Unit 7: Atmospheric Stability and Instability
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Stability & Instability :: Inversions & Subsidence :: Instability & Fire Behavior :: Stability or Instability :: Summary :: Exercises
Exercise 1
Lifting processes for thunderstorm development
Match the various lifting processes with their definitions.
| Lifting Process | Definition |
| 1. Orographic | a. Air that is forced to rise as it is pushed against mountainous terrain. |
| 2. Convergence | b. The rising of warm air currents in the atmosphere as a result of surface heating. |
| 3. Convection | c. Lifting action which occurs when an air mass of one temperature meets another of differing temperature and other characteristics. |
| 4. Frontal | d. Rising air currents due to compression from air coming to a single point, such as in the center of a low pressure area. |
Exercise 2
Determining atmospheric stability or instability
Describe the degree of stability or instability of the lower atmosphere in each of the situations below.
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| Question 1 | Question 2 |
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Question 3 | Question 4 |
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Question 5 | Question 6 |
Copyright 2008,
Michael Jenkins.
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admin. (2005, November 10). Unit 7: Atmospheric Stability and Instability. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Free Online Course Materials — USU OpenCourseWare Web site: http://ocw.usu.edu/Forest__Range__and_Wildlife_Sciences/Wildland_Fire_Management_and_Planning/Unit_7__Atmospheric_Stability_and_Instability_6.html.
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