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Atmospheric Sciences
Atmospheric science is the study of the atmosphere, its processes, and the interaction of the atmosphere with other systems, including the effects other systems have on the atmosphere and visa versa. Fields in Atmospheric Sciences include Meteorology, Climatology, and Aeronomy. Ask and answer questions about Atmospheric Sciences in this category.
7,660 Questions
A measure of how much moisture is in the air?
Relative humidity is a measure of how much moisture is in the air relative to the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold at a specific temperature. It is expressed as a percentage, with 100% indicating that the air is completely saturated with moisture.
Two gases kept in balance in the atmosphere by the proses of respiration?
Oxygen and carbon dioxide are two gases that are kept in balance in the atmosphere through the process of respiration. During respiration, organisms take in oxygen for cellular functions and release carbon dioxide as a byproduct. This exchange helps maintain the balance of these gases in the atmosphere.
What gas in the air is made of molecules that contain 3 atoms?
the answer is ozone...O3
water vapour (2 hydrogen, 1oxygen)
Describe 3 ways that oxygen gas is removed from the atmosphere and used?
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Which part of the earth has less heat?
The earth is hotter at its core and cooler as we look farther out. As regards the surface of the planet, it is warmer at the equator, and cooler toward and at the poles. There will be some slight variation owing to seasonal changes, but that is the basic answer.
Evaporation is what kind of process?
Evaporation is a physical process by which a liquid substance transforms into a gaseous state at a temperature below its boiling point. During evaporation, individual molecules gain enough kinetic energy to escape the liquid surface and enter the gas phase.
Why do gases mix in the Troposphere?
Gases mix in the Troposphere due to turbulence caused by convection currents, wind, and the Earth's rotation. These movements help distribute gases evenly, allowing for mixing to occur. Additionally, gravity plays a role in pulling gases downwards, promoting mixing within the lower atmosphere.
What would happen to the Earth if the ozone layer disappeared?
If the ozone layer disappeared, the Earth would be more exposed to harmful UV radiation from the sun. This could lead to higher rates of skin cancer, cataracts, and weakened immune systems in both humans and animals. It could also disrupt ecosystems and harm plant life, impacting the food chain.
What is the layers of atmosphere classified according to changes?
The layers of the atmosphere, classified according to changes in temperature, are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The temperature changes as you move upward through these layers, with the troposphere being the lowest and the exosphere being the highest layer.
The Coriolis effect is the apparent deflection of moving objects (such as air and water) on the surface of the Earth caused by the Earth's rotation. In the Northern Hemisphere, objects are deflected to the right, while in the Southern Hemisphere they are deflected to the left. This effect influences prevailing wind patterns and ocean currents.
Yes, atmospheric pressure readings are often converted to standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm or 1013.25 hPa) to allow for comparisons between different locations. This standardization helps remove the influence of temperature, elevation, and humidity on the readings, making it easier to compare pressure measurements from various sources.
Would air pressure be greater at the south pole or at the equator why?
Though it is counterintuitive, extreme cold actually lowers air pressure rather than raises it. This may be due to changes in the weather patterns. Actual observations at Amundsen-Scott Station (elevation 2835 m) show a mid-winter average barometric pressure of about 507 Torr, 23% lower than the 548 Torr expected at the same elevation at 30 degrees of latitude. Citation:
John B. West. High Altitude Medicine & Biology. December 2001, 2(4): 559-559. doi:10.1089/152702901753397153.
What are the main components in saturns atmosphere?
The main components in Saturn's atmosphere are hydrogen and helium, along with trace amounts of methane, ammonia, and water vapor. The atmosphere also contains various hydrocarbons and other organic compounds, which give Saturn its distinctive coloration and banding.
What happens during a sandstorm?
During a sandstorm, strong winds pick up and carry sand particles, reducing visibility and causing potential hazards to human health and infrastructure. Sandstorms can result in sand accumulation in outdoor areas, damage to buildings and vehicles, and respiratory issues for those exposed to the dust particles.
Why does your ear pop when you ride an airplane?
The 'pop' you hear is the pressure equalizing between the cavity or the inner ear and the outside air pressure. The reason this happens so suddenly is because the air in your inner ear comes through a tube (called the Eustachian Tube) that is linked to your mouth.
How does friction between the ground and molecules in the air affect winds near the earths surface?
Friction between the ground and molecules in the air slows down the wind at the Earth's surface. This friction creates a layer of slower-moving air near the surface referred to as the boundary layer, which influences wind speeds and patterns. Additionally, this friction can impact the direction and intensity of surface winds by creating turbulence and drag.
What Layer insulates the body from extreme temperature?
The subcutaneous layer, also known as the hypodermis, insulates the body from extreme temperatures by storing fat that helps maintain body temperature. This layer is located beneath the dermis and serves as a protective barrier against heat loss in cold conditions and heat gain in warm conditions.
What is the diagram of a molecule of carbon dioxide?
A molecule of carbon dioxide has the formula CO2, which means that there are one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms in each molecule. Each oxygen atom forms a double bond with the central carbon atom. Its structural formula is O=C=O, and the molecule is linear.
Are the holes in the ozone layer starting to fill And will they affect the climate in Antarctica?
