Meteorology

Front 1

meteorology

Back 1

study of the earth's atmosphere

Front 2

Earth's atmosphere

Back 2

four layers, distinguished by patterns of temperature change; troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere

Front 3

troposphere

Back 3

closest layer to Earth's surface; responsible for weather patterns; location of the greenhouse effect- water vapor and carbon dioxide trap heat energy that is reflected back into atmosphere

Front 4

stratosphere

Back 4

contains most of the ozone; temperature increase with altitude

Front 5

mesosphere

Back 5

coldest layer of the atmosphere; present gases do not absorb much radiation

Front 6

thermosphere

Back 6

temperatures increase with altitude

Front 7

composition of atmosphere

Back 7

99% of atmosphere is nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%);

Front 8

humidity

Back 8

amount of water vapor present in the atmosphere; area is determined by the rates of condensation and evaporation (hotter=more humidity) (increase in water vapor=increase in condensation); relative and absolute humidity

Front 9

dew point

Back 9

when the rate of evaporation and condensation are equal , atmosphere is saturated

Front 10

frost point

Back 10

when the dew point falls below the freezing temperature of water, frost forms as water vapor condenses to ice crystals

Front 11

clouds

Back 11

are an accumulation of water droplets or ice crystals that form by the condensation of water vapor in the atmosphere; lifting condensation point- altitude where the air mass has reached the saturation point and cloud formation begins; water vapor forms on solid or gas particles (condensation nuclei); stratus, cumulus and cirrus

Front 12

stratus clouds

Back 12

low clouds that form close to the Earth's surface; form when a warm air mass is located above a cooler air mass; sheet-like or layered

Front 13

cumulus clouds

Back 13

fair weather; piled up; warm air mass rises and cools; can also bring thunder, lightning and severe rain

Front 14

cirrus clouds

Back 14

high altitude clouds, formed by ice crystals; wispy shape

Front 15

air mass

Back 15

is large body of air that has a similar temperature and moisture content throughout; generated over a source region (polar source or tropical source); maritime (wet, warm or cold) and continental (dry, warm or cold)

Front 16

low pressure area

Back 16

air is warmed, molecules separate and rise in the atmosphere

Front 17

high pressure area

Back 17

air is cooled, molecules condense and fall in the atmosphere

Front 18

frontal systems

Back 18

is the contact zone between two different air masses, often create a change in weather; frontal lifting- cool air sinks below warm air; cold front- cold air mass advances into a warm air mass (stormy weather); warm front- warm air mass advances into a cold air mass (light rain, snow, winds); occluded front- both fronts merge (rain event); stationary front- neither front is strong enough to overpower

Front 19

climate

Back 19

average temperature and weather event in an area

Front 20

seasons

Back 20

effected by the tilt of the Earth and its revolution around the Sun