of water that falls from a cloud.
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The collision-coalescence process is the primary mechanism of precipitation formation in cold clouds.
The collision-coalescence process is the primary mechanism of precipitation formation in cold clouds.
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Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects the collision-coalescence process?
Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects the collision-coalescence process?
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What is the difference between accretion and aggregation in the ice-crystal process?
What is the difference between accretion and aggregation in the ice-crystal process?
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Cloud seeding is a technique used to increase precipitation by altering cloud properties.
Cloud seeding is a technique used to increase precipitation by altering cloud properties.
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Which of the following is NOT a type of precipitation?
Which of the following is NOT a type of precipitation?
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Dry adiabatic rate is a constant rate of cooling or warming that applies to unsaturated air.
Dry adiabatic rate is a constant rate of cooling or warming that applies to unsaturated air.
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A cloudburst refers to an exceptionally heavy shower of rain.
A cloudburst refers to an exceptionally heavy shower of rain.
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Which type of cloud is associated with continuous rain?
Which type of cloud is associated with continuous rain?
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The pressure gradient force is the primary force that drives wind.
The pressure gradient force is the primary force that drives wind.
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What is the Coriolis effect?
What is the Coriolis effect?
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The Coriolis force affects the speed of the wind.
The Coriolis force affects the speed of the wind.
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What is a geostrophic wind?
What is a geostrophic wind?
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Friction increases the speed of surface winds.
Friction increases the speed of surface winds.
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Surface winds blow clockwise into a high-pressure area and counterclockwise into a low-pressure area.
Surface winds blow clockwise into a high-pressure area and counterclockwise into a low-pressure area.
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Which of the following is a type of mesoscale weather event?
Which of the following is a type of mesoscale weather event?
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Mechanical turbulence is caused by the rising of thermals.
Mechanical turbulence is caused by the rising of thermals.
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What is a katabatic wind?
What is a katabatic wind?
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The general circulation of the atmosphere is driven by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface.
The general circulation of the atmosphere is driven by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface.
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The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a region of high atmospheric pressure.
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a region of high atmospheric pressure.
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What is the significance of the Coriolis effect for tropical cyclone formation?
What is the significance of the Coriolis effect for tropical cyclone formation?
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The intensity of a tropical cyclone is directly proportional to the temperature of the ocean water.
The intensity of a tropical cyclone is directly proportional to the temperature of the ocean water.
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Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to the dissipation of a tropical cyclone?
Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to the dissipation of a tropical cyclone?
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The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is often associated with thunderstorms.
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is often associated with thunderstorms.
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What is a front?
What is a front?
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A cold front moves faster than a warm front.
A cold front moves faster than a warm front.
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What is frontogenesis?
What is frontogenesis?
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Occluded fronts are associated with the most intense thunderstorms.
Occluded fronts are associated with the most intense thunderstorms.
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Which of the following is NOT a hazard associated with thunderstorms?
Which of the following is NOT a hazard associated with thunderstorms?
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Tropical cyclones are warm-core low-pressure systems.
Tropical cyclones are warm-core low-pressure systems.
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Study Notes
Lecture 1: Atmosphere
- Atmosphere protects Earth; a life-giving blanket.
- Composition: Nitrogen, Oxygen, Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Ozone.
- Oceans are a reservoir of CO2, a Greenhouse gas.
- Increasing Greenhouse gas concentration = increasing average surface temperature.
- Atmosphere has layered structure affecting density and pressure.
- Air density decreases with height, as gravity pulls down air above and compresses molecules.
- Air pressure decreases with increasing height.
- Troposphere: Contains all weather we experience; temperature decreases with height.
- Stratosphere: Temperature increases with height; Ozone heating plays a role.
- Mesosphere: Temperature decreases with height; lowest temperatures occur at the top.
- Thermosphere: Temperature increases, air molecules collide less frequently.
- Weather: the state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place (changing).
- Climate: average weather (accumulations of daily and seasonal weather events).
- Meteorology: the study of the atmosphere.
Lecture 2: Temperature and Heat Transfer
- Heat: Kinetic energy of atoms and molecules (energy in motion).
- Temperature: Average speed of atoms and molecules.
