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topic 1 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is meteorology?

A

The science of the atmosphere, including weather and climate.

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2
Q

Define weather.

A

Short-term atmospheric conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, precipitation).

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3
Q

Define climate.

A

Long-term patterns and averages of weather over time.

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4
Q

What is the troposphere?

A

0-11 km, where weather occurs; temperature decreases with altitude.

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5
Q

What is the stratosphere?

A

11-50 km, contains ozone layer; temperature increases with altitude.

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6
Q

What is the mesosphere?

A

50-85 km, temperature decreases with altitude.

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7
Q

What is the thermosphere?

A

85-500 km, absorbs high-energy solar radiation; temperature increases.

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8
Q

What are the permanent gases in the atmosphere?

A
  • Nitrogen (78%)
  • Oxygen (21%)
  • Argon (0.9%)
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9
Q

What are variable gases in the atmosphere?

A
  • Water vapor (H2O)
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2)
  • Methane (CH4)
  • Ozone (O3)
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10
Q

What characterizes the first atmosphere of Earth?

A

Hydrogen (H) and Helium (He) – lost due to weak gravity.

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11
Q

What characterized the second atmosphere of Earth?

A

CO2, H2O, NH3 from volcanic eruptions.

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12
Q

What is the current atmosphere composed of?

A

Oxygen (O2) from photosynthesis, nitrogen (N2) from volcanic activity.

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13
Q

What is good ozone?

A

In the stratosphere, absorbs UV radiation.

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14
Q

What is bad ozone?

A

Near the surface, causes smog and health issues.

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15
Q

What are aerosols?

A

Solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere (e.g., dust, smoke, volcanic ash).

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16
Q

What is kinetic energy?

A

Energy of motion (e.g., moving air molecules).

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17
Q

What is potential energy?

A

Stored energy (e.g., compressed air, drawn bow).

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18
Q

What does temperature measure?

A

The average kinetic energy of molecules.

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19
Q

What are the units for measuring temperature?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Kelvin (K)
  • Celsius (°C)
  • Fahrenheit (°F)
20
Q

What is the conversion formula from Celsius to Kelvin?

Study These Flashcards
A

K = °C + 273.16

21
Q

What is the conversion formula from Celsius to Fahrenheit?

Study These Flashcards
A

°F = 1.8 × °C + 32

22
Q

What is conduction?

Study These Flashcards
A

Heat transfer through a solid (e.g., metal rod heating).

23
Q

What is convection?

Study These Flashcards
A

Heat transfer through a fluid (e.g., warm air rising).

24
Q

What is radiation?

Study These Flashcards
A

Heat transfer via electromagnetic waves (e.g., sunlight).

25
Define heat.
The transfer of energy due to a temperature difference.
26
What is specific heat capacity?
The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance.
27
What is latent heat?
Heat absorbed or released during a phase change (e.g., evaporation, condensation).
28
What is the first law of radiation?
All objects with a temperature above absolute zero emit radiation.
29
What does the Stefan-Boltzmann Law state?
Higher temperature = more radiation emitted.
30
What does Wien’s Law state?
Higher temperature = shorter wavelength radiation.
31
What does Kirchhoff’s Law state?
Good absorbers of radiation are also good emitters.
32
What type of radiation does the Sun emit?
Shortwave (visible light).
33
What type of radiation does the Earth emit?
Longwave (infrared radiation).
34
What is the greenhouse effect?
Greenhouse gases (CO2, H2O, CH4) absorb and re-radiate infrared radiation, warming the Earth.
35
What would Earth's temperature be without the greenhouse effect?
Around -18°C.
36
Define atmospheric pressure.
Force per unit area.
37
How is atmospheric pressure measured?
In millibars (mb) or hectopascals (hPa).
38
What is the standard atmospheric pressure at sea level?
1013.25 mb.
39
How does pressure change with altitude?
Pressure decreases with altitude.
40
What factors affect temperature?
* Time of day * Latitude * Altitude * Surface type * Ocean currents * Clouds
41
What is the main reason for Earth's seasons?
Earth’s tilt (23.5°) is the main reason for seasons.
42
Why are summers warmer than winters in the Northern Hemisphere?
* Longer daylight hours in summer * Higher solar angle in summer concentrates sunlight.
43
What is albedo?
The measure of reflectivity of a surface.
44
Give an example of a surface with high albedo.
Snow.
45
Give an example of a surface with low albedo.
Asphalt.

Meteorology (1 decks)

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