5. SOLAR ENERGY & ENERGY TRANSFER

How does radiant energy reach

Earth?

• Thermal energy transfers from a warmer object to a cooler one

• There are 3 methods of energy transfer: ?

• There are 3 methods of energy transfer:

Conduction

• The transfer of energy through matter from particle to particle

Convection

• The transfer of heat by the actual movement of warmed matter in a gas or liquid

Radiation

• Electromagnetic waves that directly transport energy through space.

• Brings heat to our planet

Earth’s Energy Budget

• Description of ?

• Summary of ?

Earth’s Energy Budget

• Description of total energy exchange within a system

• Summary of how energy from the Sun enters, moves through, and leaves the Earth system

Heat Capacity - ?

Heat Capacity - Amount of energy needed to change the temperature of a substance

Heat Sink - ?

Heat Sink - Something that can store lots of heat without changing its properties

Albedo Effect - ?

Albedo Effect - Radiation that is reflected from the surface of a object

Earth’s Constant Temperature?

Earth’s Constant Temperature

• Earth stays the same temperature because it gives off the same amount of energy it gets from the Sun

• All things, including Earth, release energy as radiation in different forms

Energy Transfer in the Climate System

Climate System - ?

• Open system - ?

• Closed system - ?

Energy Transfer in the Climate System

Climate System - A group of interdependent parts that work together to form a single functioning whole

• Open system - energy & matter moves freely

• Closed system - energy only moves freely

  • Earth behaves like a closed system

Electromagnetic Radiation?

Includes?

Electromagnetic Radiation

• Energy that travels as waves that move outward in all directions from a source.

Includes?

• radio waves,

• microwaves

• infrared

• visible light

• ultraviolet

• xrays

• gamma rays

Feedback Loops

Definition -?

types?

Feedback Loops

Definition

• Process in which part of a system’s output is returned as input

Positive Feedback Loop

• A process where a change causes effects that increase that change, leading to bigger and bigger changes over time

Negative Feedback Loop

• A process that reduces changes in a system, helping it stay balanced or return to equilibrium. It acts like a system of checks and balances

Regions of the Atmosphere?

Regions of the Atmosphere

1. Troposphere

• earth’s Surface to ~18 km

• Where all weather happens

2. Stratosphere

• 18-60km above ground

• Contains the ozone layer that absorbs UV rays

3. Mesosphere

• 60 - 100km above ground

• Where meteors penetrate here but burn up

4. Thermosphere (ionosphere)

• above mesophere

• Very hot and thin air

• Home to the northern and southern lights (auroras)

Atmospheric Pressure

• Air pressure is ?

• Standard air pressure ?

• As you go higher up,?

Atmospheric Pressure

• Air pressure is the force air puts on layers below due to gravity

• Standard air pressure at sea level is 101.3 kPa

• As you go higher up, there are fewer air particles, so air pressure decreases

Atmospheric Gases

• Air is made of: ?

• Carbon dioxide is only ?% but does what?

• Without greenhouse gases, Earth would be about ?% colder than ?

Atmospheric Gases

• Air is made of:

  • 78% nitrogen

  • 21% oxygen

  • 1% other gases (includes carbon dioxide)

• Carbon dioxide is only 0.03% but traps heat from Earth

• Without greenhouse gases, Earth would be about 35% colder than the current 15℃ average

What is Humidity

Humidity - ?

Absolute Humidity - ?

Relative Humidity - ?

What is Humidity

Humidity - The amount of water vapour in the air

Absolute Humidity - The actual amount of water vapour in the air

Relative Humidity - Percentage of water vapour compared to the maximum the air can hold when fully saturated

Energy Transfer in the Ocean

• Thermohaline circulation is ?

• Driven by ?

• Plays a key role in ?

Energy Transfer in the Ocean

• Thermohaline circulation is a 3D ocean current system

• Driven by wind, heat, and salt levels (salinity)

• Plays a key role in regulating Earth’s climate

El Niño vs. La Niña

El Niño vs. La Niña

LA Nina

• Normal trade winds near equator blow West.

• Normally, winds push warm water to the west pacific

• and cold water rises in the east pacific causing rain in the west pacific

During El Niño,

* El Niño occurs when trade winds weaken or reverse

• winds weaken or reverse,

• warm water stays in the east pacific

• Disaster for sea life who depend on nutrient upwelling & on animals that feed on them.

• Great for land plants & animals in East Pacific, who get lots of rain.

• and changing weather worldwide