Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
in Arizona.' In your opinion, what is Shuttleworth talking about? The
annual-average of what is about 1.2 m? How do we lose two-thirds back to
the atmosphere? Approximately what proportion do we keep in Arizona?
(b) Shuttleworth says, 'These two components of these models have jargon
names and are run alternately. The first applies the conservation laws while
the second, by representing relevant processes, changes the divergence
terms in these laws prior to their next application.' In your opinion, what
components of what models is he talking about and what are their jargon
names. Which 'laws' does he refer to? Can you suggest some of the relevant
processes that change the divergence terms in these laws?
(c) Shuttleworth says, 'Of course, if all the continents were constrained to be in
the tropics then, as a global average, the proportion of the Sun's radiant
energy reflected at the Earth's surface would vary less between summer and
winter.' In your opinion, what is at least one reason why Shuttleworth might
be correct?
(d) Shuttleworth says, 'Most of the time the temperature gradient in the lower
atmosphere is less than the dry adiabatic lapse rate. Water vapor is also
strongly concentrated at the bottom of the atmosphere. Presumably, the
same processes are responsible for both of these phenomena.' In your
opinion, could Shuttleworth's presumption be correct? What process or
processes might simultaneously reduce the actual lapse rate below the
adiabatic rate and also reduce the vapor content of the atmosphere at levels
well above the ground?
(e) Shuttleworth says, 'These models are used in three main ways, each with a
different objective. However, in fact, one application was a by-product of
the original model application. “Initiation” is a keyword in all of these
applications.' In your opinion, now what is Shuttleworth talking about?
What models? What are the three different objectives? Can you suggest
why he puts emphasis on model initiation?
(f ) Shuttleworth says, 'The specific heat is 4 times bigger and the density is
nearly 1000 times bigger. If this wasn't true, we might have http://www.
weather.gov/ but we probably would not have http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.
gov/' In your opinion, what has a specific heat and density respectively 4
and 1000 times bigger than what? If this were not the case, can you explain
why in your opinion this might mean that http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
would not be needed but http://www.weather.gov/ likely still would be?
(g) Shuttleworth says, 'One important potential consequence of 'greenhouse
warming' is that it will enhance the hydrological cycle. It is interesting that
non-linearity in the basic relationship that would cause this enhancement
tends to compensate for the projected warming being twice as large at the
poles than at the equator.' In your opinion, what does Shuttleworth mean
by this? Can you suggest what basic relationship might allow greenhouse
warming to enhance the hydrological cycle? Why might this relationship
be more effective at the equator, thus compensating for the potentially
enhanced warming at the poles?
