Name: ____________________________________
Date: _____________
METEOROLOGY I REVIEW
THIS REVIEW SHEET IS JUST AN OUTLINE AND SHOULD BE USED TO STUDY ALONG WITH
THE NOTES AND HANDOUTS FROM CLASS
Weather
Climate
Atmosphere: layer of gases surrounding Earth
Nitrogen: 78%
Oxygen: 21%
Trace Gases: 1%
Layers of the Atmosphere:
Troposphere: lowest layer. All weather occurs here. Most water vapor found here. Greatest
density and pressure because most mass is here
Stratosphere: Second layer of the atmosphere. Ozone layer (which blocks harmful ultraviolet
radiation) is located here
Mesosphere: Third layer of the atmosphere. Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) are found here.
Meteors start to burn up
Thermosphere: outermost layer of the atmosphere. Too few air molecules for thermometers to
make accurate reading
Air Pressure: weight of all gases and molecules. Measured by a barometer
Gravity: force that pulls in a downward direction. Holds air close to the Earth. Strongest at
Earth’s surface
Air pressure: pushes in all direction. Greatest in valleys. The higher the altitude, the lower the
air pressure
Factors that affect air pressure:
Temperature: the higher the temperature (warmer), the lower the air pressure
Water vapor (humidity): Moist air has LESS pressure than dry air
Warm air is less dense than cold air
Warm air rises (because it is less dense)
Cold air sinks (because it is more dense)
Water Cycle: Caused be heating of Earth from sun
Evaporation: phase change of water from liquid to gas. One way water enters atmosphere
Transpiration: “plant sweat” water released from plants evaporate and enter atmosphere
Evapo-transpiration
Condensation: phase change of water from gas (vapor) to liquid. Cloud formation
Precipitation: water falling to Earth
Infiltration: water that sinks into the ground
Runoff: water on Earth’s surface
Types of Precipitation: Explain how each of the following form
Snow: temperature in clouds below freezing. Crystals
Sleet: frozen raindrops
Hail: ice beads
Wind: caused by unequal heating of Earth’s surface. Know the difference between wind and current
Clouds: How do clouds form?
Fog is a very low cloud
Cumulus clouds are light and fluffy. They usually mean that weather will be fair (good)
Thunderhead brings heavy rain thunder and lightning. Usually occur in summer. Hail
Stratus clouds are rain clouds. Thick gray blanketing clouds
Cirrus clouds signal that it will rain/snow in a day or two. Very high, wispy, feather-like
Humidity: amount of water vapor in the air
High humidity: lots of water vapor
Low Humidity: little water vapor
Relative Humidity: amount of water vapor in the air compared with the amount of water vapor the air
can hold. Percentage
Practice Questions
1. The primary cause of winds is the
a. uniform density of the atmosphere
b. unequal heating of the Earth's atmosphere
c. friction between the atmosphere and the lithosphere
d. rotation of the Earth
2. Which layer of the atmosphere contains the greatest concentration of Earth’s gasses
a. Troposphere
b. Mesosphere
c. Stratosphere
d. Thermosphere
3. Most atmospheric weather occurs in the
a. Troposphere
b. Mesosphere
c. Stratosphere
d. Thermosphere
4. Identify the different components of the water cycle labeled in the diagram below
B
5. As altitude increases, air pressure
a. Increases
b. Decreases
c. Remains the same
d. Increases, then decreases
6. Which process must occur for clouds to form?
a. Precipitation
b. Condensation
c. Rotation
d. Gravity