Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

1
Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

• Chapter 4

2
Atmospheric Layers

• The exosphere blends into outer space.
• Temperatures in the thermosphere and exosphere
  are very warm.
• The troposphere is the layer of the atmosphere
  nearest to Earths surface.

3
Atmospheric Layers

• The stratosphere contains the highest
  concentration of ozone.
• If the ozone layer disappeared, life on Earth
  would be exposed to higher concentrations of
  ultraviolet radiation.
• Chlorofluorocarbons may be harming the ozone
  layer by destroying ozone molecules.

4
Atmospheric Layers

• Electrically charged particles are found
  primarily in the ionosphere.

5
Atmospheric Pressure

• Atmospheric pressure is greatest near Earths
  surface and decreases as you move upward away
  from sea level.
• There are fewer molecules of air at high
  elevations, so air pressure is less.
• Cold air has more molecules occupying a cubic
  centimeter of space than warm air therefore, it
  has higher pressure.

6
Atmospheric Pressure

• The air above the equator rises because it has
  low density and low pressure.
• Air pressure is greatest at sea level.

7
The Suns Energy

• The Sun is the source of all energy in our
  atmosphere.
• Some energy from the Sun is reflected back into
  space, some is absorbed by the atmosphere and
  some is absorbed by land and water on Earths
  surface.

8

• Reflection and absorption by the atmosphere
  prevent some radiation from reaching Earths
  surface.
• Not all areas on Earths surface receive the same
  amount of radiation because Earths surface is
  curved.

9

• Air above the equator is heated more than at any
  other place on Earth because solar rays strike
  the equator more directly.

10
Energy Transfer

• Radiation is the transfer of energy in the form
  of rays or waves.
• Convection is the transfer of heat by the flow of
  a heated material.
• Conduction is the transfer of energy that occurs
  when molecules bump into one another.

11
Water Cycle
12
Water Cycle

• The process of water vapor changing to a liquid
  is called condensation.

13

• The Coriolis effect is caused by the Earths
  rotation.
• The flow of air caused by differences in heating
  and the Coriolis effect creates distinct wind
  patterns on Earths surface.

14

• Sea and land breezes are caused because the land
  heats and cools more quickly than the water.
• When cool, dense air from over the water flows
  inland, its called a sea breeze.

15

• The prevailing westerlies are responsible for the
  movement of much of the weather across the United
  States and Canada.
• Steady winds between the equator and 30º latitude
  north or south are known as the trade winds.

16

• The doldrums are a windless zone at the equator.
• There is little wind in the doldrums because the
  air expands, creating a zone of low pressure.