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Meteorology: The Science of Weather. Key variables for determining Earth’s weather Rotation of the Earth Revolution of the Earth Radiation received from the Sun Composition of the Atmosphere Nitrogen – 78% Oxygen – 21% Argon – 1% Water vapor & other gasses (solids – dust particles)
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Meteorology: The Science of Weather • Key variables for determining Earth’s weather • Rotation of the Earth • Revolution of the Earth • Radiation received from the Sun • Composition of the Atmosphere • Nitrogen – 78% • Oxygen – 21% • Argon – 1% • Water vapor & other gasses (solids – dust particles) • Grows thinner with altitude • Figure 22.2 & 22.3 • Mt. Everest – one-third compared to sea level
Meteorology: The Science of Weather Mt. Everest 29,029 ft.
Meteorology: The Science of Weather • Atmospheric Pressure • Pressure from the weight of the atmosphere above you • At sea level • 14.7 lbs./sq. in. • Decreases with altitude • What does this feel like? • Popping ears • Barometer • Water • Mercury (1643) • 29.92 in. (sea level)
Meteorology: The Science of Weather • Atmospheric Warming • Heating the Earth • Convection • Radiation • Energy Budget (Figure 22.6) • 51% absorbed by Earth’s surface • 20% reflected by cloud & other atmospheric material • 16% absorbed by the air • Greenhouse Effect • Lapse rate • 3.5 degrees / 1,000 ft. • Wind Chill & Heat Index
Meteorology: The Science of Weather • Structure of the Atmosphere • Distinct layers – determined by change in temperature (Figure 22.8) • Troposphere(0-6 mi.) • Temperature decrease stops • The weather sphere • Stratosphere (6-30 mi.) • Temperature begins to rise • Mesosphere (30-50 mi.) • Temperature begins to decrease again • Thermosphere • Temperature increases again
Meteorology: The Science of Weather • Wind • Determined by the direction of origin • Variables causing wind • Temperature & density (vertical) • Warm air rises • Decreases pressure • Cold air sinks • Increases pressure • Air pressure (horizontal) • High pressure to low pressure • Figure 22.9 • Effects of water • Figure 22.10 • Sea Breeze - Day • Land Breeze - Night
Meteorology: The Science of Weather • Global Wind Patterns • Effected by temperature & pressure • Prevailing westerlies • Northeast trade winds • Horse latitudes • Water & the Atmosphere • Humidity • Relative humidity • Psychrometer • Dew point • Frost