Meteorology

The Atmosphere Compare the terms weather and climate. Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere at any given time and place. Climate is based on observations of weather that have been collected over many years.

Composition of the Atmosphere

Composition Cont. Explain ozone and its purpose in the atmosphere. Ozone is a form of oxygen that combines three oxygen atoms into each molecule (O 3 ). Ozone is used to filter out UV radiation from the sun.

Layers of Atmosphere Describe the troposphere and how temperature changes in this layer. troposphere is the bottom layer of the atmosphere where temperature decreases with an increase in altitude. This is where all the weather happens

Layers of Atmosphere Cont. What layer of the atmosphere contains ozone and temperature increase as you go up in altitude? stratosphere is the layer of the atmosphere where temperature begins a gradual increase until the stratopause. The Jet Stream and Ozone is located in this layer

Layers of Atmosphere Cont. Describe the Mesosphere and Thermosphere. mesosphere is the layer of the atmosphere characterized by decreasing temperatures with height. thermosphere is the region of the atmosphere characterized by increasing temperatures due to the absorption of very short-wave solar energy by oxygen

Heating the Atmosphere How does heat flow? Temperature- the measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in the object. Heat- is thermal energy that flows from something at a higher temperature to something at a lower temperature.

Heat Transfer Why does it take water a long time to heat up and to cool down? Specific Heat- the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1kg of some material by 1ºC Water has a high specific heat. So it takes a long time to heat up and to cool down.

Heat Transfer Explain the three ways that heat can be transferred. Conduction-the transfer of thermal energy by collision between particles in matter. Can be a solid liquid or gas. Convection-the transfer of thermal energy in a fluid by the movement of warmer and cooler fluid from place to place. Only fluids such as liquid and gas Radiation-the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves. Can travel through empty space.

What Happens to Solar Radiation? What happens to the solar radiation when it reaches the Earth? About 50 percent of the solar energy that strikes the top of the atmosphere reaches Earth’s surface and is absorbed The greenhouse effect is the heating of Earth’s surface and atmosphere from solar radiation being absorbed and emitted by the atmosphere, mainly by water vapor and carbon dioxide.

Water in the Atmosphere Name some examples of precipitation. Define humidity. Precipitation is any form of water that falls from a cloud. Humidity is a general term for the amount of water vapor in air.

Humidity What is meant by the phrase the air is saturated? Define Relative Humidity Air is saturated when it contains the maximum quantity of water vapor that it can hold at any given temperature and pressure. Relative humidity is a ratio of the air’s actual water-vapor content compared with the amount of water vapor air can hold at that temperature and pressure

Relative Humidity What happens to relative humidity when you lower the air temperature? When the water-vapor content of air remains constant, lowering air temperature causes an increase in relative humidity, and raising air temperature causes a decrease in relative humidity.

Air Pressure What is air pressure? Air pressure is the pressure exerted by the weight of air. Air pressure is exerted in all directions— down, up, and sideways

Measuring Air Pressure What instrument is used to measure air pressure? A barometer is a device used for measuring air pressure. When air pressure increases, the mercury in the tube rises. When air pressure decreases, so does the height of the mercury column.

Air Pressure and Wind How are wind and air pressure related? What is the energy source of wind? Wind is the result of horizontal differences in air pressure. Air flows from areas of higher pressure to areas of lower pressure. The unequal heating of Earth’s surface generates pressure differences. Solar radiation is the ultimate energy source for most wind.

Factors that Control wind What does the Coriolis effect do to wind in the northern hemisphere? Coriolis effect describes how Earth’s rotation affects moving objects. In the Northern Hemisphere, all free- moving objects or fluids, including the wind, are deflected to the right of their path of motion. In the Southern Hemisphere, they are deflected to the left.

Highs and Lows Compare and contrast cyclones with anticyclones. Cyclones are centers of low pressure. Move counter clockwise motion. Associated with bad weather Anticyclones are centers of high pressure. Move clockwise motion. Associated with Fair weather.