Download Atmosphere notes 2

Atmospheric Heating
Radiation: Energy Transfer by
electromagnetic waves from the sun
Conduction: transfer of energy through a
material
- Transfer of energy is from warm to cold
areas
Convection: transfer of energy by the
movement of a liquid or gas
Cold air is more dense than
warm air, so cold air sinks and
warm air rises producing
convection currents.
 Energy from the sun is absorbed by the
atmosphere, land and water and is changed
into thermal energy.
Greenhouse Effect
Gases function like the glass walls and roof of
a greenhouse, which allow solar energy to
enter but prevent thermal energy from
escaping.
Gases in the atmosphere like water vapor and
carbon dioxide absorb thermal energy from
the sun and radiate it back to Earth.
Gases in the atmosphere like water vapor and
carbon dioxide absorb thermal energy from
the sun and radiate it back to Earth.
Radiation Balance: balance between
incoming energy and outgoing energy
Solar energy that is absorbed by the earth and
its atmosphere is returned to space as
thermal energy.
Global Warming
- An increase in global temperature caused
by an increase of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere.
Greenhouse gas- a gas that absorbs thermal
energy in the atmosphere
Ex. Water vapor, carbon dioxide
What is a greenhouse gas?
A greenhouse gas is a gas that
absorbs thermal energy in the
atmosphere.
Global warming cause
Human activities like:
- Burning of fossil fuels
- Deforestation (cutting trees)
Such activities will increase levels of
greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere and will cause
temperatures to rise.