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 73 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?

There are actually 60 minerals, 16 vitamins, 12 essential amino acids, and three essential fatty acids that your body needs every day.

Did you know?

Giardia is one of the most common intestinal parasites worldwide, and infects up to 20% of the world population, mostly in poorer countries with inadequate sanitation. Infections are most common in children, though chronic Giardia is more common in adults.

Did you know?

When Gabriel Fahrenheit invented the first mercury thermometer, he called "zero degrees" the lowest temperature he was able to attain with a mixture of ice and salt. For the upper point of his scale, he used 96°, which he measured as normal human body temperature (we know it to be 98.6° today because of more accurate thermometers).

Did you know?

The first war in which wide-scale use of anesthetics occurred was the Civil War, and 80% of all wounds were in the extremities.

Did you know?

Only one in 10 cancer deaths is caused by the primary tumor. The vast majority of cancer mortality is caused by cells breaking away from the main tumor and metastasizing to other parts of the body, such as the brain, bones, or liver.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library