Meteorology 330 - Study Guide for Exam #1

TOPICS:   Introduction to the course; origin of the universe and the earth’s atmosphere; composition and thermal stratification of the atmosphere; nature of solar radiation; radiation and the earth’s heat balance; the magnetosphere and Aurora Borealis; measures of humidity.

COMPETENCIES: You should know and be able to explain the following:
  1. Explain how the earth and the other planets in the solar system formed.
  2. List the planets classified as Terrestrial planets and those classified as Jovian planets.
  3. Discuss the major differences between Terrestrial and Jovian planets.
  4. Explain how the earth’s atmosphere evolved.
  5. List the most abundant gases in the atmosphere.
  6. Discuss the compositional stratification of the atmosphere.
  7. Describe the nature of the ionosphere and its relation to radio transmission.
  8. Explain the nature of solar radiation including the names of the various wavelengths.
  9. Explain the origin of the ionosphere and the ozonosphere.
  10. Describe the nature of the ionosphere and its relation to radio transmission.
  11. Explain why the temperature profile in the atmosphere warms throughout the stratosphere and the thermosphere
  12. Explain how the intensity of solar radiation is related to the area over which this radiation is distributed.
  13. What are the equinoxes and when do they occur?
  14. Describe the nature of the solstices. When do they occur?
  15. Describe changes in solar energy received throughout the year at the Equator (0o lat.)? At River Falls, WI (45o N lat.)? At the North pole (90o N lat.).
  16. Discuss the losses of solar radiation due to reflection.
  17. Discuss the losses of solar radiation air to absorption.
  18. Explain why the lowest temperature of the day usually occurs at dawn.
  19. Explain how low level temperature inversions develop.
  20. Describe how urbanization can effect the earth’s heat balance.
  21. Be able to explain how time zones are determined.
  22. Be able to sketch the earth’s magnetic field
  23. Explain how the Aurora Borealis develop.
  24. Describe the various phase changes of water that occur in nature.
  25. Explain how latent heat is either liberated or absorbed when each of the phase changes of water occur.
  26. Define relative humidity and explain how relative humidity can change during the day.
  27. Explain how relative humidity is determined from a sling psychrometer.
  28. Define dew point temperature.
  29. Define absolute humidity.
  30. Define specific humidity.
Key Terms: 
Big Bang TheoryElectromagnetic energy
DegassingIonosphere
OutgassingOzonosphere
Red ShiftKennelly-Heaviside layer
Terrestrial PlanetsPhotodissociation
Jovian PlanetsGamma Rays
HomosphereX-rays
HeterosphereGreenhouse Effect
TroposphereUltraviolet Rays
TropopauseVisible Light
Stratosphere Microwave Radiation
Stratospause Radar Radiation
MesosphereTV Radiation
MesopauseEnvironmental temperature lapse
ThermosphereGround Radiation
Subsolar pointCounter Radiation
Circle of illuminationLatent heat of vaporization
Solar constantAphelion
Relative humidityHeat Islands
EquinoxPrinciple meridian
SolsticeMagnetosphere
PerihelionSolar flares
Dew point temperatureAurora Borealis
LangleyAurora Australis
Tangent radiationAir Glow
AlbedoSolar Wind
Sun spotsFusion
SublimationVaporization
Sensible heatLatent heat of fusion
Latent heatLow level temperature
Sling psychrometerAbsolute humidity
Prime meridianSpecific humidity

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Pagemaster: Barbara Greub    Last updated: 10/22/99