Weather and Climate

Flashcards covering key concepts in weather, atmospheric science, and measurements relevant to the lecture notes.

What is weather?

The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place.

What is meteorology?

The study of the atmosphere and the weather.

How is wind speed measured?

Using an anemometer.

What does humidity measure?

The amount of water vapor in the air.

What is air pressure measured with?

A barometer.

What is the composition of the atmosphere primarily made of?

The atmosphere is made up of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.

What forms the ozone layer and its purpose?

Ozone (O3) forms in a layer 10-50 km up and absorbs much of the ultraviolet light striking the earth.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The process where carbon dioxide traps infrared radiation, keeping the Earth's surface warm.

What happens to temperature with every 160 meters increase in elevation?

The temperature generally drops about 1°C, known as the normal lapse rate.

What do thermometers measure?

Air temperature.

What are the two main greenhouse gases?

Carbon dioxide and methane.

What happens to the Earth’s heat at night?

The Earth loses heat to outer space because the heat is radiated away.

How does a dark, rough surface compare to a white, smooth surface in terms of insolation?

Dark, rough surfaces absorb insolation, whereas white, smooth surfaces reflect it.

What is the temperature range?

The difference between the day's high temperature and the day's low temperature.

What is the normal freezing point of water in Fahrenheit?

32°F.

What tool is used to measure wind speed?

An anemometer.

What causes mountaintops to be cold?

An increase in elevation.

What is a consequence of melting glaciers?

Sea level rises.

What does conduction refer to?

Heat transfer due to molecular collisions or direct contact.

What is convection?

The process where warm substances rise due to being less dense, and cold substances sink because they are more dense.