History of Meteorology
The writer of the book "Meteorologica" that gave meteorolgoy its name
Aristotle
How does a heat engine work?
It's powered by the contrast between hot and cold
What is a sunspot?
What is relative humidity?
How full of water the air is. (How much moisture it contains divided by how much it COULD contain at that temp)
One thing human did to predict/try to control the weather before modern meteorology
Offerings to gods, rain dances, stars/ astronomy
Why is it June hotter than December in Vermont?
Because the Earth's axis is tilted so that the rays of the sun hit us more directly in June.
What causes a solar flare?
When the geomagnetic vortices get entangled and a large burst of energy comes out of the sun.
Why does humidity make heat more dangerous
Because it slows down evaporation of sweat
One reason it is important to be able to predict the weather
What are the three types of heat transfer?
Convection, conduction, radiation
What happens to solar emissions as they approach the Earth?
It is 29C and a RH of 60% in city A and it is 35C with a RH of 0% in city B, which city "feels" hotter?
City A
Meteorology is the study of...
The lower atmosphere and how it affects the weather.
Why would a cloudy night be hotter than a clear night, all other factors equal?
The clouds trap the heat radiating off the Earth.
What is a solar super storm?
A massive coronal mass ejection.
Why does wind make extreme cold more dangerous?
Because it blows away body heat
Joseph Henry did this, which led to the creation of the US National Weather Service
Gave weather instruments to people around the country and had them telegram daily measurements and conditions to DC.
Why does North Africa not absorb as much solar radiation during the summer as the areas of the world that surround it?
The sand has greater albedo (reflect sunlight back into space) and doesn't absorb and hold onto as much heat.
How can solar emissions affect our lives and our infrastructure?
Disrupt satellite communication, shut down power grids, affect water systems...
How does a heat dome form?
Pressure traps rising heat and prevents it from escaping