What are the three basic ingredients of all thunderstorms? Describe at least three potential forcing mechanisms


All thunderstorms need three basic ingredients: 1 ) moist surface air; 2 ) a conditionally unstable atmosphere; and 3 ) a forcing mechanism, or "trigger", that forces the air to rise. Potential forcing mechanisms are: random, turbulent eddies that lift small bubbles of air; unequal heating at the surface; the effect of terrain (such as small hills) or the lifting of air along shallow boundaries of converging surface winds; diverging upper-level winds, coupled with converging
surface winds and rising air; large-scale uplift along mountain barriers or gently rising terrain; or warm air rising along a frontal zone. Usually, several forcing mechanisms work together with vertical wind shear to generate thunderstorms.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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Intercepted solar radiation is called

A) solar wind. B) thermosphere. C) solar constant. D) insolation.

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Humans have significantly affected natural vegetation except in regions too remote to be settled

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

When the base of the cloud is positively charged and the ground negatively charged, a(n) ____________________ cloud-to-ground lightning flash may result

Fill in the blank with correct word.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences