Met. Intro

Question 1

What is meteorology?

Answer 1

The study of the atmosphere and its phenomena.

Question 2

define Weather

Answer 2

The current state of the atm. (cloudy, sunny)

Question 3

Definition of Climate

Answer 3

Long term average of weather, normally 30 year avg. (tropical, desert)

Question 4

Define and units Wind

Answer 4

Movement of air (speed and direction)

• 1 knot = 1.85 km/h=0.51 m/s
• westerly wind: wind blowing from the west

Question 5

Define and units of Pressure

Answer 5

Force/area

Sea level pressure = 1013.25 mb (millibars)=1013.25 hPa

Question 6

Define Density

Answer 6

mass of air molecules/ volume

Question 7

Define Temperature

Answer 7

degree of hotness or coldness

Question 8

Atmospheric composition: Permanent gases 3

Answer 8

78% N2
21% 02
1% other (argon)

Question 9

Atmospheric composition: variable components 4

Answer 9

[ ] changes over time and space
co2 (creation)- veg decay, exhalation, combustion, volcanoes, deforestation

co2 (removal)- Photosynthesis (land and ocean), chemical watering (rain and snow interact with rock)

CH4
water vapour
GHG’s

Question 10

Atmospheric composition: Aerosols

Answer 10

Tiny particles (S, Aq) suspended in the air 
from volcanoes, fires, dust, fossil fuel combustion

Question 11

Atmospheric composition: Water Vapour (gas phase H20)

Answer 11

• in S, l G
• powerful GHG
• significant impacts on the atmospheric processes

Question 12

True/false: Both air pressure and air density decrease with increasing altitude?

Answer 12

TRUE

Question 13

Temperature profile- Nose (pacman)

Answer 13

• Layers are based on temp change

- 10, 50, 85

Question 14

Troposphere (height, temp, cap, other info)

Answer 14

• Lowest (11km)
• temp decreases with height (6.5 C/ 1000m) environmental lapse rate
• contains convection current, controls weather
• capped by tropopause

Question 15

Stratosphere (height, temp, cap, other info)

Answer 15

• 11 to 50 km
• temp increases with height (temp inversion)
• contains 03, 03 warms
• capped by stratopause

Question 16

Mesosphere (height, temp, cap, other info)

Answer 16

• 50 to 90 km ASL
• v thin air 99.9 % below
• temp decreases with height
• capped by mesosphere

Question 17

Thermosphere (height, temp, cap, other info)

Answer 17

> 90 km asl

• oxy molecules absorb sunlight
• temp increase with height
• huge energy input

Question 18

Exosphere

Answer 18

> 500km asl

Question 19

Density equation

Answer 19

Density=Mass/Volume

Question 20

Pressure equation

Answer 20

pressure=Force/Area