METR 3140 Exam 1 Study Guide 2023 PDF

Study Guide for Exam 1 METR 3140 1. What is the difference between the permanent gases and the variable gases in the atmosphere, examples? 2. What is mean free path? How does it change? 3. How does atmospheric density change from place to place? 4. Know the 4 layers of...

Study Guide for Exam 1 METR 3140 1. What is the difference between the permanent gases and the variable gases in the atmosphere, examples? 2. What is mean free path? How does it change? 3. How does atmospheric density change from place to place? 4. Know the 4 layers of the atmosphere (divided by temperature) and information about each (structure, etc) 5. Understand the basics of a station model (how to read one, how to create one) 6. Know the difference between kinetic and potential energy 7. What is convection and conduction of energy? Examples? 8. Understand the basics of radiation (wavelength, intensity, EM spectrum) 9. Understand the SB law: I = σT4 10. Understand Wein’s law: λmax= 2900/T 11. What do the sun and earth primarily emit, in terms of peak radiation? 12. Understand how seasons are created on earth (picture) 13. Understand how the solar angle affects radiation amounts 14. Understand absorption, reflection, and transmission 15. Understand albedo and what controls it 16. Understand the basics of the Earth energy budget diagram (not the unit numbers, but where energy can go and the pathways it takes) 17. What is the atmospheric window? 18. What is the difference between latent and sensible heat? Examples? 19. How does vegetation affect energy balances? 20. Understand the daily change of temperature at an average location, incoming and outgoing radiation, sunrise/sunset, highs and lows 21. Understand Dalton’s law of partial pressures 22. How do we adjust pressures to sea level? Why is it done? (10mb/100m) 23. How are pressure and temperature related? (Ideal gas law) 24. Understand the basics of the pressure gradient force (both in the horizontal and the vertical) 25. What is hydrostatic balance? 26. How do horizontal pressure gradients form in upper levels? Be able to read a height diagram at a constant pressure (ie 500 mb heights) 27. Understand what the coriolis force is and what it does to air flow 28. What is gradient flow? Geostrophic flow? Sub and super geostrophic flow? Examples. Force balances. 29. Be able to identify a trough or a ridge on a pressure map 30. Understand how evaporation and condensation come to equilibrium 31. What is vapor pressure? Saturation vapor pressure? 32. Specific humidity? 33. Mixing ratio? 34. Relative humidity? 35. Dew and frost points? 36. Be able to read the saturation vapor curve graphic and calculate RH and dewpoint from it. 37. What is the difference between dew, frost and frozen dew? 38. What are the 3 ways to achieve saturation? 39. What effect does curvature have on saturation? 40. What role do hygroscopic nuclei play in precipitation formation? 41. Heterogeneous versus Homogeneous nucleation – what is the difference? 42. What are the four primary lifting mechanisms in the atmosphere? 43. What is free versus forced convection? 44. Understand the concept of buoyancy and stability and be able to determine each one (#s) 45. Understand how the ELR can change (sunlight) 46. Understand how stability can change throughout the day 47. What is an inversion? Is this a stable or unstable feature? What are the primary ways inversions form? 48. Know the primary ways clouds are classified From assignments: You will not have to contour on the exam, however you are expected to know the rules of contouring, how to pick out gradients, and determine wind directions and speeds. Understand the basics of the station model, how to read one and how to create one