7.

2 - Heat and the Atmosphere

A balanced System
Examples of power in weather
Thunderstorms release as much energy as a small nuclear power plant An average hurricanes raw strength could power the U.S. for 100 years A tornado can throw a 20 ton railroad car

A Balanced System (contd)

Where does this power come from?
The sun emits solar energy (or solar radiation) Without this, the atmosphere would be cold and still

The atmosphere obtains heat from the solar energy that reaches the earth Some energy is absorbed and some is reflected back into space. Because of this, earth maintains a relatively constant average temperature

 Heat from the sun:

Radiation
Transfer of electromagnetic waves Does not require a substance to travel through

Albedo the reflectivity of an object

Light colors reflect radiation Dark colors absorb radiation Albedo is measured by
0 represents 100% absorption (pitch black objects) 1 represents 100% reflection (pure reflective objects)

Insolation (incoming solar radiation)

Measured in watts/meter2 Common light bulbs produce 60 watts of energy a second Sun provides 900+ W/m2 at noon in the tropics

 Factors affecting insolation

A tiny fraction of the suns light reaches earth
30% of that light gets reflected back into space 20% gets absorbed by atmospheric dust and gas 50% reaches the earths surface

Length of day
Longer days of summer allow for more warmth Short days of winter inhibit insolation

Angle of rays
Direct sun rays cause increased insolation Angled sun rays produce less insolation

Distance from the sun

Perihelion earth is close to the sun Aphelion earth is farther from the sun

 How the atmosphere is heated

Sun heats land and seas, these heat air Infrared radiation is absorbed by CO2 and H2O Ozone and thermosphere gases absorb heat

Containing heat
Moons temperature can fluctuate drastically:
Lunar night = -380F Lunar day = 250 F

Greenhouse effect atmosphere traps heat Greenhouse gas

Water vapor CO2

 Containing heat (contd)

Sun emits long and short-wave radiation Earth reflects short-wave back into space Long-wave is captured by the atmosphere and reflected back to earth This is why it is warmest after 12:00 noon Also why cloudy days can be bad for sunburn Greenhouses trap warm air, atmosphere traps long-wave radiation

Heat distribution in the Atmosphere

Widespread warmth
Various materials of earth aid in variety in temperatures and weather
Water warms much more slowly than land Water holds heat longer than land

Distributing heat
Conduction
Transfer of heat by direct contact Pan on a stove coil

Convection
Transfer of heat via currents Movement of heated air

 Convection
Causes wind (horizontal air movement) Causes updrafts and downdrafts (vertical)

Decompression cooling
Adiabatic heating
Heat which occurs from pressurized gas Low altitudes are warm because of this

Adiabatic cooling
Cooling caused by gas dispersion High altitudes are cool

Convection Oven