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Questions and Answers
Which type of measurement employs direct contact between the sensing device and the medium being measured?
Which type of measurement employs direct contact between the sensing device and the medium being measured?
What is the primary characteristic of indirect measurement?
What is the primary characteristic of indirect measurement?
Which of the following is an example of a device used for indirect measurement?
Which of the following is an example of a device used for indirect measurement?
What type of observation involves obtaining measurements without direct contact with the subject?
What type of observation involves obtaining measurements without direct contact with the subject?
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Which method would likely be used to gather atmospheric profiles without physically touching the atmosphere?
Which method would likely be used to gather atmospheric profiles without physically touching the atmosphere?
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What type of measurement is made when using a device that interprets electromagnetic radiation?
What type of measurement is made when using a device that interprets electromagnetic radiation?
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Which device is a direct measurement instrument?
Which device is a direct measurement instrument?
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What is a major difference between in-situ measurements and indirect measurements?
What is a major difference between in-situ measurements and indirect measurements?
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What is the main reason sites for global climate monitoring should be located far from urban environments?
What is the main reason sites for global climate monitoring should be located far from urban environments?
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Which of the following best defines a measurand in atmospheric studies?
Which of the following best defines a measurand in atmospheric studies?
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What do scanning Doppler weather radars primarily measure?
What do scanning Doppler weather radars primarily measure?
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Which organization maintains a radar network database for international data exchange?
Which organization maintains a radar network database for international data exchange?
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Which of the following components is NOT required in the characterization of an atmospheric instrument?
Which of the following components is NOT required in the characterization of an atmospheric instrument?
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What system do commercial aircraft use to report weather observations during flight?
What system do commercial aircraft use to report weather observations during flight?
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What does a sensor typically convert in atmospheric instruments?
What does a sensor typically convert in atmospheric instruments?
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In the context of a sensor, what is a transducer?
In the context of a sensor, what is a transducer?
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What type of satellites can sample the exosphere in situ?
What type of satellites can sample the exosphere in situ?
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What is typically the output of a sensor used in atmospheric measurements?
What is typically the output of a sensor used in atmospheric measurements?
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Which type of sensing do geostationary satellites primarily use?
Which type of sensing do geostationary satellites primarily use?
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How do satellites observe Earth and its atmosphere?
How do satellites observe Earth and its atmosphere?
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Which component of a sensor is responsible for having a measurable property dependent on the atmospheric property being measured?
Which component of a sensor is responsible for having a measurable property dependent on the atmospheric property being measured?
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Which of the following is NOT a function of scanning Doppler weather radars?
Which of the following is NOT a function of scanning Doppler weather radars?
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Which of the following measurands could be classified as a derived property?
Which of the following measurands could be classified as a derived property?
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What is a key benefit of radar networks established worldwide?
What is a key benefit of radar networks established worldwide?
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What is the primary function of rawinsondes?
What is the primary function of rawinsondes?
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Which statement about profiling networks is true?
Which statement about profiling networks is true?
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At what times are rawinsondes typically launched for synoptic soundings?
At what times are rawinsondes typically launched for synoptic soundings?
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What do radars primarily detect in the atmosphere?
What do radars primarily detect in the atmosphere?
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What role do soundings play in weather forecasting?
What role do soundings play in weather forecasting?
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Which instrument continuously measures wind direction and speed?
Which instrument continuously measures wind direction and speed?
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Which of the following is NOT a function of radar in weather forecasting?
Which of the following is NOT a function of radar in weather forecasting?
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What technology enables rawinsondes to measure atmospheric data from ships?
What technology enables rawinsondes to measure atmospheric data from ships?
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What role does the signal processor play in an instrument?
What role does the signal processor play in an instrument?
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What is the primary function of the data recorder in an instrumentation system?
What is the primary function of the data recorder in an instrumentation system?
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Which component is responsible for converting sensor output to a digital format?
Which component is responsible for converting sensor output to a digital format?
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Why is it important to assess the quality of measurements with instruments?
Why is it important to assess the quality of measurements with instruments?
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What characteristic of meteorological instruments is crucial for their autonomous operation?
What characteristic of meteorological instruments is crucial for their autonomous operation?
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What is typically used to display the property being measured?
What is typically used to display the property being measured?
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What does the term 'calibration' in the context of instruments refer to?
What does the term 'calibration' in the context of instruments refer to?
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What are two key components of a display and recording system?
What are two key components of a display and recording system?
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Study Notes
Types of Measurement
- Direct measurements assess mass, length, and time without intermediaries, e.g., balances for mass.
- Indirect measurements involve using devices to interpret measurements, e.g., anemometers for wind speed or thermometers for temperature based on liquid columns.
- In-situ measurements require direct interaction between the sensor and the environment, exemplified by mobile radiosondes.
- Remote sensing allows observations without physical contact, useful for atmospheric profiling and imagery, using technologies like S-band and Ka-band radars.
Measurand
- Measurand refers to the atmospheric property being measured, such as temperature, pressure, or the size distribution of cloud droplets.
- Properties can also include radiative energy from solar sources or measured variations due to weather phenomena.
Key Components of Instruments
- Atmospheric instruments typically consist of:
- Sensor: Outputs an electrical property (like voltage) related to the atmospheric measurement.
- Data Acquisition/Signal Conditioning: Enhances and interprets sensor signals.
- Display/Recording System: Shows and records the measurement data.
- Sensors incorporate:
- Sensing Element: Responds to the measured property.
- Exciter: Devices like wind profilers or rawinsondes that gather atmospheric data.
Profiling Networks
- Radiosonde programs began in the 1930s to support weather forecasting, collecting data on temperature, humidity, and wind.
- Soundings contribute essential data for weather maps and predictive models, performed twice daily.
Radar Networks
- Radars utilize electromagnetic pulses to detect and analyze atmospheric scatterers like precipitation and clouds.
- Scanning Doppler radars can assess wind speeds and precipitation rates, which are crucial for forecasting.
Aircraft Observing Systems
- Research and commercial aircraft gather and transmit atmospheric data during flights using systems such as ACARS in the U.S. and AMDAR internationally.
Satellite Observations
- Satellites provide unparalleled data by utilizing remote sensing to observe Earth from orbit.
- Low-Earth Orbiting (LEO) and geostationary satellites use both passive and active sensors for atmospheric measurements, including electromagnetic energy emissions.
Performance Characteristics of Instruments
- Instrument reliability is enhanced through assessments of measurement quality, calibration, and noise levels.
- Instruments should exhibit low uncertainty over extended periods, essential for accurate meteorological data collection.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of direct and indirect measurements used in various instruments. Learn about the principles of measurement, including examples like balances and anemometers. Understand how observations are made and interpreted in the context of instrumentation.
