chapter 4

Question 1

Describe the relationship between the kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules composing a
substance and the temperature of that substance.

Answer 1

a. Temperature is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules
composing a substance. Therefore, as the average kinetic energy of a substance increases, so
does its temperature.

Question 2

The Kelvin scale has no negative values. Explain why.

Answer 2

a. The Kelvin scale is the best representation of average kinetic molecular energy. When a
substance has a temperature of 0 K it is at “absolute zero” and essentially has no kinetic energy
because all molecular motion has ceased. A substance cannot have negative kinetic energy.

Question 3

What is meant by the response time of a thermometer? What type of thermometer has the
fastest response time?

Answer 3

Response time refers to the rapidity at which an instrument resolves changes in temperature.
Electrical resistance thermom

Question 4

Explain how heat transfer follows the second law of thermodynamics.

Answer 4

a. Heat transfer follows the second law of thermodynamics by flowing from where the
temperature is higher to where it is lower.

Question 5

Distinguish between sensible heating and latent heating of the atmosphere. Which is more
important on a global annual average basis?

Answer 5

a. Latent heating refers to the transport of heat energy through phase changes of water. Heat is
absorbed from the environment when ice melts, liquid water evaporates, or snow sublimates
(vaporizes). Heat is released to the environment when water freezes, water vapor condenses, or
water vapor deposits as ice. Sensible heating includes both conduction and convection. On a
global average annual basis, latent heating is more important than sensible heating

Question 6

During which phase changes of water is latent heat released to the environment?

Answer 6

a. Latent heat is released during freezing, condensation, and deposition.

Question 7

On a global annual average basis, what is the most important process in cooling Earth’s
surface?

Answer 7

a. Latent heat transfer associated with evaporation is the most important cooling process at
Earth’s surface on a global annual average. It is more important than radiational cooling and
sensible heat transfer.

Question 8

Explain how thunderstorms transfer heat from Earth’s surface to the middle and upper
troposphere.

Answer 8

a. During a thunderstorm, sensible heating combines with latent heating to channel heat from
Earth’s surface into the troposphere. Convection currents surge to great altitudes to form
cumulonimbus clouds.

Question 9

. Identify the mechanisms involved in poleward heat transport within the Earth-atmosphere
system.

Answer 9

a. The three mechanisms involved with poleward heat transport are air mass exchange, storm
systems, and ocean currents.

Question 10

Provide some examples of how Earth’s surface properties influence air temperature in the
lower troposphere.

Answer 10

a. Properties on Earth’s surface that influence air temperature are snow cover and moisture.
Snow has a relatively high albedo and reduces the amount of solar radiation that is absorbed. Dry
soil has less moisture for vaporization and more of the available heat is channeled into raising the
air temperature through convection and conduction

Question 11

all matter is composed of molecules r particles in what kind of motion ?

Answer 11

Vibrational rotational continual and or translational

Question 12

Energy represented by continual, vibrational, rotational and or translational motion is called

Answer 12

Kinetic energy

Question 13

What is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of atoms or molecules composing a substance

Answer 13

Temperature

Question 14

Energy that encompasses all the energy in a substance, which includes kinetic and potential energy arising from forces between atoms/ molecules

Answer 14

Internal energy

Question 15

When two substances are brought together with different kinetic energy, energy is always transferred from warmer objects to colder.

Answer 15

Heat is energy in transit

Question 16

What is a bimetallic thermometer?

Answer 16

Two strips of metal with different expansion contraction rates

Question 17

Name the four types of thermometers

Answer 17

thermograph, electrical residence thermometer, bimetallic or liquid in glass

Question 18

What is a themograph?

Answer 18

measures and records temperature

Question 19

What is a temperature gradient?

Answer 19

change in temperature over distance

example the hot equator and cold poles

Question 20

What are the four heat flow/transfers in the atmosphere

Answer 20

Radiation conduction convection and latent hear -phase changes in water

Question 21

What is the second law of thermodynamics> ?

Answer 21

Heat flows toward lower temperature so as to eliminate the gradient

Question 22

This is both a form of energy and a means of energy transfer; it occurs even in a vaccuum such as space

Answer 22

radiation

Question 23

Absorption of radiation by an object causes the temperature of object to rise

Answer 23

Converts electromagnetic energy to heat
Radiational heating
Absorption at greater rate than emission
Radiational cooling
Emission at greater rate than absorption

Question 24

What part of the heat transfer processes is conduction?

Answer 24

Transfer of kinetic energy of atoms or molecules by collision between neighboring atoms or molecules

Question 25

What part of the heat transfer process is heat conductivity?

Answer 25

Rate of heat transport across an area to a temperature gradient
Some materials have a higher heat conductivity than others
Solids (metal) are better conductors than liquids
Liquids are better than gases (air)

Question 26

Heat Transfer Processes convection

Answer 26

Consequence of differences in air density
Transport of heat within a substance via movement of substance itself
Substance must liquid or gas
Very important process for transferring heat in atmosphere
The convection cycle
Ascending warm air expands, cools and eventually sinks back to ground

Question 27

Heat Transfer processes latent heating

Answer 27

Movement of heat from one location to another due to phase changes of water
Example: evaporation of water, movement of vapor by winds, condensation elsewhere

Question 28

What is thermal inertia

Answer 28

Resistance to a change in temperature

Large body of water exhibits greater resistance to temperature change than land because of difference in specific heat

Question 29

What is maritime climate

Answer 29

Immediately downwind of the ocean experience much less annual temperature change

Question 30

What is a continental climate

Answer 30

locations well inland experience greater annual temperature change

Question 31

Heat transfer processes

Convection means

Answer 31

The transfer of heat within a fluid via motion of fluid itself. Although conduction takes place in solids liquid and gases convection generally occurs only in liquids or gases

Question 32

What is a thermograph ?

Answer 32

Hey since there may be connected to a pen and a clock driven drum to produce a continuous trace temperature with time