Exam 2015, questions PDF

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Second Semester Examination 2015

FUNDAMENTALS OF CLIMATE SYSTEM SCIENCE (EMSC2021) Writing period : 2 Hours duration Study period : 15 Minutes duration Permitted materials : Non-programmable Calculator and Ruler

This paper will count as 35% of the assessment for EMSC 2021.

This paper has 2 sections. Section A has 12 short answer/calculation style questions, worth a total of 68 marks; Section B has 2 essay style questions, worth a total of 32 marks. You must attempt to answer all questions for a total of 100 marks.

A supplementary sheet of equations that you may find useful is appended.

All questions to be completed in the script book provided.

Page 1 of 4 - FUNDAMENTALS OF CLIMATE SYSTEM SCIENCE – ( EMSC2021 )

SECTION A: Answer each of the following questions (68% total) 1.

Name the layer of the atmosphere in which temperature increases with height. [4 marks]

2.

Air from near the tropopause has a T of 160 K and P of 100 mb. What is the potential temperature of that air? [4 marks]

3.

What is the (molar and mass) density of CO2 at the surface of Mars? Assume the partial pressure of CO2 is 6 mb and the T is 220 K. [4 marks]

4.

Explain the concept of an adiabatic process. How is this used in atmospheric science? [8 marks]

5.

Imagine a tide-locked planet (i.e. one side always faces the Sun) with no heat transport. Calculate the maximum temperature on the planet, assuming no greenhouse gases and using earth-like values. [8 marks]

6.

List two ways scientists measure ocean temperature. Briefly describe how those measurements are processed to create maps. [8 marks]

7.

What is a negative feedback? Give an example relevant to climate science. [4 marks]

8.

Assume that the surface temperature of the Earth is 290K and the radiating level 670 mb (compared with surface pressure of 1000 mb). What is (a) the radiating temperature and (b) the outgoing longwave radiation? [8 marks]

9.

Air at T = 35 °C has a relative humidity of 27%. What is the vapour pressure? Estimate the dew point temperature? [8 marks]

10.

Water is estimated to evaporate at around 4 mm day-1. What is the associated latent heat flux? [4 marks]

11.

What is the difference between climate and weather? [4 marks]

12.

In one paragraph, describe the advantages of data assimilation. [4 marks]

Page 2 of 4 - FUNDAMENTALS OF CLIMATE SYSTEM SCIENCE – ( EMSC2021 )

SECTION B: Answer each of the following questions (32% total) 13.

Explain, in less than a page, how the greenhouse effect would be altered if tropospheric temperature increased with altitude. [16 marks]

14.

Explain, in less than a page, the fundamental principles of the surface energy balance over land. [16 marks]

Page 3 of 4 - FUNDAMENTALS OF CLIMATE SYSTEM SCIENCE – ( EMSC2021 )

EMSC 2021 Formula/Data Ideal Gas: PV=nRT R = 8.314 J mol-1 K-1 Cp = 29.1 J mol-1 K-1 Cv = 20.8 J mol-1 K-1

Molecular Mass: Mair = 28.97 g mol-1 Mco2 = 44.01 g mol-1 Mh2o = 18.02 g mol-1 MN2 = 28.01 g mol-1

Seawater: ρ = 1026 kg m-3 -1 -1 C ~ 4000 J kg K Radiation: Planck function:

where Blackbody radiation:

where

Surface Green Grass Dry Bare Soil Water Galvanized Iron

Albedo 0.23 0.40 0.05 0.50

Planetary Radiation Balance:

Emissivity 0.95 0.90 0.98 0.20 Useful Information: T1P1-R/Cp = T2 P2-R/Cp es (in Pa) can be estimated using T (in °C) with: es = 610.78 e

, where

17.2694 T T + 237.3

Latent Heat of Vaporisation (H2O) ~ 2.45 MJ kg-1 1 m3 = 1000 L 1 GL = 109 L

Page 4 of 4 - FUNDAMENTALS OF CLIMATE SYSTEM SCIENCE – ( EMSC2021 )...