atm midterm

specific humidity q=

mass of vapor/ total mass of moist air

the altitude where the temperature equal the potential temperature?

1000 mb

Change of enthalpy (ΔH):

ΔH = Q = mc_p ΔT

adiabatic process is

a thermodynamic change where no heat or matter is exchanged between a system and its surroundings

What are the two properties of seawater that determine buoyant accelerations in the ocean

T and salinity

relative humidity (convert to hPa)

vapor pressure Td / saturation vapor pressure T

dew point Td = T

where air must be cooled to reach saturation

LCL lifting condensation level:

where lifted parcel becomes saturated

LFC level of free convection

above parcel is warmer than environment and rises on its own

Evaporation does what to latent heat

consumes and warms

Condensation does what to latent heat

releases and cools (forms cloud)

Composition of dry air near surface

N2 = 78, O2 = 21, Ar = 0.93, Co2=0.04, water vapor =0-4

Troposphere (Tz)

cools with height

Stratosophere (Tz)

warms (ozone)

mesosphere

cools

thermosphere (Tz)

warms

Ozone, O3 layer in stratosphere does what

heats it, so T increases with height

Hydrostatic Balance : dp/dz = -pg

upward pressure gradient force, balances gravity, how atm stays wrapped around earth

latitude

angle N/S

longitude

angle E/W

ice albedo feedback (positive feedback)

warming melts ice → absorbs sunlight → lowers albedo and causes warming

ice albedo feedback (negative feedbacl)

cooling freezes ice → less sunlight absorbed → increases albedo and causes cooling

why float better in salt water

seawater = denser and more buoyant

if parcel is lighter than surroundings

it accelerates

1st law of thermodynamics

energy is conserved

adiabatic process

rising air expands, does work and cools, sinking air warms and compresses

Joule’s experiment

work = thermal energy

Stability classification when ELR < MALR

absolutely stable

Stability classification when ELR > DALR

Absolutely unstable

Stability classification when MALR < ELR < DALR

conditionally unstable

ELR = DALR

neutral

4 air lifting mechanisms

orographic, front, convergence and convection

solar constant

d = 1/d²