Chapter 7 | GEOG 2050 - PHY GEOG ATMOSPHERE, Quizzes of Geography

Download Chapter 7 | GEOG 2050 - PHY GEOG ATMOSPHERE and more Quizzes Geography in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 Out gassing DEFINITION 1 As planet forms, water from within comes to the surface and out gasses continuing process where water and water vapor emerge from layers deep within and below the Earth's crust TERM 2 Worldwide Equilibrium DEFINITION 2 Water most common compound on the surface of Earth Reached present volume by about 2 billion years ago Even though same amount exists, sea-levels change TERM 3 Eustasy DEFINITION 3 describes global sea-level condition refers to changes in water volume (not quantity) TERM 4 Glacio-eustatic DEFINITION 4 when glaciers melt (or form) TERM 5 Distribution of earth's water today DEFINITION 5 71% of earth is covered by water TERM 6 Water content of atmosphere DEFINITION 6 If all water in the atmosphere were condensed, would be 1 inch deep globally TERM 7 Unique Properties of Water DEFINITION 7 Even though most common compound, it exhibits 2 uncommon properties Heat properties TERM 8 Hydrogen bonding DEFINITION 8 the bonding between water molecules creates surface tension causes capillarity (Ex: dry towel on a wet surface) TERM 9 To change state DEFINITION 9 energy must release or be absorbed Ice-solid phase Water-liquid phase water vapor- gas phase TERM 10 3 phase changes DEFINITION 10 Evaporation Condensation Sublimation TERM 21 Vapor Pressure DEFINITION 21 the share of air pressure that is made up of water vapor molecules Recall: N2 (78%) and O2 (21%) and H2O (>1%) TERM 22 Saturation vapor pressure DEFINITION 22 air that contains as much water vapor as possible at a given temperature TERM 23 Specific humidity DEFINITION 23 a measure that remains constant as temperature and pressure change Mass of water vapor (in grams) per mass of air (in kg) Specific humidity stays constant despite volume changes Also known as the "mixing ration" Useful in describing moisture contents for large masses that are interacting in a weather system TERM 24 Atmospheric Stability DEFINITION 24 Step One: An air parcel is... Warm - low density Cold - higher density Step Two: 2 opposing forces Upward- buoyant force Downward- gravitational force TERM 25 Stability DEFINITION 25 the tendency of an air parcel to remain in place or to move vertically (either up or down) TERM 26 Stable DEFINITION 26 resists movement or returns to original position when no longer disturbed TERM 27 Unstable DEFINITION 27 continues to rise until reaches an altitude where surrounding air has the same density and temperature TERM 28 Diabatic DEFINITION 28 with heat exchange TERM 29 Adiabatic DEFINITION 29 warming and cooling rates for a parcel of expanding/ compressing air Cool by expansion Warm by compression No heat exchange No energy is gained or lost to the surrounding environment Very important concept to remember Ascending (descending) air tends to cool (warm) by expansion (compression) due to reduce (lower) altitude TERM 30 Dry Adiabatic Rate (DAR) DEFINITION 30 air less than saturated 10 degrees C/ 1000 meters (average) TERM 31 Moist Adiabatic Rate (MAR) DEFINITION 31 air saturated 6 degrees C/ 1000 meters (average) Also called Wet Pseudo adiabatic rate Lifting water vapor to condense into water droplets, releasing the latent heat of vaporization and warming the air. thus, the air cools at a slower rate TERM 32 Environmental lapse rate (ELR) DEFINITION 32 the actual lapse rate at a particular place and time TERM 33 Stable and unstable conditions DEFINITION 33 The relationship between DAR and MAR and ELR produces 3 atmospheric conditions Unstable - ELR > DAR Conditionally unstable - DAR > ELR > MAR Stable - DAR & MAR > ELR TERM 34 Stability and Clouds DEFINITION 34 Eventually as the air parcel continues to rise and cool, it may achieve the dew point temperature, saturation, and achieve condensation TERM 35 Lifting Condensation Level DEFINITION 35 LCL point of saturation Where clouds start to form Y = Td RH = 100%