This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: Describe why cities are generally warmer than surrounding rural areas. What will be the ideal ... (Read 124 times)

MirandaLo

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 538
Describe why cities are generally warmer than surrounding rural areas.
  What will be the ideal response?

Question 2

What is atmospheric stagnation and when might it occur?
  What will be the ideal response?



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

samiel-sayed

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 337
Answer to Question 1

ANSWER: For more than 100 years, it has been known that cities are generally warmer than surrounding rural areas. This region of city warmth, known as the urban heat island, can influence the concentration of air pollution. The urban heat island is due to industrial and urban development. In rural areas, a large part of the incoming solar energy evaporates water from vegetation and soil. In cities, where less vegetation and exposed soil exists, the majority of the Suns energy is absorbed by urban structures and asphalt. Hence, during warm daylight hours, less evaporative cooling in cities allows surface temperatures to rise higher than in rural areas. At night, the solar energy (stored as vast quantities of heat in city buildings and roads) is slowly released into the city air. Additional city heat is given off at night (and during the day) by vehicles and factories, as well as by industrial and domestic heating and cooling units. The release of heat energy is retarded by the tall city walls that do not allow infrared radiation to escape as readily as do the relatively level surfaces of the surrounding countryside. The slow release of heat tends to keep nighttime city temperatures higher than those of the faster cooling rural areas.

Answer to Question 2

ANSWER: Light winds and poor vertical mixing can produce a condition known as atmospheric stagnation. The atmospheric conditions resulting in air stagnation usually occur during particular weather patterns. For example, a region under the domination of a surface high-pressure area or ridge often experiences clear skies, light winds, and a subsidence inversion. Moreover, where warm air rides up over cold surface air, such as ahead of an advancing warm front, stable atmospheric conditions promote the trapping of pollutants near the surface. On the other hand, the strong and gusty winds and generally less-stable air behind a cold front usually results in good dispersion.




MirandaLo

  • Member
  • Posts: 538
Reply 2 on: Jul 13, 2018
:D TYSM


amynguyen1221

  • Member
  • Posts: 355
Reply 3 on: Yesterday
Excellent

 

Did you know?

The most dangerous mercury compound, dimethyl mercury, is so toxic that even a few microliters spilled on the skin can cause death. Mercury has been shown to accumulate in higher amounts in the following types of fish than other types: swordfish, shark, mackerel, tilefish, crab, and tuna.

Did you know?

Asthma-like symptoms were first recorded about 3,500 years ago in Egypt. The first manuscript specifically written about asthma was in the year 1190, describing a condition characterized by sudden breathlessness. The treatments listed in this manuscript include chicken soup, herbs, and sexual abstinence.

Did you know?

The oldest recorded age was 122. Madame Jeanne Calment was born in France in 1875 and died in 1997. She was a vegetarian and loved olive oil, port wine, and chocolate.

Did you know?

Cutaneous mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection that has been fatal in at least 29% of cases, and in as many as 83% of cases, depending on the patient's health prior to infection. It has occurred often after natural disasters such as tornados, and early treatment is essential.

Did you know?

The most common childhood diseases include croup, chickenpox, ear infections, flu, pneumonia, ringworm, respiratory syncytial virus, scabies, head lice, and asthma.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library