PHYS-2400 Study Guide - Comprehensive Midterm Guide: Forced Convection, Buoyancy, Climatology
Document Summary
Atmosphere a mixture of gas molecules, suspended solid and liquid particles, and falling precipitation. Meteorology the study of the atmosphere and the processes that cause weather. Climatology the study of the same elements as meteorology, but on a long-term scale. Scientific method: framework for answering scientific questions. Scientific theory a hypothesis that has not been proven false using the scientific method. Residence time the average length of time that individual molecules of a given substance remain in the atmosphere. Homosphere: the lowest 50 miles of the atmosphere, vertical motion in this area is more important than gravitational settling. Heterosphere: all atmosphere above 50 miles above sea level, gases segregate according to their molecular weight. Permanent gases found everywhere in nearly the same proportion: nitrogen. Accounts for 78% of the volume of all permanent gases. Accounts for 75. 5% of the mass of all permanent gases.
