Weather and Climate
Module 1 – Tutorial Exercise 1.1
Write in your own words a short answer that describes the differences between weather and climate.
Weather and Climate both take the same measuring elements of the environment and atmosphere (Temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speeds, precipitation, etc.). According to Sturman & Tapper (2006), weather is “the state of the atmosphere at a particular point in time within a defined areas.” This in turn is opposed to Sturman & Tapper’s (2006) take on climate which is “the synthesis of weather observed over a period of many years.” As a result, Sturman & Tapper have shown one clear difference between the weather and climate. The difference between the two is that weather is the measurements of a particular time and place while climate is observed over a number of years and can be in a defined place or across a much broader area. Module 2 – Tutorial Exercise 2.1
Describe in form of a short answer the four main greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which are responsible for earth being much warmer than it would otherwise be.
The four main greenhouse gases which contribute to significant global warming are as followed:
• Water Vapour
• Carbon Dioxide
• Methane
• Nitrous Oxide
These four greenhouse gases all contribute to global warming in different ways. Water Vapour is the most substantial quantity of greenhouse gas found in the atmosphere, however its increased existence if dictated by the other three greenhouse gases. It is seen that Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Nitrosis Oxide have all increased by 39.5%, 150% and 52% respectively since the 1750’s (CSIRO, 2012). As a result of these increases the earth’s surface has warmed creating an increase in precipitation and condensation. This allows for further warming by the Water Vapour known in climatological terms as a “positive feedback”. Module 3 – Tutorial Exercise 3.1
Explain in form of a brief essay (300 words) how greenhouse gases in the atmosphere interact with the
Write in your own words a short answer that describes the differences between weather and climate.
Weather and Climate both take the same measuring elements of the environment and atmosphere (Temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speeds, precipitation, etc.). According to Sturman & Tapper (2006), weather is “the state of the atmosphere at a particular point in time within a defined areas.” This in turn is opposed to Sturman & Tapper’s (2006) take on climate which is “the synthesis of weather observed over a period of many years.” As a result, Sturman & Tapper have shown one clear difference between the weather and climate. The difference between the two is that weather is the measurements of a particular time and place while climate is observed over a number of years and can be in a defined place or across a much broader area. Module 2 – Tutorial Exercise 2.1
Describe in form of a short answer the four main greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which are responsible for earth being much warmer than it would otherwise be.
The four main greenhouse gases which contribute to significant global warming are as followed:
• Water Vapour
• Carbon Dioxide
• Methane
• Nitrous Oxide
These four greenhouse gases all contribute to global warming in different ways. Water Vapour is the most substantial quantity of greenhouse gas found in the atmosphere, however its increased existence if dictated by the other three greenhouse gases. It is seen that Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Nitrosis Oxide have all increased by 39.5%, 150% and 52% respectively since the 1750’s (CSIRO, 2012). As a result of these increases the earth’s surface has warmed creating an increase in precipitation and condensation. This allows for further warming by the Water Vapour known in climatological terms as a “positive feedback”. Module 3 – Tutorial Exercise 3.1
Explain in form of a brief essay (300 words) how greenhouse gases in the atmosphere interact with the