Study Guide I

Chapter 1

Define The Following Terms
Meteorology: The study of the climate and weather. The scientific study of the atmosphere and atmospheric
phenomena
Weather: The state of the atmosphere at any given time
Climate: A description of aggregate weather conditions. The sum of all statistical weather information that
helps describe a place or region (average weather)
Aerosols: Tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere

Answer the Questions:
List the Major Gases of the Atmosphere
Nitrogen and Oxygen (99% of atmosphere)

List the Trace Gases of the Atmosphere
Argon, Neon, Helium, Methane, Krypton, Hydrogen (less than 1%)

What are Variable Gases?
Atmosphere gases whose concentrations vary significantly from time to time and place to place

How are Variable Gases different from Trace Gases?
Trace gases are made up of any gas that makes up less than 1% of the atmosphere by volume. They are
more constant and evenly dispersed.
As for variable gases they vary in amount and concentration from place to place

List the Variable Gases of the Atmosphere? Which One is the greatest is Size?
- Water vapor, aerosols, ozone, and carbon monoxide
- Aerosols

What is the important 'non-gaseous' Component of the Atmosphere?
The greenhouse effect

List the layers of the Thermal Structure of the Atmosphere. Describe how the Temperature varies
within each of these layers.

Troposphere: Temps decrease with increase in altitude. Temps are found aloft in the tropics and not the
poles.
Stratosphere: Higher temps occur here because ozone is concentrated here. Temp begins to be constant at
20km then increases the higher up to about 45km
Mesosphere: Temps decrease with altitude until the mesopause at 80km above surface. Average temps
approach -130*F. The coldest of the atmosphere
Thermosphere: Temps increase with the absorption of shortwave, high energy solar radiation by atoms of
oxygen and nitrogen. Temps rise to 1800*F

List the Characteristics of the Troposphere.
Lowest level of the atmosphere
Pressure is the greatest here
Temperature decreases with increase of altitude
Thicker in vertical when its at its warmest - equator
Thicker in vertical in summer than it is in winter
Isothermal



Study Guide I
Chapter 2

Define the following Terms:
Plane of the Ecliptic: Plane of the Earth's orbit around the sun
Circle of Illumination: The line (great circle) separating daylight from darkness on earth
Solstice: The point in time when the vertical rays of the sun are striking either the Tropic of Cancer or the
Tropic of Capricorn. Represents the longest or shortest day of the year.
Equinox: The point in time when the vertical rays are striking the equator. In the Northern Hemisphere,
March 20 or 21 is the vernal or spring equinox & September 22 or 23 is the autumnal equinox. Lengths of day
and night are equal at all latitudes on at equinox.
Tropical Year: the time for the earth to make one revolution around the sun, measured between two vernal
equinoxes, solar year
Temperature: the measure of the degree of hotness or coldness of a substance
Heat: The kinetic energy of random molecular motion
Conduction: The transfer of heat through matter by molecular activity. Energy is transferred during collisions
among molecules
Convection: The transfer of heat by the movement of a mass or substance. It can only take place in fluids.
Advection: Horizontal convective motion. Such as wind
Albedo: The reflectivity of a substance, usually expressed as a percentage of the incident radiation reflected
Greenhouse Effect: The transmission of shortwave solar radiation by the atmosphere coupled with the
selective absorption of longer wavelength terrestrial radiation, especially by water vapor and carbon dioxide,
resulting in warming of the atmosphere


Answer the Questions:
What Difference in Orientation of the earth in relation to the sun is Most responsible for the Seasons?
The tilt of the axis of the earth

When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, what season is it in the Southern Hemisphere?
The winter

When it is spring in the Southern Hemisphere, what season is it in the Northern Hemisphere?
Fall

Why are there these Hemispheric Differences?
Because the angle at which the sun's rays strike the surface and change the length of daylight

Are there Seasons in the Polar Regions? Explain
Technically yes, but only two. Due to the rotation and tilt of the earth, the polar regions get less
energy and heat from the sun, resulting in the region staying around the same temperature. They will
experience 6 months of darkness and 6 months of continuous daylight. It will be warmer with the
daylight

Are there Seasons in the Equatorial Regions? Explain
No, not really. Because the region is set on the equator or close to it, it receives the same amount of
energy from the sun consistently. The amount of darkness at night and light during the day does not
vary. Which leads to no real big change in temperature. (The angle of the sun above the horizon and
the length of daylight)

In a few words, Explain the Processes of:
Absorption: objects that are dark (black bodies) are good absorbers of energy, which causes molecules to
vibrate faster and increase temperature
Scattering: unpredictable dispersion of light
Reflection: predictable
Transmission: substances are allowed to pass through it - water, glass, ozone

Study Guide I


State (in words) Stefan-Boltmann's Law
All bodies radiate energy. Bothe the rate and the wavelength of radiation emitted depend on the
temperature of the radiating body.

