Assignment #1 The Atmosphere

Question 1.
Ans A.
From the given figure we can find that the insolation received at 30-degree S latitude
on June 1st is 200 W/m2
Ans B.
According to figure 3.10 in Gervais, Physical Geography 28% of insolation is reflected
by the components (Clouds and atmosphere)
Therefore,
28% of 200 W/m2
= 56 W/m2
Ans C.
According to figure 3.10 in Gervais, Physical Geography 24% of insolation is absorbed
by the components (Clouds and atmosphere)
Therefore,
24% of 200 W/m2
= 48 W/m2

Ans D.
According to figure 3.10 in Gervais, Physical Geography 48% (45% absorbed and 3%
reflected) of insolation is transmitted through the atmosphere and received at the
surface
Therefore,
 48% of 200 W/m2
= 96 W/m2

Question 2.
A.)
The annual temperature at given places is affected by following factors: -
1. Victoria, British Columbia: -
The temperature at Victoria is affected by its Maritime location (east coast)
and low elevation. The temperature range is controlled by the presence of the
oceans in the east of the city. The prevailing westerly winds blowing from the
Pacific Ocean keep Victoria’s winter temperature substantially higher.

2. Winnipeg, Manitoba: -
The factors that explain the temperature range is continental location and the
elevation. The city is in the middle of the north American continent and has a
relatively higher elevation which causes humid continental climate over
Winnipeg. The higher temperature range is explained as there is no sea to
regulate temperatures.

3. Halifax, Nova Scotia: -

Halifax’s temperature range is influenced by the surrounding ocean. It is the
East coast and therefore experience continental climate as the continental air
passes through this region.

4. Resolute Bay, Nunavut: -

The temperature range of Resolute Bay is controlled by its latitude as it is
situated away from Equator in high latitudes and experience lower surface
temperature.
B.)
The maximum temperature is different for Winnipeg and Resolute bay because
Resolute Bay is at a much higher latitude than Winnipeg. Resolute Bay receives very
less insolation as compared to Winnipeg as sunlight becomes more diffuse away
from equator. Also, the cold polar easterlies are responsible for low maximum
temperature of Resolute Bay.
C.)
The difference between the temperature patterns of Halifax and Victoria is due to
their location and latitude. Halifax is situated on the east coast of North America,
while Victoria is on the west coast. Victoria receives excess heat from prevailing
winds, while Halifax does not, which is why Victoria is much warmer than Halifax in
winters.

Question 3
Ans A.
The saturated vapour pressure of an air parcel at a temperature of 12 oC is
approximately between 8.0g/m3 and 8.5g/m3
Ans B.
Relative Humidity is given as Vapor pressure/ Saturation Vapor Pressure X 100
We Know,
Vapor Pressure = 3 g/m3 and Saturation Vapor Pressure at 12oC = 8.5g/m3
Therefore,
Relative Humidity = 3 g/m3 / 8.5g/m3 X 100%
= 0.35294118 X 100%
= 35.29 %
Ans C.
The dew point temperature is the temperature to which the air must cool to become
saturated with its current vapor pressure. From the graph, we can get the
temperature at which the air becomes saturated with its vapor pressure. From the
graph above, for saturated vapour pressure of 8.5g/cm3 the temperature is 12 oC and
at Vapor pressure of 3 g/m3 the Dew point can calculate.
Therefore, at given Vapor pressure the dew point lies between approximately -1 and
0oC (-0.5oC)
Ans D.
At 4°C temperature saturated Vapor pressure should be around 4.5 g/m 3.
Therefore,
Relative Humidity = 3 g/m3 / 4.5g/m3 X 100%
= 0.66666667 X 100%
= 66.67 %
Question 4
Ans A.
40

30

20

10

0
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000

-10

-20

Temperature (oC) Location A Temperature (oC) Location B

Ans B.
The parcel will be stable throughout the air column as it will cool at a faster rate than
the environment. The parcel will cool at the dry adiabatic lapse rate until the height
of 800 m where the Lifting Condensation Level (LCL) of the parcel is located. Above
the LCL, the parcel will cool at the moist adiabatic lapse rate. The air parcel continues
to cool as it lifts and expands above the LCL, but it cools less quickly due to release of
latent heat. (Gervais, Physical Geography)
Ans C.
The Parcel will get highly unstable between 800 and 1000m because the air parcel
starts to cool down and more condensation releases more latent heat and more
latent heat warms the air parcel, making it more unstable. (Gervais, Physical
Geography)
Ans D.
The parcel will not rise on its own from the surface as it will cool faster than the
environment. The warmer environment will cause the parcel to sink until the
environment starts cooling at a faster rate. In this case, the atmosphere is said to be
stable atmosphere.
Ans E.
The stability of the parcel at location B changes with elevation as it begins to cool
slower than the environment, and thus rises as it becomes warmer than the
environment.

Question 5
Ans A.
Ans B.

Ans C.
Most likely wind direction at point D is Northeast.
Ans D.
At point D pressure is falling because as the cold winds from the west approach, the
warm air starts rising ahead of cold air thus decreasing the pressure. (Gervais,
Physical Geography)
Ans E.
Before the Cold front passes, the Point D has warm weather. The temperature will
drop as the cold front squall line has cold air inside which will bring the temperature
down of point D. (Gervais, Physical Geography)

Reference
Gervais, B. (2019).  Living Physical Geography (2nd ed.). MacMillan Education