Weather and Climate Basics

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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 (B)

Why are temperatures in the thermosphere not strictly comparable to those experienced near Earth's surface?

<p>In the thermosphere, even though gas particles are moving fast, they possess an insignificant quantity of heat due to their low density.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is weather?

Short-term changes in the atmosphere.

What is climate?

Average weather patterns of an area over a long period.

What are elements of weather and climate?

Quantities or properties of the atmosphere that are measured regularly to express the nature of weather and climate.

Why are temperatures in the thermosphere not comparable to those near the Earth's surface?

The particles move fast, but they possess an insignificant quantity of heat due to their low density

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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.