1: Atmospheric Basics
- Page ID
- 46078
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By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
- Convert between temperature units of Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin
- Use mathematical formulas to define atmospheric temperature, pressure, and density
- Compute pressure and density changes with altitude
- Describe the vertical structure of Earth’s atmosphere
- Define and apply the ideal gas law
- Describe hydrostatic balance
- Discuss the difference between weather and climate
- Note the location of terminology, coordinate systems, and units for future reference
- 1.1: Introduction
- This page discusses the Earth's atmosphere as a vital layer that supports life by providing oxygen, regulating temperature, and influencing weather. It likens the atmosphere to a thin blanket around the planet, highlighting its indispensable role in creating a hospitable environment. The chapter serves as an introduction to atmospheric science, detailing its fundamental features and the importance of the atmosphere in making Earth a livable and beautiful place.
- 1.2: Overview of Earth’s Atmosphere
- This page explains the importance of solar radiation in driving Earth's processes and weather patterns while detailing the composition and structure of the atmosphere, primarily nitrogen and oxygen. It describes how air pressure decreases with altitude and how temperature, a measure of kinetic energy, typically decreases as well. It also provides information on temperature scales and conversions, highlighting the significance of Kelvin in scientific measures.
- 1.3: Equation of State — Ideal Gas Law
- This page explains air pressure as a result of air molecule collisions, influenced by density and temperature, and summarized through the Equation of State and Ideal Gas Law. It discusses the relationship between temperature, air density, and pressure in atmospheric columns, noting that while surface pressures can be equal despite temperature differences, pressure at higher altitudes varies.
- 1.4: Hydrostatic Balance
- This page discusses how atmospheric pressure decreases with height, creating a pressure gradient that drives air movement from high to low pressure. It explains that gravity prevents air from escaping into space, maintaining a hydrostatic balance. The hydrostatic equation connects pressure changes to height, but for significant variations, an exponential equation is more suitable for understanding pressure with altitude.
- 1.5: Hypsometric Equation
- This page explains how atmospheric pressure decreases with height and is affected by temperature, resulting in different layer thicknesses. Warmer air creates thicker layers, whereas cooler air results in thinner ones. It introduces the hypsometric equation, which calculates pressure level thickness using average temperature and can incorporate virtual temperature to factor in moisture effects.
- 1.6: Layers of the Atmosphere
- This page explains the vertical structure of Earth's atmosphere, detailing how pressure, density, and temperature vary with altitude across different layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere. It highlights the troposphere's role in weather, the stratosphere's temperature inversions due to ozone, the coldness of the mesosphere, and the hot, low-density thermosphere.
- 1.7: Weather and Climate- What’s the Difference?
- This page explains the difference between weather and climate, highlighting that weather pertains to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to long-term weather patterns. It uses clothing choices as an example to illustrate the impact of each concept, noting that weather affects daily attire and climate influences broader purchasing decisions. Recognizing these distinctions is essential for discussions about climate change.
- 1.8: Chapter 1 Reference Guide- Coordinate Systems, Units, Terminology
- This page covers essential meteorology concepts, focusing on coordinate systems for analyzing wind and atmospheric data, including Cartesian, polar, and cylindrical coordinates. It explains wind direction and speed, notes Earth's oblate spheroid shape, and details meridians and parallels used in cartography.