METR 2413 - Homework 6

Date assigned: 18 February, 2004
Date due: 25 February, 2004

1. Assuming an isothermal atmosphere with a temperature of –33°C and a surface pressure of 1000 hPa, estimate the height of the levels at which pressure equals 100, 10, and 1 hPa (be sure to show all work).








2. Given air of initial temperature 20°C and density of 1.0 kg m^-3, if this air were in a sealed, inflated latex balloon that was raised or lowered in the atmosphere, what thermodynamic quantities (if any) would be conserved? (i.e., p, T, and/or density ρ) Why?










3. At standard sea level pressure and temperature, how does the average speed of molecules compare to the speed of sound? Does the speed of sound change with latitude? Why or why not?








4. It is often said that the evaporation of water at the surface is a much more efficient energy transfer system than conduction between the soil and the atmosphere. Basically, it is a better cooling mechanism. Why is that?