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Introduction to Atmospheric Moisture
Quick Review

1 .       The water molecules in cold water are more agitated than those in warm water. 

 
 


2 .       When there are enough water vapor molecules in air to exert the maximum vapor pressure at any given temperature, we say that the air is saturated. 

 
 


3 .       The maximum amount of water vapor in a given volume of air increases as the temperature increases. 

 
 


4 .       There will be net evaporation if the air remains calm and the temperature doesn't change. 

 
 


5 .       The rate of evaporation from a water surface is determined by the temperature of the water, the temperature of the air, and the degree of windiness. More evaporation occurs because of higher temperatures and winds. 

 
 


6 .       The process whereby plants give up moisture through their leaves is called transpiration, and so with the combined process of water vapor entering the air from land sources is called evapotranspiration. 

 
 


7 .       Potential evapotranspiration is the amount of transpiration that would occur if the ground at the location in question were sopping wet all the time. 

 
 


8 .       Even though potential evapotranspiration exceeds actual precipitation, there is still water available for storage in soil and in plants. 

 
 


9 .       Absolute humidity is the amount of water vapor in a given volume of air. 

 
 


10 .       The mass of water vapor in a given mass of air is called humidity. 

 
 


11 .       Relative humidity describes how close the air is to saturation with water vapor. 

 
 


12 .       Sensible temperature refers to the temperature sensed by a person's body. 

 
 


13 .       The conversion of water vapor to liquid water is referred to as condensation. 

 
 


14 .       Dry adiabatic lapse rate is air cooling at 5.5 degress F as it rises per 1,000 feet. 

 
 


15 .       High clouds are generally found above 35,000 ft. 

 
 


16 .       Altocumulus and altostratus occur between 6,500 and 20,000 ft. 

 
 


17 .       Stratus, stratocumulus, and nimbostratus are known as low clouds. 

 
 


18 .       A radiation fog results when the ground cools through radiation. 

 
 


19 .       An advection fog develops when warm, moist air moves horizontally over a cold surface. 

 
 


20 .       If a parcel of air resists vertical movement, it is said to be stable. 

 
 


21 .       The Bergeron process refers to precipitation by ice-crystal formation. 

 
 


22 .       The only requisite condition that needs to occur to produce orographic precipitation is a windward slope of a barrier. The leeward slope is the dry side. 

 
 






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