Effects on thermal structure

Question 1

Nitrogen, Oxygen and Argon represent what % of the atmosphere?

Answer 1

99.97%

Question 2

What is the definition of the upper limit and what height is is located at?

Answer 2

Where the composition of the atmosphere ceases to be constant. Located at 85KM

Question 3

List the 3 properties of the atmosphere

Answer 3

Mobile, Occupies space and has weight

Question 4

Half the weight of the atmosphere is located below:

Answer 4

5.5km or 18000ft

Question 5

List the 4 most important components of the atmosphere

Answer 5

Water Vapor
Carbon Dioxide
Ozone
Impurities

Question 6

Water vapor in the atmosphere is produced by what 2 things, mainly

Answer 6

Evaporation

Evapotranspiration

Question 7

Carbon dioxide absorbs _____ amount of terrestrial radiation and a _____ amount of solar radiation

Answer 7

Large

small

Question 8

Most of the atmospheric radiation is due to:

Answer 8

Ultraviolet solar radiation, free electrons and cosmic radiations on oxygen molecules

Question 9

At what altitude is most of the ozone found?

Answer 9

between 15 and 40 km

Question 10

Why is ozone so important

Answer 10

It stops ultraviolet solar radiation from reaching the earth

Question 11

What do the atmospheric impurities consist of?

Answer 11

Mineral debris
Vegetable matter
bacteria
and particles of sea salt

Question 12

What is water vapor’s main effect on radiation

Answer 12

Solar: A little absorption
Terrestrial: absorption

Question 13

What is carbon dioxide’s effect on radiation:

Answer 13

Solar: Transmission
Terrestrial: Absorption

Question 14

What is Ozone’s effect on radiation:

Answer 14

Solar: Absorption
Terrestrial: A little absorption in the PBL

Question 15

What are atmospheric impurities’ effect on the atmosphere:

Answer 15

Solar: scattering
Terrestrial: Absorb and scatter

Question 16

What is the relationship between the temperature of a substance and the amount of electromagnetic radiation it can emit

Answer 16

The higher the temperature the more radiation it will emit

Question 17

What are the 2 lower thermal subdivisions of the atmosphere and what is the transition zone that separates them?

Answer 17

Troposphere
Stratosphere
Tropopause

Question 18

The troposphere contains what % of the total weight of the atmosphere?

Answer 18

75%

Question 19

What is the average altitude of the troposphere?

Answer 19

11km

Question 20

What interaction does the stratosphere have with the troposphere?

Answer 20

It acts as a giant lid on the overturning of the tropopause

Question 21

what are 4 characteristics of the stratosphere?

Answer 21

1. minute amounts of water vapor
2. solid particles are rarely found there
3. there are few clouds and no precipitation
4. Most of the ozone is located there

Question 22

What 2 rare phenomena take place in the thermosphere?

Answer 22

Aurora, and noctilucent clouds

Question 23

Explain how the absorption of solar radiation by ozone affects the thermal structure of the atmosphere

Answer 23

Ultra violet radiation is transformed into heat during the destruction and creation of ozone. this is why the stratosphere temperature increase with altitude.

Question 24

state how the troposphere is heated or cooled

Answer 24

The combined effect of terrestrial radiation and conduction causes the PBL to be heated or cooled from below.

Question 25

Define Albedo

Answer 25

The ratio of radiation reflected by a substance to the radiation striking this substance

Question 26

List the 7 factors that affect the range of diurnal surface temperature variations

Answer 26

1. Angle of incidence
2. Albedo
3. Length of daylight
4. Heat capacity
5. Water vapor
6. Wind
7. Cloud cover

Question 27

What are the 3 greenhouse gases?

Answer 27

Carbon dioxide
water vapor
ozone