EESB04H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Lapse Rate, Vapor Pressure, Cloud Condensation Nuclei
30 Sep 2017
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Dry adiabatic lapse rate: dry air that ascends in the atmosphere expands and cools down at a fixed rate of 1 deg. Adiabatic process: a body of air cools or warms w/o there being an exchange of energy w/ the surrounding air. Heating of sea or a wet land surface causes evaporation moist air ascends. Saturation vapour pressure: pressure exerted by water vapour molecules in the air, when the air is saturated w/ water vapour. Dew point (td): relative humidity (rh) = 100% and temp is > 0 deg. C: condensation water vapour turns into liquid water formation of clouds. Frost point (tf): rh = 100% and temp is < 0 deg. C: sublimation water vapour turns to ice formation of clouds. Cloud: a visible mass of v. small water droplets and/or ice crystals (when temps are low) floating in the atmosphere. Condensation, freezing, and sublimation release energy in form of heat.
