WX 201 - Exam #1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Permanent Gases in the Atmosphere - Answers-Constant concentration in the
atmosphere
78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 1% Other Gases: Argon, Neon, Helium, Krypton,
Hydrogen
Variable Gases in the Atmosphere - Answers-The amount/concentration in the
atmosphere varies or changes
Includes: Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Ozone
water vapor is (invisible/visible)? - Answers-invisible
At what altitudes and latitudes would the highest water vapor concentrations be
observed? - Answers-near the surface and at the equator
Greenhouse Gases - Answers-gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor,
and ozone which trap heat in the atmosphere
What do greenhouse gases do? - Answers-absorb infrared radiation emitted by the
Earth and re-radiate some of the radiation back down to the surface (acts like a blanket)
At what rate is carbon dioxide increasing in the atmosphere? - Answers-0.039% and
rising
Climate Change - Answers-change in the statistical properties of the climate system
when considered over periods of decades
Where is the ozone layer? - Answers-Stratosphere (50,000'-100,000' MSL)
What does the ozone layer do? - Answers-protects Earth's surface by absorbing UV
rays from the Sun
CFC (Clorofluorocarbon) - Answers-man made molecule that can deplete thousands of
ozone molecules
What is "bad" ozone? - Answers-greenhouse gas, toxic and reactive, creates smog
What is the most abundant variable gas? - Answers-water vapor
, _______ air can hold more water than _______ air - Answers-warm, cool
Latent Heat - Answers-the energy absorbed or released during a change in state (ex.
H2O)
Evaporation - Answers-absorbs latent heat, cooling surroundings, main source of water
vapor
Condensation - Answers-releases latent heat, warming surroundings, main sink of water
vapor
Where is "bad" ozone located? - Answers-in the troposphere near the surface in
industrial areas
What is an aerosol? - Answers-tiny solid or liquid suspended particles of various
composition in the atmosphere
Ex. dust, clay, pollutants, smoke, salt, ash, fog
An atom or molecule is ionized when - Answers-it gains or loses an electron
In a permanent gas, the sources and sinks are - Answers-balanced
In a variable gas, the sources and sinks are - Answers-unbalanced
What does water vapor do? - Answers-leads to the development of clouds and
precipitation
What causes the annual cycle of Carbon Dioxide? - Answers-when the Northern
Hemisphere is in winter, there are less plants to absorb carbon dioxide so the
percentage goes up
Why is there an ozone hole over the Southern Hemisphere during spring? (Sept.-Nov.) -
Answers-the ozone layer over the Antarctic is dramatically thinned in spring due to
CFC's and polar stratospheric clouds
Since the turn of this century, CO2 in the atmosphere has - Answers-been increasing in
concentration
Meteorology is the study of what? - Answers-the atmosphere
The only substance near the earth's surface that is found naturally in the atmosphere as
a solid, liquid, and a gas - Answers-water
Ideal Gas Law - Answers-P ∝ DT
pressure is proportional to density and temperature
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller GEEKA. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $12.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.