Meteorology test vocab

Question 1

movement of energy in the form of waves; travels through all directions **does not require medium

Answer 1

Radiation

Question 2

trapping of the suns energy by the earth

THIS IS A NATURAL PROCESS

Answer 2

Greenhouse effect

Question 3

average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules in a particular substance

Answer 3

Temperature

Question 4

the energy transferred from one object to another because of a difference in their temperatures

Answer 4

Heat

Question 5

when light bounces off an object

Answer 5

Reflection

Question 6

heat transfer where 2 objects are in direct contact **requires medium

Answer 6

Conduction

Question 7

heat transfer where 2 objects aren’t in direct contact **requires medium

Answer 7

Convection

Question 8

produces larger # of weaker rays that travel in different directions

Answer 8

Scattering

Question 9

lines on a map that connect places of equal temperature

Answer 9

Isotherm

Question 10

the fraction of total radiation that is reflected by any surface

Answer 10

Albedo

Question 11

water that falls from the atmosphere to Earth

Answer 11

Precipitation

Question 12

solid —> gas (skip liquid); up in Energy

Answer 12

Sublimation

Question 13

gas—> solid (skip liquid); down in Energy OPPOSITE OF SUBLIMATION

Answer 13

Deposition

Question 14

amount of water vapor in the air

Answer 14

Humidity

Question 15

% of moisture air can hold

Answer 15

Relative humidity

Question 16

the temperature at which water vapor condensates @ which evaporates

Answer 16

Dew point

Question 17

suspended particles that provide the necessary surfaces for cloud forming condensation

Answer 17

Condensation nuclei

Question 18

piled thick fluffy masses “piles” that produce good weather; low clouds

Answer 18

Cumulus

Question 19

thin and wispy high clouds made up of ice crystals, mean good weather

Answer 19

Cirrus

Question 20

low sheets, covering, produce rain (medium height)

Answer 20

Stratus

Question 21

the state of the given atmosphere at a given time/ place (short term condition of the atmosphere)

Answer 21

Weather

Question 22

observations of weather over a long period of time (long term like 30 yrs average of weather conditions/ extremes)

Answer 22

Climate

Question 23

blanket of gas surrounding Earth

Answer 23

Atmosphere

Question 24

layer that filters most UV radiation and all of the sun’s UV rays

Answer 24

Ozone

Question 25

horizontal air movement

Answer 25

Layers

Question 26

vertical air movement

Answer 26

Piles

Question 27

fine drops.. less than .5mm in diameter

Answer 27

Drizzle

Question 28

larger drops.. .5mm--> 5mm diameter

Answer 28

Rain

Question 29

falls in clumps of 6-sided crystals

Answer 29

Snow

Question 30

acid drops that fall to ground

Answer 30

Acid Precipitation

Question 31

measures relative humidity

Answer 31

Psychrometer

Question 32

large clouds that grow up and produce very large thunderstorms

Answer 32

Cumulonimubus

Question 33

instrument used to measure temperature

Answer 33

Thermometer

Question 34

2nd layer in the atmosphere, temp increases as you get closer to mesosphere; where ozone layer is; where aircraft fly

Answer 34

Stratosphere

Question 35

4th layer in atmosphere; temperature increases (2500 degrees C); space shuttles and auroras ; tiny bit of atmosphere

Answer 35

Thermosphere

Question 36

3rd layer in atmosphere; temp decreases as altitude increases; where meteors burn up;

Answer 36

Mesosphere

Question 37

closest layer to the surface; temp decreases as altitude increases

Answer 37

Troposphere

Question 38

5th and farthest layer; atoms escape into space; satellites orbit

Answer 38

Exosphere

Question 39

June 21/22 the Northern Hemisphere is leaning 23.5 degrees towards the sun, making it the 1st day of SUMMERRRR

Answer 39

Summer Solstice

Question 40

3 oxygen atoms bonded together (O3 ozone symbol); absorbs 99% of harmful UV rays; result of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's)

Answer 40

Ozone layer

Question 41

December 21/22 the Northern Hemisphere leans 23.5 degrees away from the sun, first day of WINTERRR

Answer 41

Winter Solstice

Question 42

September 22/23 is the midway point of the solstices and is the first day of FALLLLL

Answer 42

Autumnal Equinox

Question 43

March 21/22 the midway point of solstices; first day of Spring(ew)

Answer 43

Spring Equinox

Question 44

gas--> liquid

Answer 44

Condensation

Question 45

most important gas in the atmosphere

Answer 45

Water vapor

Question 46

particles not packed; High Engery; assume both volume and shape of the container

Answer 46

Gas

Question 47

particles packed together loosely; moderate energy; particles retain volume but assume the shape of the container

Answer 47

Liquid

Question 48

Particles packed tightly; low Energy; retain shape and volume

Answer 48

Solid

Question 49

liquid--> solid; down in Energy

Answer 49

Freezing

Question 50

gas--> liquid; down in Energy

Answer 50

Condensation

Question 51

solid--> liquid; up in Energy

Answer 51

Melting

Question 52

liquid--> gas; up in Energy

Answer 52

Evaporation