Atmosphere Ch.

11
Temperature is different from heat:
Measures average speed of the particles
Describes transfer of energy
Temperature Scale
o Fahrenheit
o Celsius
o Kelvin
Dew Point (condensation temp.)
o This varies depending on water content of the air
o When temperature reaches dew point, condensation can
occur
Vertical temperature changes
o Air cools as elevation increases
o Dry air cools at about 10C / 1000 m
o If you travel high enough, the air cools to the dew point.
This is called the lifted condensation level (LCL)
o Moist air cools at about 6C / 1000 m (cools faster
because of high heat capacity)

Pressure
Air Pressure and density
o The air near the Earths surface is denser than air
further up
o The higher you go, the lower the pressure because less
air and gravity
Temperature-Pressure relationship (a direct relationship)
o As temp. increases the pressure increases
Temperature-Density relationship (inverse relation)
o Temp. increases, density decreases
Temperature Inversions
The temperature of the air increases the higher the
elevation.
These layers act like a lid, holding in gases below.
Wind
Results from differences in temperature.
Warm air has a lower density and rises causing low pressure
Cooler air has a higher density and falls, causing high
pressure

Relative Huminity
1. Depends on; (1) how much moisture in air, (2) how much
moisture could be in the air,(3) warm air holds more moisture

Amount of moisture present

x 100
Amount of moisture possible
Moisture in the Atmosphere
Cloud Formation
Steps of making a cloud
2. Warm, moist air rises.
3. This air expands and cools
4. The air reaches its dew point
5. Water droplets condense around condensation nuclei
6. A cloud forms
Causes for warm air to rise
o Orographic lifting
o Warm air encounters cold air
Atmospheric Stability

o A stable atmosphere has no clouds, or thin, layers of

clouds.
o An unstable atmosphere will have vertical development.
Thunderstorms indicate an unstable atmosphere.
Latent Heat
o Energy required to evaporate water is stored in the
water vapor.
o When the water vapor condenses this heat is released.
Cloud Formations
Cirrus

Form high in atmosphere, made

of ice crystals, appear as thin,
white, feathery clouds

Cumulus

Flat-based, puffy white clouds

with cauliflower appearance on
top. Extends vertically several
thousand ft.

Stratus

Layered cloud that covers most

of the sky. Forms at low
altitudes. Often gray.

Cirrostratus

High, thin clouds that give sky a

milky white appearance

Cumunlonibus

Puffy, white cloud. Towering

clouds that extend upward to
heights of 2-5 miles. Cause
thunderstorms