Ch 3 - Seasons and Solar Energy

Temperature

_______ is the average kinetic movement of atoms and molecules of a substance.

Heat

_____ is the internal energy transferred between materials due to their temperature differences.

absolute zero

The point at which molecular movement stops is known as __________ .

one

One unit increase in the Kelvin scale is the same as a __________ degree increase in the Celsius scale.

inversely

Wien’s Law states that wavelengths are __________ proportional to temperatures.

Radiation

_____ is the process by which wave energy travels through the vacuum of space.

Electromagnetic waves

______ travel at the speed of 300,000 km per second.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation

______ accounts for approximately 10 percent of the Sun’s energy output.

Visible light

______ accounts for 44 percent of solar radiation.

perpendicular

The subsolar point is the latitude where Sun’s rays are __________ to the Earth's surface.

Cancer, Capricorn

The migration of the subsolar point occurs between the Tropics of ______and __________.

atmosphere

The greenhouse effect happens when the __________ absorbs and counter-radiates heat.

proximity

Seasonality patterns are influenced by latitude and the __________ to the oceans.

greater

The continental effect means that inland areas generally experience a __________ annual temperature range than coastal regions.

land

The specific heat capacity of water is higher compared to most __________ materials.

23.5

The tilt of Earth's axis is approximately __________ degrees.

decreases

Temperature generally __________ as one moves from the equator to the poles.

thermal expansion

matter expands when heated and contracts when cooled

transmission

the unimpeded movement of electromagnetic energy through a medium.

elevation, latitude

The average temperature at a location is controlled by __________ and _____.

scattering

The process of __________ occurs when solar radiation is redirected in random directions.

Absorption

______ refers to the ability of an object to assimilate electromagnetic energy and convert it to another form of energy_.

100%

A perfect mirror has an albedo of __________ .

shortwave (SWR)

Most solar radiation is classified as __________ radiation.

particles, molecules

Absorption in the atmosphere includes both __________ and ____.

conduction

__________ is the process by which heat is transferred through direct contact.

less

Cold currents influence temperatures __________ than warm currents.

37

Human body temperature averages around __________ °C.

100

The boiling point of water at sea level is __________ °C.

annual temperature range

The average maximum and minimum temperatures over a year at a location define its __________.

electrical

Solar panels convert sunlight into __________ energy.

conduction, convection, advection, radiation

The four methods of heat transfer are _____, ______, ______, and __________.

albedo

The __________ of a surface is given as the percentage of incoming radiation that it reflects.

axial tilt

The northern and southern hemispheres have seasonal temperature differences due to _____.

greenhouse effect

The ______ is a natural process essential for keeping the Earth's surface temperature stable.

longwave radiation

Heat is transferred from the surface of the Earth back into space as __________.

balance

The __________ of Earth's energy budget involves incoming and outgoing solar energy.

vertical

In convection, heat is transferred through the __________ movement of mass within a fluid.

heat retention

Urban heat islands are warmer than rural areas due to urban _____

Tropic of Capricorn

During the December solstice, the subsolar point is located at the __________.

solar intensity

_____ diminishes with the angle of sunlight and the distance of travel through the atmosphere.

reflection, transmission, absorption, scattering

The processes of ______, _____, _____, and _____ contribute to the transfer of solar radiation.

infrared

The Earth's surface absorbs solar radiation and ultimately releases __________ energy back to space.

equinoxes

At the equator, solar altitude is at its highest angle during _____ .

Continental

______ locations exhibit a greater annual temperature range than maritime ones.

Hemispheric temperature ranges

_________ are influenced by the distribution of land and water.

Specific heat

______is the amount of heat needed to change the temperature of an object.

Heat capacity

______measures the heat requirement of a given material to reach a certain temperature.

Gulf Stream

The _______ is an example of a warm current that influences North America's climate.

winds, ocean currents

Heat from the tropics is transferred poleward by __________ and _____.

Solar thermal power

_____ utilizes sunlight to heat water.

radiation balance

The Earth's _____ is crucial in maintaining a stable global climate.

captured

Major energy needs can be met if a fraction of the Sun’s energy is __________.

photovoltaic

Electricity generated from _____ cells is viewed as a key method for harnessing solar energy.

greenhouse

The warming of the atmosphere due to greenhouse gases is expressed as the __________ effect.

15

Radiative equilibrium temperature of Earth is approximately __________ °C.

architecture

Solar __________ allows sunlight to be utilized directly or for heating purposes.

location, elevation, latitude

____, _____, and __________ are essential factors affecting climate.

emitted

Infrared radiation is _____ back into space as part of the Earth's energy system.

four seasons

The _____ result from the tilt of the Earth's axis, not from its distance to the Sun.

sunlight

Photovoltaic cells convert __________ directly into electricity.

reflected

As planetary albedo increases, more solar radiation is __________ back into space.

solar insolation

Seasons are marked by changes in climate directly dependent on __________.

atmosphere

Greenhouse gases trap heat, preventing it from escaping the Earth's __________.

efficiency

The angle at which sunlight strikes the Earth affects the __________ of heating.

shorter, higher

Higher temperatures are related to _____ wavelengths and __________ frequency radiation.

quality

The chemical and atmospheric interaction affects the intensity and __________ of sunlight at the surface.

insolation

incoming solar radiation

absorption

responsible for loss of color in the sky; color of leaves

reflection

 the process of returning a portion of the radiation striking a surface in the general direction from which it came

Ocean-atmosphere Heat Transfer

Warm ocean currents (e.g., the Gulf Stream) from the tropics carry heat toward the poles…

advection

The horizontal movement of some property of the atmosphere, e.g., heat, humidity, and pollutants.

quickly

Molecules move _____ in objects with high temps

sun

high temperatures, high frequency, shorter wavelengths

earth

low temps., low frequency, longer wavelengths