Summary
The topics covered in this chapter can be summarized as follows:
| 15a. Introduction | Weather and Climate are different. Weather is the current state of the atmosphere, while climate is the statistical sum of weather in a region. |
|---|---|
| 15.1 The Atmosphere | The Atmosphere four layers, including the ozone in the stratosphere that protects Earth from harmful radiation.
Solar radiation is not even across the Earth, but the greenhouse effect traps heat on Earth to allow life to thrive. |
| 15.2 Weather Processes | Relative humidity can lead to the formation of clouds, fog and rainfall.
There are multiple weather phenomenon that form from moving air fronts. |
Questions for Review
- Contrast the differences in the composition and temperatures of the mesosphere, stratosphere, and troposphere.
- Compare cloud formation for the various types of clouds.
- Describe where air masses receive their characteristics and how temperature plays a role in air mass formation.
- Compare and contrast the different types of weather fronts.
- Describe the differences between tornadoes and hurricanes and how these weather events are ranked by atmospheric scientists.
- Describe how the temperature and humidity of a region relate to the air mass that sits over it.
- Compare and contrast the differences and similarities of rising and sinking air in atmospheric cells.
