MET 260 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Cloud Condensation Nuclei, Thermosphere, Water Vapor
Document Summary
Chapter 1: composition and structure of the atmosphere: Be able to distinguish between weather and climate. Weather (notes)- the state of the atmosphere at a particular location and time, usually determined by temperature, moisture, precipitation, and winds. Climate(book)- statistical properties of the atmosphere, including measures of average conditions, variability, ect. Climate(notes)- the average prevailing weather for a given region, characterized by temperature, moisture, precipitation, and winds. *note that climate data can not predict weather, its not just average weather, its variations and extremes, probilities and frequencies. Describe the thickness of the atmosphere and vertical distribution of gases within it. The atmosphere is contained in a relatively shallow envelope surrounding the planet. 99% of the atmosphere is within 30km of the earths surface. Given this shallowness, the motion over large areas is largely horizontal. Although, given the impact of vertical motion, turn out to determine much of the atmospheric behavior.
