Topics for "Make up 1S1P reports"

You must choose from the topics listed below and may write up to a total of four reports.  You can earn up to 10 pts for each report.  Reports will be judged on how completely they cover the topic, on organization, and writing quality.  You are free to use whatever source you want, but you should cite any sources used other than the classnotes or course textbook.  Please include illustrations in your report if you think they are appropriate.
1.   Describe or explain as completely as you can the atmospheric greenhouse effect.  What beneficial role does it have?  How might human activities enhance the greenhouse effect?  Why is enhancement of the greenhouse effect of concern?

2.   What information would you expect to find on a surface weather map?  How is this information plotted on the map?  How might you use this data and analyses of the data to better understand current weather conditions and to make predictions of future weather?

3.   List and explain the four processes that cause rising air motions.  Why are rising air motions important?

4.   What variables might you use to describe the climate of a particular region?  List and explain the factors that might determine a region's climate.

5.   Only two of the ten basic cloud types are able to produce significant amounts of precipitation.  How is precipitation produced in clouds?  Give examples of  some of the different kinds of precipitation and explain how they are produced..

6.   Explain as completely as you can how clouds form?  What are the ten basic cloud types.  What do clouds tell you about current atmospheric conditions?

Reports should be double spaced and must fit on one side of one page.  Please identify the topic you have chosen for each report.  You may email your reports to me (weidman@atmo.arizona.edu).  My computer software is old and doesn't know what to do with .docx format reports.  Please convert any .docx documents to .doc format before sending them to me.

You have up to one year to makeup an incomplete.  However I would suggest you complete your reports as soon as you can.