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EVSC 3300 - Exam One questions with verified solutions
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EVSC 3300 - Exam One questions with verified solutions
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EVSC 3300 - Exam Onecomposition of atmosphere near Earth's surface - correct answer ✔✔Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Neon,
Helium, Hydrogen, Xenon, etc.
weather - correct answer ✔✔-the condition of the atmosphere at a particular location and moment
-these atmospheric conditions include, among others, temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed and
direction, cloud cover, and precipitation
what causes weather? - correct answer ✔✔-the effect of the Sun on the Earth
--differences in density and pressure as a result of differences in temperature
climate - correct answer ✔✔-of a region, is the condition of the atmosphere over many years
--the average of weather
-described by long-term averages of atmospheric conditions such as precipitation
climatology - correct answer ✔✔study of climate
-climatologists and climate scientists also study changes of climate in the past and for the future
meteorology - correct answer ✔✔study of:
-weather variables -- temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed and direction, cloud cover,
precipitation
-the processes that cause weather
-the interaction of the atmosphere with the Earth's surface and ocean
natural disasters - correct answer ✔✔hurricanes, tornados, floods, blizzards/snow/ice
what is the atmosphere? - correct answer ✔✔-a fluid
-a thin layer surrounding the Earth
,-mainly a mixture of invisible gas with some solid and liquid particles that stays in place on account of
the force of gravity
-Earth's diameter = ~8000 miles
-atmosphere = ~100 miles
atmospheric composition - correct answer ✔✔-permanent and variable gases
aerosols
permanent atmospheric gases - correct answer ✔✔-nitrogen: 78.08%
-oxygen: 20.95%
-argon: .93%
-neon: .0018%
-helium: .0005%
-hydrogen: .00006%
-xenon: .000009%
variable atmospheric gases - correct answer ✔✔-water vapor: 0-4% by volume
-CO2: 410ppm (.041% by volume)
-CH4: 1.8ppm (.00018% by volume)
-N2O nitrous oxide: .3ppm (.00003%)
-ozone: .04ppm (.000004% by volume)
-particles (dust, soot, etc.): .01-.15ppm (.000001% by volume)
-chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): .0001ppm (.00000001% by volume)
evolution of the Earth's atmosphere - correct answer ✔✔-4.5 billion years ago: hydrogen and helium
-volcanic eruptions --> water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrogen
-Earth's cooling --> clouds --> surface water
-carbon dioxide dissolved and accumulated in oceans
-bacteria in water (first) and vegetation (later) produce oxygen (photosynthesis)
,-nitrogen is chemically stable and accumulated in the atmosphere
-variable gases are vital to meteorology and climatology
--to understand atmospheric concentrations of trace gases, their sources and sinks need to be
investigated
Oxygen (20.95%) - correct answer ✔✔SOURCES:
-photosynthesis
-ocean phytoplankton
SINKS:
-decay of organic matter
-oxidation
-combustion
-respiration
Nitrogen (78.08%) - correct answer ✔✔SOURCES ("denitrification"):
-decaying plant and animal matter
SINKS ("nitrogen fixation"):
-soil bacteria
-lightning -- hot enough to break N2 and form nitrous oxides (NOx)
Water Vapor (0-4%) - correct answer ✔✔-greenhouse gas (something that reabsorbs IR radiation from
Earth's surface)
SOURCES:
-evaporation (liquid to water)
-sublimation (ice to vapor)
-transpiration
SINKS:
-condensation (vapor to liquid)
, -deposition (vapor to ice)
-precipitation
Water cycle:
-sublimation, deposition, melting/evaporation
Carbon Dioxide - correct answer ✔✔greenhouse gas
SOURCES:
-biomass decay
-respiration
-combustion
-deforestation
-volcanic eruptions
SINKS:
-photosynthesis
-ocean phytoplankton
-dissolved directly into ocean surface
Atmospheric CO2 concentration chart:
--KEELING CURVE
Average Mauna Loa CO2:
-Dec. 2023: 421.86ppm
-Dec. 2022: 418.99ppm
Methane (1.9ppm) - correct answer ✔✔greenhouse gas
SOURCES:
-anaerobic environments
--wetlands, rice paddies
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