Yes, there are signs that the ozone hole is starting to heal due to global efforts to reduce ozone-depleting substances. As the ozone layer recovers, it will have a positive impact on the climate in Antarctica by reducing harmful UV radiation and stabilizing temperature gradients, which in turn will help mitigate some effects of climate change in the region.
The ozone hole is a natural occurance, that occurs once a year at each pole. The southern polar hole is larger than the northern polar hole due to Earth's current magnetic alignment. The *size* of the hole is what is of concern... and something that the affairs of Man can play a part in. The hole is not really a hole at all, but a thinning of the Ozone layer due to a lack of sun hitting that area. Without sunlight, ozone naturally reverts into O2, a more stable oxygen form. There is no actual hole, merely a thinner layer, with about 1/3 or so the summertime level of ozone.
Ozone decays naturally with time. With the axial tilt that Earth has, once each year (local winter) each pole stops receiving the UV-C that turns some oxygen into ozone. So the ozone starts decaying, and a hole forms. The only ozone the pole gets at this time, diffuses in from areas that are still receiving UV-C. So the ozone would be exceedingly thin at this time.
Add contaminants to the mix, and the amount of ozone drastically decreases. Water vapor (natural and Man-sourced), chlorine (most commonly Man-sourced, carried by CFCs), and bromine (most commonly natural, but likely some Man-sourced, carried form example in halon) all have shown abilities in depleting ozone.
The ozone hole was discovered by Joseph Farman, Brian Gardiner, and Jonathan Shanklin in 1985. But no reason to believe that it has not existed as long as Earth has had an ozone layer (to have a hole in), an axial tilt (for winter, loss of UV-C which makes ozone), and a magnetic field (to make one hole larger than the other).
The concentration of ozone at any point is a balance of incident UV-C from the Sun (both making and destroying ozone), UV-B from the Sun (destroys ozone when absorbed), time, and compounds that can accelerate the decay of ozone.
Another view:
Briefly:
The ozone hole is a thinning of the ozone layer that occurs mostly in Antarctica where four months of winter darkness create ideal conditions for the destruction. CFCs and similar man-made gases break down the ozone in the stratosphere.
More:
The hole in the ozone layer happens because the ozone in the stratosphere is destroyed by chlorine and bromine from halogen atoms. These atoms come from man-made halocarbon refrigerator gases (chlorofluorocarbons [CFCs], freons and halons) which are emitted at ground level but move up into the ozone layer. These gases all contain chlorine and bromine.
Ozone (O3) is formed when ultraviolet (UV) light strikes an oxygen molecule (O2), converting it into two oxygen ions (O). These oxygen ions (O) combine with other oxygen molecules (O2) to form ozone (O3). Later, another oxygen ion (O) will combine with the ozone molecule (O3) to form two oxygen molecules (O2). This is the natural ozone-oxygen cycle of the earth.
The ozone layer prevents the harmful ultraviolet B-waves (UV-B) from reaching the earth. Increased exposure to UV-B is thought to be responsible for increases in skin cancer, eye cataracts and damage to plants and plankton. Because of this the nations of the world in 1989 adopted the Montreal Protocol which bans production of CFCs, halons and other ozone-depleting chemicals.
The ozone hole happens during the spring in Antarctica (Sept to Dec). Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) form during the all-dark winter. When spring arrives and UV light appears again, crystals of ice and nitric acid in these clouds help to release the chlorine and bromine atoms from the halocarbon gases. These destroy the ozone. (A single chlorine atom can continue destroying ozone for up to two years, reacting with up to 100,000 ozone molecules.)
Atmospheric gas which shields us from harmful ultraviolet rays?
Ozone is the atmospheric gas that shields us from harmful ultraviolet rays by forming a protective layer in the stratosphere. This ozone layer absorbs and filters out the majority of the sun's harmful UV radiation, preventing it from reaching the Earth's surface at dangerous levels.
When it is late winter / early spring at a pole, yes. The amount of ozone present between Earth's surface at a point in space is much decreased at that time, such that stars that emit UV, can be detected on UV-sensitive equipment.
What are some examples of convection energy?
Rising hot air, as from an old fashoned steam radiator, or the burners of a cooking range,
Steam rising from a bowl of hot soup,
Wind (hurricanes, tornadoes thunderstorms),
Filling hot air balloons,
The movement within Earth's mantle that drives the motion of Earth's tectonic plates.
What is the uppermost atmospheric layer?
The exosphere is Earth's uppermost atmospheric layer.
The thermosphere is the largest layer of the Earth's atmosphere and lies between the exosphere and mesoshpere.
Since there is no clear boundary between the exosphere and outer space, there are some who argue that it is part of outer space. However, it does have gases that slowly drift into space, eg. hydrogen and helium throughout and some carbon dioxide and oxygen at the exobase. So, most would argue that the exosphere is part of Earth's atmosphere, and that the controversy is largely a matter of semantics, and awaits improved definition.
Where can Aurora Borealis be seen?
The Aurora Borealis is a display of colored lights in the sky, also called northern lights, caused by the interaction of particles from the sun with the upper atmosphere near the North Pole. A similar display, called the Aurora Australis, occurs in the atmosphere above the South Pole.