- Cooler air: Slower molecule movement, more densely packed.
- Warmer air: Faster molecule movement, less densely packed.
- Heat transfer: Movement of energy due to temperature difference.
- Conduction: Transfer of energy between molecules.
- Convection: Transfer of energy by fluid movement.
- Radiation: Transfer of energy without direct contact.
- Absorption and Emission: objects absorb and emit energy, day > night typically,
- Blackbody: Ideal absorber that also emits maximum radiation.
- Atmospheric Greenhouse Effect: Atmosphere retains heat through greenhouse gases.
Lecture 3: Seasonal Changes and Temperature Variations
- Seasons: Determined by the angle of sunlight striking Earth's surface and lengths/hours of daylight
- Daytime warming: Sun heats the ground, which warms air by conduction and convection.
- Nighttime cooling: Earth radiates heat, cooling the air.
- Temperature variations: influenced by humidity, proximity to bodies of water, and urbanization.
Lecture 4: Hydrologic Cycle
- Water infiltrates the ground for percolation to form groundwater.
- Plants release moisture through transpiration.
- Evaporation: Escape of water molecules from a liquid (cooling mechanism).
Lecture 5: Cloud Formation and Precipitation
- Saturation: When the air can't hold any more water vapor.
- Point of Saturation: Amount of water vapor molecules air can hold before it becomes saturated.
- Solute effect/Equilibrium Vapor Pressure: Equilibrium occurs when rate of water loss = rate of gain.
- Cloud droplet growth: Condensation (size increases), evaporation (size decreases).
- Collision-coalescence process: Larger droplets collide, fall faster.
- Ice-crystal process: Ice crystals grow larger due to freezing of supercooled droplets.
Lecture 6: Clouds
- Cloud formation and types: Formation depends upon rising air, temperature and humidity.
- Atmospheric stability: Determining factor of cloud formation (stable or unstable).
Lecture 7: Pressure and Winds
- Pressure readings: errors in barometer readings exist (temperature, gravity, and instrumental).
- Pressure-gradient force (PGF): Differences in pressure cause wind.
- Coriolis force: Apparent force due to Earth's rotation, impacting wind direction.
- Geostrophic winds: Wind that flows parallel to isobars.
- Surface Winds: Blow counterclockwise into lows, clockwise out of highs.
Lecture 8: Scales of Atmospheric Motion
- Scales of atmospheric motion: Eddies, microscale, mesoscale, synoptic scale, global scale.
- Turbulence: Irregular air flow (wind gusts).
- Mechanical turbulence: Eddies created by obstructions.
- Thermal turbulence: Vertical motion caused by rising thermals.
- Wind shear: Abrupt change in wind speed or direction.
- Local wind systems: Sea breezes, land breezes, monsoons, valley breezes.
Lecture 9: Pressure Areas and Fronts
- Pressure areas: High-pressure areas (clear weather/light winds), Low-pressure areas (storms/converging winds).
- Fronts: Boundaries between air masses of contrasting properties causing weather changes.
- Cold front: Steep slope; violent and quick weather changes.
- Warm front: Gentle slope; gradual weather changes.
- Occluded front: Cold front catches up with warm front.
- Stationary front: No movement; parallel winds in opposite directions.
Lecture 10: Weather Forecasting
- Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP): Computer models forecasting weather conditions.
- Limitations: Model accuracy issues, limitations with data from observations.
- Cone of uncertainty: historical forecast errors, indicating potential paths.
Lecture 11: Climate Classification (Conceptualization)
- Climate classification system.
Lecture 12: Climate Change and its Impacts
- Climate change response measures.
Lecture 13: Disaster Risk
- Disaster events and risks affecting the environment.
- Hazards (Hydrometeorological, Geophysical, Human-induced): Potential loss of life and destruction of property.
- Exposure: Location and value of assets affected.
- Vulnerability: Likelihood of the impact of hazards to property or people.
- Return Period: How often an event is expected to occur.
- Hydromet hazards: Floods, extreme winds, squalls, coastal flooding, drought.
Lecture 14: Thunderstorm Hazards
- Thunderstorm hazards: Lightning, heavy rain, hail.
- Other hazards related to thunderstorms.
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