Download Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

Energy Transfer in the
Atmosphere
Chapter 4
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 Earth’s
surface.
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.
Atmospheric Layers
 Electrically charged particles are
found primarily in the ionosphere.
Atmospheric Pressure
 Atmospheric pressure is greatest near
Earth’s 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.
Atmospheric Pressure
 The air above the equator rises
because it has low density and low
pressure.
 Air pressure is greatest at sea level.
The Sun’s 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 Earth’s surface.
 Reflection and absorption by the
atmosphere prevent some radiation
from reaching Earth’s surface.
 Not all areas on Earth’s surface
receive the same amount of radiation
because Earth’s surface is curved.
 Air above the equator is heated more
than at any other place on Earth
because solar rays strike the equator
more directly.
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.
Water Cycle
Water Cycle
 The process of water vapor changing
to a liquid is called condensation.
 The Coriolis effect is caused by the
Earth’s rotation.
 The flow of air caused by differences
in heating and the Coriolis effect
creates distinct wind patterns on
Earth’s surface.
 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, it’s called a sea
breeze.
 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.
 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.