State (in words) Wein's Law
The law that describes mathematically the relationship between the temperature of a radiating body
and its wavelength of maximum emission. (The hotter the temp of the radiating body the shorter the
wavelength of the maximum emission)

Describe the Electromagnetic Spectrum. What are the wavelength ranges above and below Visible
Light called? How much of it does Visible Wavelengths compromise? What is the common
word for Infrared?
EM is the range of all possible em radiation, such as radio, microwave, infrared, light, x-rays & gamma
rays. They are arranged according to frequency and wavelength
Below = infrared and microwave , above = ultra-violet, x-rays and gamma rays
Between 0.4 and 0.7 micrometers
Heat radiation or thermal radiation

Describe the process of how a Blue Sky occurs.
Sunlight appears white, but is composed of all colors. Gas molecules more effectively scatter the
shorter wavelengths (blue and violet) when the sun is overhead, you can look in any direction away
from the direct sun & see predominately blue light, which is the wavelength more readily scattered by
the atmosphere.

Describe the process of how a Red Sunset occurs.
When the sun is seen at the horizon solar radiation must travel a great distance through the
atmosphere before it reaches our eyes. From that all the shorter wavelengths of color are scattered
out leaving light that consists mostly of oranges and reds. Numerous small particles help produce the
red-orange colors

Albedo is expressed as a Percentage. What does this Percentage describe?
It describes the amount of light (radiation) that is reflected of the object

How does the Atmosphere ensure Our Survival by it's role in the Heat Budget Process? How does
it lead to possible 'Global Warming'?
By balancing of the incoming and outgoing radiation
Because the balance is not always maintained at each latitude. So between 38*N & 38*S earth receives
more solar radiation, than is lost in space. It is the opposite for higher latitudes where more heat is lost
through outgoing long-wave radiation than is received. Since it is lost global winds are sent poleward to
help balance out. Resulting in more warmth in the poles.

From the Chapter, what are Three Ways Heat can be transferred in the Atmosphere? How does Each do
it?
Conduction: heat is transferred when Earths surface and the air immediately in contact with the surface
Convection: When heat rises and cold drops
Radiation: sunlight = insulation





Study Guide I
Chapter 16
Describe the following Terms:
Optics: visible phenomena caused by the atmosphere
Reflection: The angle of incidence (incoming ray) is equal to the angle of reflection (outgoing ray)
Refraction: The bending of light as it passes obliquely from one transparent medium to another
Dispersion: The separation of colors by refraction
Diffraction: The slight bending of light as it passes sharp edges
Interference: Occurs when light rays of different frequencies (colors) meet. Such interference results in the
cancellation or subtraction of some frequencies, which is responsible for the colors associated with coronas
PrimaryRainbow: a bow or arc of prismatic colors appearing in the heavens opposite the sun and caused by
the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays in drops of rain. refraction
Secondary Rainbow: a faint rainbow formed by light rays that undergo two internal reflections in drops of
rain, appearing above the primary rainbow and having its colors in the opposite order
Superior Mirage: A mirage in which the image appears above the true position of the object
Inferior Mirage: A mirage in which the image appears below the true location of the object

Answer the Questions:
State the Law of Reflection. Describe briefly the process of Internal Reflection
The angle of incidence (incoming ray) is equal to the angle of reflection (outgoing ray)
When light travels through a transparent material it reachesthe opposite surface & is reflected back

Why is Dispersion considered Specialized Refraction?
Because ice crystals will split the light up when oriented right

Describe the process that causes each of the following Optical Weather Phenomena

Mirage: Refraction bends gradually always toward colder air, either comes from below (inferior) or the
coldest air near the surface comes from above (superior). Goes through a fluid, happens in the atmosphere

Rainbow: light goes from the air to the water (dispersion) then internal reflections, then refraction
(rerefracted light is coming at you)

Halo: is caused by the sun coming through and passes through ice crystals. 22* halo & 46* halo
Refracted or dispersion

Sun Dog: Effect associated with halo, light passing through ice crystals that are vertically & descend slowly.
Refraction or dispersion. Only occurs when the sun is low on the horizons, sunsets or sunrise, and only in fall
and winter

Corona: goes through liquid water not ice crystals. Is produced with a thin layer of water laden clouds veil the
illuminating body. Forms because of a slight bending of light that occurs as light passes near the edges of
cloud droplets.

