Module 3, Lesson 3 - The Atmosphere

Module 3, Lesson 3 - The Atmosphere

The Atmosphere

An area’s climate can be referenced during the planning of a UAS operation while the state of the atmosphere can depart greatly from this expectation. 

Multiple Choice

Fill in the blanks correctly to help you remember the difference: “_________ is what you expect and _________ is what you get.”

• climate, weather

• weather, climate

The atmosphere is vertically differentiated by temperature lapse rate, referring to how the ambient atmospheric temperature changes with an increase in height. The lowest layer of the atmosphere is the troposphere and is characterized as a region where temperature decreases with altitude. 

Multiple Choice

Referring to the image, which atmospheric region does an sUAS operate in?

• Thermosphere

• Mesosphere

• Stratosphere

• Troposphere

The standard atmosphere is an idealized model of the aggregate atmosphere, considered without moisture, which is averaged across all latitudes and season. While this atmospheric representation was originally developed during the dawn of aviation, it is currently used by meteorologists to define standard sea-level values. 

Fill in the standard sea-level values below:

Fill in the Blank

Temperature: _____ °C

Fill in the Blank

Pressure: _____ mb

Fill in the Blank

Density: _____ kg/m3

Fill in the Blank

Pressure: _____” Hg

The influence of the earth’s surface rapidly drives change in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL), which is strongly influenced by the earth’s surface, fluctuating on a diurnal basis. 

Multiple Choice

Referring to the image below, where the ABL is located?

• The region of the lower troposphere

• The region of the lower stratosphere

• The region of the upper troposphere

• The region of the upper stratosphere