Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

physical geography as > ATMOSPHERE AND WEATHER DEFINITIONS > Flashcards

ATMOSPHERE AND WEATHER DEFINITIONS Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
World Geography flashcards U.S. Geography flashcards
1
Q

Weather

A

Describes the conditions in the troposphere and the air around us at a particular moment
- Short term atmospheric conditions of a place
- Only occurs in troposphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Insolation

A

Incoming solar radiation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Longwave radiation

A

the radiation released from the earth (1), usually during
night time (1), readily absorbed by atmospheric gases (1)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Energy budget

A

The amount of energy entering a system, the amount leaving it and the transfer of energy within the system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Radiation

A

The emission of electromagnetic waves such as X ray, short and
long wave; as the sun is a very hot body, radiating at a temperature of about
5700C, most of its radiation is in the form of very short wavelength such as
ultraviolet and visible light

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Convection

A

The transfer of heat by the movement of a gas or liquid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Conduction

A

The transfer of heat by contact

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Albedo

A

The % of solar radiation that is reflected back to space, by the earths surface

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Sensible heat transfer

A

Occurs when heat energy is transferred by direct
conduction or convection. It refers to the movement of parcels of air into and out of an area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Latent heat transfer

A

Heat energy absorbed or released by a substance during a change in its physical state that occurs without changing its temperature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Winds

A

Moving air masses – large bodies of air which are almost uniform
horizontally in temperature add moisture characteristics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Coriolis effect

A

The deflection of winds because of the rotation of the earth. Winds are deflected to the right in the northern hemisphere and the left in the
southern hemisphere.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Intertropical convergence zone

A

The thermal equator (ITCZ)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Jet stream

A

A strong flowing ribbon of air that flows around out planet high up in the atmosphere, around the level of the tropopause

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Humidity

A

Refers to how moist the air is due to the water vapour it contains

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Absolute humidity

A

The mass of water vapour which is present in the air at any one time

17
Q

Relative humidity

A

The amount (%) of water vapour in the air compared to that which can be held at a particular tempertaure with 100% relative humidity being saturated

18
Q

Condensation

A

When the temperature drops below the dew point, this drop in temperature causes the excess water vapour to condense into water droplets

19
Q

Dew point

A

The temperature at which the air is saturated with water molecules

20
Q

Conduction cooling

A

Moist air coming into contact with a cold object whose temperature is below the dew point of the air

21
Q

Radiation cooling

A

Air loses heat to space by long-wave radiation from clouds and gases in the atmosphere

22
Q

Expansion cooling

A

Air rises, expands and then cools causing the temperature of the air to drop and condensation to occur

23
Q

Precipitation

A

Moisture deposited on the earth’s surface in the form of a gas, solid or liquid

24
Q

Adiabatic

A

The rising and sinking of air

25
Q

Stratus

A

Layer clouds that form when there is little verticale uplift but it is over a wide area

26
Q

Cumulus

A

More vertical but isolated uplift resulting in heaped clouds with flat
bases and globular upper surfaces

27
Q

Cirrus

A

Where condensation occurs at very high levels, forming wispy clouds made of ice

28
Q

Evaporation

A

The change of state of water to a gas by the addition of heat

29
Q

Sublimation

A

The change of a solid into water vapour without going through the liquid state. It can also act in reverse.

30
Q

Melting

A

Change of state from solid to liquid

31
Q

Reflected solar radiation

A

The energy from the sun as shortwave radiation that is not absorbed but reflected by the surfaces

32
Q

Meteorology

A

Study of the atmosphere

33
Q

Climate

A

Long term atmospheric conditions of a particular place

34
Q

Atmosphere

A

An area of transparent gases surrounding the earth
-500-100km above earths surface

physical geography as (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions