Unit 1 Exam Study Guide - Meteorology

Flashcards containing key terms and definitions from Chapters 1-5 for the Unit 1 Meteorology Exam.

Weather

The state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and visibility.

Climate

The long-term average of weather patterns in a particular area, typically assessed over a minimum of 30 years.

Atmosphere

A layer of gases surrounding a planet, essential for sustaining life and regulating temperature.

Aerosols

Tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere that can affect weather and climate.

Temperature

A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, influencing the state of matter.

Absolute Zero

The theoretical temperature at which a system's entropy reaches its minimum value and the motion of particles is minimal, measured as 0 Kelvin.

Conductor

A material that allows heat to pass through it easily, such as metals.

Insulator

A material that resists the flow of heat, such as rubber or wood.

Stefan-Boltzmann Law

A principle stating that the total energy radiated by a black body is proportional to the fourth power of its absolute temperature.

Wien's Law

A law stating that the wavelength of the peak emission of a black body is inversely proportional to its temperature.

Boiling Point of Water

The temperature at which water vapor pressure equals atmospheric pressure, varying with altitude and measured at 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit at sea level.

Freezing Point of Water

The temperature at which water changes from liquid to solid, measured at 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Radiosonde

An instrument used for measuring various atmospheric parameters such as temperature, humidity, and pressure during weather balloon flights.

Hygrometer

An instrument that measures the moisture content in the air.

Barometer

An instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure, aiding in weather forecasting.

Radar

A system that uses radio waves to detect objects and measure their distance, often used in meteorology to track precipitation.

Satellites

Space instruments used for monitoring weather patterns and collecting data about the Earth's atmosphere.

Energy Transfer

The movement of energy from one location to another, occurring through conduction, convection, or radiation.

Stefan Boltzman’s Law

describes the relationship between the temperature of an object and the amount of thermal radiation it emits. It states that the total energy radiated per unit surface area of a black body is proportional to the fourth power of its absolute temperature.

Wein’s Law

describes the wavelength at which the peak emission of radiation occurs for a black body as inversely proportional to its absolute temperature.

Relationship between wavelength and frequency of radiation

The relationship states that as the wavelength of radiation increases, its frequency decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is defined by the equation c = λν, where c is the speed of light, λ is the wavelength, and ν is the frequency.

perihelion

the point in the orbit of a celestial object where it is closest to the Sun.

aphelion

the point in the orbit of a celestial object where it is farthest from the Sun.