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

Author Question: List the scales of atmospheric motion from smallest to largest and give an example of each. From ... (Read 17 times)

P68T

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 509
List the scales of atmospheric motion from smallest to largest and give an example of each. From what you know about the various types of wind systems, are the size and duration related?
   
  What will be the ideal response?

Question 2

You are hiking on a mountain trail at sunrise when you smell the smoke from cooking bacon. You can't see where the smoke is coming from. Would you expect the camp to be above you or below you on the mountain? Explain.
  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

Mochi

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 300
Answer to Question 1

ANSWER: The atmospheric scales of motion are divided into four categories - the microscale, mesoscale, synoptic scale, and planetary (global) scale or macroscale.

Microscale circulations have diameters of a few meters or less. They form by convection or by the wind blowing past obstructions and are usually short-lived, lasting only a few minutes at best. They are only capable of dispersing smoke, swaying branches and swirling dust and papers into the air.

The next larger scale is the mesoscale (meaning middle scale). Typical mesoscale circulations range from a few kilometers to about a hundred kilometers in diameter. Generally, they last longer than microscale motions, often many minutes, hours, or in some cases as long as a day. Mesoscale circulations include local winds (which form along shorelines and mountains), as well as thunderstorms, tornadoes, and small tropical cyclones.

The synoptic scale, or weather-map scale describes circulations around high- and low-pressure areas. Circulations of this magnitude dominate regions of hundreds to even thousands of square kilometers and, although the life spans of these features vary, they typically last for days and sometimes weeks. These include large hurricanes and typhoons as well as the frequent midlatitude storm systems that bring rain, snow, and wind.

The largest wind patterns are seen at the planetary (global) scale. Here, we have wind patterns ranging over the entire earth. Sometimes, the synoptic and global scales are combined and referred to as the macroscale.

On the synoptic scale the duration of a wind system can be variable, but in general, the size and duration of the wind system are related to the scale of motion.

Answer to Question 2

ANSWER: Both mountain and valley breezes develop along mountain slopes. During the day, sunlight warms the valley walls, which in turn warm the air in contact with them. The heated air, being less dense than the air of the same altitude above the valley, rises as a gentle upslope wind known as a valley breeze. At night, the flow reverses. The mountain slopes cool quickly, chilling the air in contact with them. The cooler, more-dense air glides downslope into the valley, providing a mountain breeze. Typically, the downslope mountain breeze reaches its peak intensity in the early morning hours, usually just before sunrise. Hence, it can be assumed that the camp is located above you.




Mochi

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 300

 

Did you know?

Not getting enough sleep can greatly weaken the immune system. Lack of sleep makes you more likely to catch a cold, or more difficult to fight off an infection.

Did you know?

Your chance of developing a kidney stone is 1 in 10. In recent years, approximately 3.7 million people in the United States were diagnosed with a kidney disease.

Did you know?

HIV testing reach is still limited. An estimated 40% of people with HIV (more than 14 million) remain undiagnosed and do not know their infection status.

Did you know?

The National Institutes of Health have supported research into acupuncture. This has shown that acupuncture significantly reduced pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee, when used as a complement to conventional therapies.

Did you know?

More than 4.4billion prescriptions were dispensed within the United States in 2016.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library