PHYS0629/PHYS1056

Assignment 2
[Solution]

Problem 1 (20%)
a)

Use your camera to take three photos of two types of clouds and write down the
names of the respective clouds
[Ans:] Each correctly named cloud photo carries [4 marks]

b)

How many low clouds, middle clouds and high clouds are normally identified. Write
down their names.
[Ans:] 8 types:
High clouds (3 types) = Cirrus, Cirrostratus, Cirrocumulus [3marks]
Middle clouds (2 types) = Altocumulus, Altostratus [2marks]
Low clouds (3 types) = Stratus, Stratocumulus, Nimbostratus [3marks]

Problem 2 (20%)
(a) Sea breeze means surface wind blowing from sea towards land
during daytime when the landmass is warmer than the sea surface
[3marks]

Sea breeze [7mark]

Land breeze [7mark]

(b) Land breeze refers to surface wind blowing from land towards
sea when the landmass is cooler than the sea at night time. [3marks]

Problem 3 (20%)
a)

b)

How many layers of the Atmosphere can be identified

based on their temperature characteristics? Describe in
brief terms what is the major characteristics of each of
these layers besides their respective temperature trend.
[Ans:] 7 layers [6marks], from bottom to top:
Troposphere = temperature decreases with height, most
weather occur in this layer [2marks]
Tropopause = temperature remains nearly constant, the top
of most weather systems [2marks]
Stratosphere = temperature increases with height, almost
cloud free, ozone warms this layer [2marks]
Stratopause = temperature remains nearly constant, the
top of stratosphere [2marks]
Mesosphere = temperature decreases with height, gaseous
composition of the atmosphere is nearly constant [2marks]
Mesopause = temperature remains nearly constant with
height, the top of mesosphere [2marks]
Thermosphere = temperature increases rapidly with height,
ions exist and Aurora occurs [2marks]
(Optional) Exosphere = temperature increases rapidly with
height, energetic Hydrogen atoms could leave the Earth
[2marks bonus]

Problem 4 (40%)
a)

Under the Coriolis effect, in what direction would Northerly winds in the Northern-Hemisphere
be deflected?
[Ans:] deflected to the right towards West [5marks].

b)

Similarly, under the Coriolis effect, in what direction would Southerly winds in the SouthernHemisphere be deflected?
[Ans:] deflected to the left towards West [5marks].

c)

Draw a diagram to explain winds circulating a low pressure centre in the Northern-Hemisphere
could lead to fine or bad weather?
[Ans:] Bad weather [15marks].

d)

Similarly, draw a diagram to explain winds circulating a low pressure centre in the SouthernHemisphere could lead to fine or bad weather?
[Ans:] Bad weather [15marks].