ASSIGNMENT 2
Textbook Assignment: “Atmospheric Physics" (Continued); “Atmospheric Circulation.” Chapters 2 and 3, Pages
2-11 through 3-29.
2-1.
When a parcel of air rises in the atmosphere,
what happens to the parcel and the surrounding
air?
1.
The parcel expands due to lessening
pressure, and its temperature, pressure, and
density increase
2.
The parcel contracts due to increasing
pressure, and its temperature, pressure, and
density decrease
3.
The parcel expands due to lessening
pressure, and its temperature, pressure, and
density decrease
4.
The parcel contracts due to lessening
pressure, and its temperature, pressure, and
density increase
2-2.
With regards to Earth’s atmosphere, which of
the
following
definitions
pertains
to
temperature lapse rate?
1.
The rate at which temperatures decrease or
increase with altitude
2.
The rate at which temperatures decrease at
night
3.
The rate of temperature decrease with
latitude
4.
The
rate
of
temperature
decrease
horizontally
2-3.
What is an inversion?
1.
A decrease in temperature with height
2.
An isothermal lapse rate
3.
An
increase
in
temperature
due
to
subsidence
4.
An increase in temperature with height
2-4.
If a parcel of air is lifted and remains
unsaturated, it will cool at which of the
following rates?
1.
1°C per 100 meters
2.
2° or 3°C per 100 meters
3.
5°C per 100 meters
4.
10°C per 100 meters
2-5.
When the actual lapse rate of a column of air is
less than the dry adiabatic lapse rate but greater
than the moist adiabatic lapse rate, what can we
say about the air?
1.
It is absolutely stable
2.
It is absolutely unstable
3.
It is conditionally stable, only
4.
It may be conditionally stable or unstable
2-6.
A maritime polar air mass moves into western
Canada and is forced aloft by the mountains of
British Columbia. Prior to being lifted by the
mountains, the layer of air between 850 mb and
500 mb was guite moist up to 600 mb and dry
above. What should you expect concerning the
stability of this layer?
1.
Instability to remain the same
2.
Instability to decrease
3.
Instability to increase
4.
Stable conditions to prevail throughout the
layer
2-7.
Where would you most likely be able to
determine the bases of convective clouds using
surface temperatures and dew points?
1.
Adak, AK
2.
San Antonio, TX
3.
San Diego, CA
4.
South China Sea
2-8.
Stratified cloud layers on the western slope of
the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia would
be an indication of which of the following
conditions?
1.
Little or no turbulence
2.
Unstable air
3.
Hazardous flying conditions along the
mountains due to strong vertical currents
4.
All of the above
2-9.
The unequal heating of Earth’s surface is due to
which of the following factors?
1.
Its axis (inclination)
2.
Its rotation
3.
Differential isolation
4.
All of the above
7
