Weather and Climate Set 2

Question 1

Air Masses

Answer 1

Large bodies of air with distinct characteristics of temperature and humidity. They develop over stable areas where they adopt the characteristics of the ground surface.

Question 2

Atmospheric Heat Budget

Answer 2

A model that describes the overall balance between incoming and outgoing heat from the earth-atmosphere system

Question 3

Cold Front

Answer 3

On a synoptic weather chart, a line drawn to mark the forward edge of colder air approaching and undercutting warmer air

Question 4

Condensation Nuclei

Answer 4

Microscopic particles such as dust and volcanic ash that forms part of the nucleus of raindrops and are essential for the process of condensation

Question 5

Coriolis Effect

Answer 5

The effect of Earth’s rotation on: the movement of air, direction of ‘spin’ and tracks of tropical cyclones

Question 6

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Answer 6

The increase in natural greenhouse effect resulting from the emission of additional greenhouse gases from human activities

Question 7

Greenhouse Effect

Answer 7

The term used to describe the recent rise in global average temperatures attributed largely to human activities

Question 8

Hurricanes

Answer 8

Intense tropical storms formed over warm oceanic areas in summer

Question 9

Insolation

Answer 9

The term used to describe the amount of short wave radiation that reaches the ground surface having passed through the atmosphere

Question 10

Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

Answer 10

The zone of convergence and subsequent rising air at the surface boundary of the 2 Hadley Cells in equatorial regions. Its associated with the formation of tropical cyclones

Question 11

Isobars

Answer 11

On a synoptic weather chart lines joining points of equal pressure

Question 12

Latent Heat

Answer 12

In the atmosphere, heat released or absorbed when a change of state takes place in water. Latent heat is released when water condenses and is absorbed when evaporation occurs

Question 13

Occluded Front

Answer 13

On a synoptic chart, a type of front formed when a cold front catches up and merges with a warm front

Question 14

Particulates

Answer 14

Solid particles held in the atmosphere, often emitted from factories, power stations and vehicle exhausts, often considered to be a form of pollution

Question 15

Polar Front

Answer 15

The boundary between the Polar Cell and the Ferrel Cell associated with instability and uplift

Question 16

Pressure gradient

Answer 16

On a synoptic weather map, the difference in pressure between 2 points, indicated by the closeness of isobars. Steep Pressure Gradient= strong winds (isobars close together)

Question 17

Smog

Answer 17

A type of air pollution associated with calm conditions and involving a mix of particulates and fog

Question 18

Solar Radiation

Answer 18

Incoming short wave energy from the sun

Question 19

Storm Surge

Answer 19

A rise in the level of the sea and subsequent inundation of low-lying coastal land, caused by the passage of intense low pressure such as a hurricane

Question 20

Sub tropical cyclone

Answer 20

A broad zone of high pressure resulting from sinking air between the Hadley and ferrel cells

Question 21

Synoptic chart

Answer 21

A map or chart that makes use of standard symbols to show features of weather

Question 22

Temperature inversion

Answer 22

A reversal in the normal trend for temperature to decrease with increasing altitude. They commonly occur during clear, calm nights when dense cold air sinks beneath warmer air, forming frost and fog

Question 23

Terrestrial Radiation

Answer 23

Heat emitted from the earth’s surface min the form of long wave radiation

Question 24

Urban heat island

Answer 24

The warmer conditions experienced by a city compared with the neighbouring countryside

Question 25

Warm Front

Answer 25

On a synoptic weather chart, a line drawn to mark the forward edge of warmer air approaching and overriding colder denser air

Question 26

Weather

Answer 26

The day to day state of the atmosphere