Questions and Answers
Distinguish between weather and climate?
Weather is the short-term changes in the atmosphere; climate is the average weather patterns of an area over a long period.
What is an element? List the basic elements of weather and climate.
Elements are quantities or properties of the atmosphere that are measured regularly and used to express the nature of weather and climate.
Is air a specific gas? Explain.
False
Why are temperatures in the thermosphere not strictly comparable to those experienced near Earth's surface?
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Study Notes
Weather vs. Climate
- Weather refers to short-term atmospheric changes, such as temperature, humidity, and precipitation.
- Climate represents the average weather conditions of a specific region over extended periods, usually 30 years or more.
Elements of Weather and Climate
- Elements are measurable quantities or properties of the atmosphere.
- Basic elements include temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure.
Composition of Air
- Air is not a specific gas; it is a mixture of various gases.
- The predominant gases in the atmosphere are nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about 21%).
- Air also contains trace amounts of other gases and suspended tiny solid and liquid particles.
Temperature in the Thermosphere
- The thermosphere contains gas particles that are moving rapidly due to high energy levels.
- Despite high particle velocity, the thermosphere has low heat content because of the sparse density of particles.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the fundamental differences between weather and climate. This quiz covers the elements of weather, the composition of air, and temperature variations in the thermosphere. Understand how these concepts shape our atmosphere and environment.
