PHAK Chapter 12 Weather Theory
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Questions and Answers

What is the composition of the atmosphere?

  • 75% nitrogen, 23% oxygen, 2% other
  • 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% other (correct)
  • 70% nitrogen, 25% oxygen, 5% other
  • 80% nitrogen, 18% oxygen, 2% other

    • What are the four layers of the atmosphere?

    Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere

    What is the troposphere?

    The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere

    What is the tropopause?

    <p>The boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the stratosphere?

    <p>Little weather exists and the air is stable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the mesosphere?

    <p>The layer of Earth's atmosphere immediately above the stratosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the thermosphere?

    <p>The uppermost layer of the atmosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is atmospheric circulation?

    <p>Movement of air around the surface of the Earth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes atmospheric pressure changes?

    <p>Uneven heating of the Earth's surface</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Coriolis force?

    <p>The deflection of objects due to the Earth's rotation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs in high pressure systems?

    <p>Areas of dry, descending air with good weather</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens in low pressure systems?

    <p>Air flows in to replace rising air, usually bringing precipitation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a sea breeze?

    <p>Flow of cooler air from over an ocean or lake toward land (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are convective currents?

    <p>Upward and downward motion of air caused by uneven heating</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Composition of the Atmosphere

    • Atmosphere consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases.

    Layers of the Atmosphere

    • The atmosphere is divided into four layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere.

    Troposphere

    • The lowest layer extends up to approximately 20,000 feet.
    • Most weather phenomena, clouds, storms, and temperature changes occur here.
    • Average temperature decreases by about 2°C for every 1,000 feet of altitude gained.
    • Atmospheric pressure decreases by one inch for every 1,000 feet in altitude.

    Tropopause

    • Acts as a boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere.
    • Traps moisture and associated weather patterns within the troposphere.

    Stratosphere

    • The second-lowest atmospheric layer, spanning from the tropopause up to 160,000 feet.
    • Characterized by stable air and minimal weather activity.

    Mesosphere

    • Lies immediately above the stratosphere.
    • Exerts little influence on weather conditions.

    Thermosphere

    • The uppermost layer of the atmosphere, extending above the mesosphere.

    Atmospheric Circulation

    • Involves movement of air across the Earth's surface, driven by uneven heating.
    • Warm air rises and is replaced by cooler air, creating circulation patterns.
    • Warm air moving toward the poles cools, becomes denser, and sinks back to the surface.

    Atmospheric Pressure

    • Changes in air pressure are influenced by irregular heating of the Earth's surface.
    • Pressure varies with altitude, temperature, and air density.

    Coriolis Force

    • Deflects moving air due to Earth's rotation: to the right (clockwise) in the Northern Hemisphere, and to the left (counter-clockwise) in the Southern Hemisphere.
    • Creates distinct atmospheric circulation cells in each hemisphere, influencing trade winds and weather patterns.

    Wind and Currents

    • Air moves from high to low pressure areas, seeking lower pressure.
    • Includes convective currents (upward and downward) and horizontal wind movement.

    Wind Patterns

    • In the Northern Hemisphere, air moves from high-pressure areas, deflected right, forming anticyclonic circulation.
    • Air flowing toward low-pressure areas creates counterclockwise cyclonic circulation.

    High Pressure Systems

    • Characterized by dry, descending air.
    • Generally associated with clear and good weather conditions.

    Low Pressure Systems

    • Air converges into low-pressure areas, replacing the rising air.
    • Tends to bring cloudiness and precipitation, associated with poor weather.

    Convective Currents

    • Uneven heating from different land types causes local circulation:
      • Plowed ground and barren land heat quickly, generating updrafts.
      • Water and vegetated areas absorb heat slowly, creating downdrafts.

    Sea Breeze

    • Cooler air from over oceans/lakes flows toward land.
    • Land heats faster than water, causing air over land to rise, drawing in cooler air from the water.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge of weather theory with this quiz focused on the atmospheric composition and its layers. Review key concepts like the types of gases in the atmosphere and the characteristics of each atmospheric layer. Ideal for students studying aviation or meteorology.

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