List the Optical Weather Phenomena involving liquid Cloud Droplets or Rainbows
Rainbows, coronas

List the Optical Weather Phenomena involving Ice Crystals
Halos
Sun pillar
Sun dogs



Study Guide I
Chapter 3
Define the following Terms:
Specific Heat: The amount of heat needed to raise 1 gram of a substance 1*C at sea level atmospheric
pressure
Diurnal: Daily, especially pertaining to actions that are completed within 24 hours and that occur every 24
hours
Sensitive Temperature: the way the human body can be comfortable according to Wind chill and Head
index
Isotherm: A line connecting points of equal air temperature.

Answer the Questions:
List the Five Controls of Temperature and Explain how each does it?
Heating of Land Vs Water
Land heats more rapidly and to higher temps than water, & it cools more rapidly and to lower temps
than water
Mobility, transmission, evaporative capacity, specific heat
Ocean Currents
Transfers warm water north & cold waters south
The transfer of heat by winds & ocean currents equalizes these latitudal imbalances
Energy is passed by moving to water through friction where the atmosphere & ocean meet causing
wind to blow across the ocean moving the surface layer of the ocean
Altitude
Temps drop with rise in altitude, as well as atmospheric pressure and density also diminish. Because
of reduced density at high altitudes, the overlying atmosphere absorbs and reflects a smaller portion
of the incoming solar radiation. With an increase in altitude, the intensity of solar radiation increases
resulting in quick high temps in the day and fast dropping cooling temps at night.
Geographic Position
Windward Coast coastal locations experience the influence of the ocean, that wind brings cooler
temps from the ocean on the shore. Cool summers, mild winters
Leeward Coast - Coastal location where prevailing wind blow the land toward the ocean. Mountains
block winds and acts as barriers which lead to continental influences
Clouds & Albedo
Many clouds have a high albedo and reflect a significant proportion of the sunlight that strikes them
back to space. By reducing the amount of incoming solar radiation day time temp will be lower than as
a clear day
At night clouds absorb what radiation is reflecting off the surface and gets trapped resulting in warmer
temps because the earth doesnt' cool off.

Name the Four Differences between Land and Water that makes them heat Differently? How does each
of these Differences contribute to this Imbalance in Heat between Land and Water?
- Water is highly mobile water conducts heat easier because it is a liquid and land is more solid so
it takes more time and energy to heat
- Land surfaces are opaque on land heat is absorbs only on the surface. Water being more
transparent allows some solar radiation to penetrate to a depth of several meters
- Specific Heat Water requires three times greater the amount of heat to raise the temperature
the same amount as an equal quantity of liquid
- Evaporation land is hotter, water is cooler, energy is required to evaporate water, when energy
is used for evaporation it is not available for heating

Why does the Afternoon High Temperature not occur at the time of Maximum Insolation?
Because of the term "lag of the maximum". The solar radiation intensity drops, but still exceeds the
amount of outgoing radiation. So there is a surplus of incoming radiation and the temperature
continues to rise.

Study Guide I
Why does the Morning Low Temperature not occur at the end of the Night's Cooling?
Because of the low angle of the sun, the earth is still radiating off more heat than it is receiving from
the sun, which causes the low temperature until about a half an hour to an hour after sunrise, when it
begins receiving radiation from the sun.

Describe the Two Major Temperature Scales
Fahrenheit used in the US, melting point of ice at 32*F and boiling point at 212*F
Celsius used everywhere else, melting point of ice at 0*C and boiling point 100*C

List the various ways an Instrument Shelter is designed to assure accurate Measurements. Why are
they 5 feet above the Ground?
Sheltered from the elements
Louvers for air exchange
Painted white
Away from hot and cold sources
5.5 feet above the surface
This was the average height of the person when this shelter was designed, so it was meant to tell the
temperature that would be at the level at the average person's head.

Describe the Concept of the Heat Index
Concept of summertime discomfort, links humidity and temperature to determine the thermal comfort
of the human body

Describe the Concept of Wind Chill
An index that uses both wind and air temperature to calculate the human sensation of temperature

How do Clouds affect the Daytime Temperature? How do Clouds affect the Nighttime Temperature?
- By day clouds block incoming solar radiation and so reduce daytime heating
- At night the clouds retard the loss of radiation by the ground and air, causing night time
temperatures to be warmer than they would have been

How do Low Clouds affect Insolation and outgoing Heat? How do High Clouds affect Insolation and
outgoing Heat?
- Low clouds will reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the earth
- High clouds will trap the outgoing heat and will continue to warm up the day, because there is the
same amount of incoming radiation but less radiation escaping