Air Stability & Energy

Which air mass is more dense?

• Air mass 1

• Air mass 2

Which air mass is probably warmer?

• Air mass 1

• Air mass 2

Which air mass has a lower pressure?

• Air mass 1

• Air mass 2

What is the relationship between air pressure and temperature?

• The greater the air pressure, the less dense the air mass is.

• The greater the air pressure, the more dense the air mass, the colder the air mass

Where is the energy transfer when unstable air is forced upward?

• As the warmer, unstable air is forced upward, it transfers energy to the surrounding air and cools as it rises.

• When unstable air is forced upward, it continues to get warmer, gaining energy for a storm.

• When the colder, denser unstable air is pushed upward, it releases more energy into the atmosphere.

What should we expect to happen at the surface of Earth, when there is a great difference in air pressure of two air masses over a smaller distance?

• Where there is a great difference in air pressure of two air masses, we get strong winds. The greater the temperature difference the stronger the wind.

• When an air mass with high pressure meets an air mass with low pressure, they balance each other out and the air is calm.