Energy and Weather - Earth Science Flashcards
What does a sling psychrometer measure?
The amount of moisture in the air
What does a wind anemometer measure?
Wind speed
What does a weather vain tell you?
Which way the wind is blowing / wind direction
What does a barometer do?
Measures air pressure measured in millibars or inches of mercury (Hg)
Temperatures tend to be coolest in the _________ and warmest in the ___________
- Morning
- Afternoon
Temperature is related to…
- Cloud cover
- Sun intensity
- Air movements
Factors that affect atmospheric pressure
- When air cools it contract and become more dense and sinks - atmospheric pressure rises
- When air heats it expands, becomes less dense and, rises - atmospheric pressure decreases (inverse relationships)
- Humid air is actually LESS dense than dry air - water molecules are lighter than N2 gas molecules - Atmospheric pressure decreases as humidity increases.
When the air is holding as much moisture as possible it is _________
Saturated
The _______ the air the more _________ it can hold
- hotter
- moisture
High and ________
dry
What can hold more moisture….cool air or warm air
warm air
What is a dew point?
The temperature the air must be cooled to to become fully saturated.
What happens when the temperature drops to its dew point?
condensation occurs as water vapor turns into liquid (precipitation)
What conditions would more likely have precipitation?
- A temperature close to its dew point
- A temperature that is far away from its dew point
A temperature close to its dew point
What does a wet bulb measure?
cooler temp due to evaporation of wet wick
