Climatology

Question 0

What is weather

Answer 0

The conditions of the atmosphere at any place over a limited period of time

Question 1

What is the atmosphere

Answer 1

A layer of gas that surrounds the earth

Question 2

What is Climate

Answer 2

The atmospheric condition of an area measured over an extended period of time over 20 years

Question 3

Why is the atmosphere essential for life

Answer 3

It has essential gasses 
Shields us from intense heat 
Transfers energy 
Regulates temperature 
Causes water processes

Question 4

Name the permanent gasses in atmosphere

Answer 4

Nitrogen , oxygen , Argon

Question 5

What is the purpose of nitrogen and oxygen

Answer 5

Nitrogen:plant growth
Oxygen:photosynthesis

Question 6

What are variable gasses ?

Answer 6

Gases that vary from place to place and from time to time

Question 7

Name the 2 most important variable gasses

Answer 7

Carbon dioxibe , water vapour

Question 8

What do variable gasses do

Answer 8

Influence climatic processes

Question 9

Give 3 examples of microscopic solid particles

Answer 9

Dust , salt , smoke

Question 10

What do microscopic solid particles do

Answer 10

Influence raindrop formation and the greenhouse effect

Question 11

How thick is the atmosphere

Answer 11

335km thick

Question 12

Where are the first 90% of gasses found in the atmosphere

Answer 12

In the first 20km

Question 13

What are the layers of the atmosphere separated by

Answer 13

Transition layers

Question 14

Name all the parts of the atmosphere in increasing altitude

Answer 14

Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere

Question 15

Name the height of the layers of the atmosphere

Answer 15

Troposphere: poles :8-10km equator: 18km
Stratosphere: up to 50 km ,
Mesosphere :80km
Thermosphere : +- 80km

Question 16

Temperature of atmospheric layers

Answer 16

Troposphere : decrease with height to -50
Stratosphere :increases with height to 0
Mesosphere : decrease with height to -90
Thermosphere : increases with height to 1500

Question 17

Characteristics of atmospheric layers

Answer 17

Troposphere: active weather , clouds and dust present

Stratosphere: ozone absorbs ultraviolet rays , wind speeds increase with height

Mesosphere: no water vapour , clouds or dust , high wind speeds

Thermosphere: shield earth from lethal high energy radiation

Question 18

What is used to measure wind speed and give measurement

Answer 18

Anemometer , knots

Question 19

What is used to measure air pressure and state unit of measurement

Answer 19

Barometer , hectopascals

Question 20

What is insulation

Answer 20

Incoming solar radiation

Question 21

What is Terrestrial radiation

Answer 21

The heat given off by the earths surface

Question 22

Name 3 ways from which heat from the sun is transferred

Answer 22

Radiation
Conduction
Convection

Question 23

What is radiation

Answer 23

Heat transferred through electromagnetic waves

Question 24

What is Conduction

Answer 24

Transfer of heat in solids when stationary molecules touch

Question 25

What is Convection

Answer 25

Transfer of heat in gasses through movement in molecules

Question 26

What is advection

Answer 26

Vertical movement

Question 27

What is convection

Answer 27

Horizontal movement

Question 28

Name 3 ways insolation is reduced

Answer 28

Scattering , reflection and absorbtion (S.A.R)

Question 29

How is the atmosphere warmed

Answer 29

The atmosphere is warmed by the earth

Question 30

What is the greenhouse effect

Answer 30

When water vapor and carbon dioxide absorb and reflect heat , preventing it from escaping

Question 31

What is radiant energy

Answer 31

Solar energy emitted by the sun as short waves

Question 32

How much of radiant energy reaches earths surface

Answer 32

Only half

Question 33

What is solar constant

Answer 33

Amount of radiant energy reaching the troposphere

Question 34

Name the greenhouse gasses

Answer 34

Carbon dioxide , water vapour , ozone , methane , cfc,s and nitrous oxide

Question 35

What is global warming

Answer 35

When the levels of greenhouse gasses are increasing in the atmosphere and raise the earths average temperature

Question 36

Name factors affecting temperature along a horizontal

Answer 36

Latitude , relief , distance from sea , ocean currents , influence of winds ,

Question 37

What is aspect

Answer 37

The direction an object is facing

Question 38

What holds more water vapour , warm or cold air ?

Answer 38

Warm

Question 39

What is humidity

Answer 39

Amount of water vapour in the air

Question 40

What determines amount of water vapour in air

Answer 40

Temperature

Question 41

What is saturated air

Answer 41

Air that can hold no more water vapour

Question 42

What is unsaturated air

Answer 42

Air that has water vapour but can hold more

Question 43

When does condensation occur

Answer 43

At dew point

Question 44

What is relative humidity

Answer 44

Amount of water vapour in the air divided by max amount of water vapour the air can hold at that temperature times 100

Question 45

What is used to measure humidity

Answer 45

Wet and dry bulb thermometer

Question 46

What is dew point

Answer 46

The temperature at which a specific volume of air will condense

Question 47

What determines dew point

Answer 47

Amount of water vapour in the air