Transcript Coriolis Effect, Wind, and Ocean Currents

Sun’s Energy/Ocean Currents &
Wind
8.10
The student knows that climactic interactions exist
among Earth, ocean, and weather systems. The
student is expected to:
(A) recognize that the Sun provides the energy that
drives convection within the atmosphere and the
oceans, producing winds and ocean currents.
Radiant Energy
The Sun’s energy is called radiant energy.
The Sun’s energy is responsible for the movement
of air in the atmosphere (wind) and the oceans
(currents).
HOW? Through a process called CONVECTION.
Radiant Energy
Radiant energy drives CONVECTION within the
atmosphere and the oceans.
CONVECTION is the process of heat transfer in
liquids (in the ocean) and air (in the atmosphere).
Energy is transported and redistributed all over the
Earth.
Convection Demos
Exploring Convection Part 1
Exploring Convection Part 2
Convection Everyday
Wind
• Differences in density/air pressure cause movement
of air, which is wind.
• Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the
Earth’s surface (Equator vs. Poles)
• Warmer air is less dense (has less pressure) than
cooler air.
• High pressure/more dense (cooler) air pushes low
pressure/less dense (warm) air.
• The greater the difference in pressure, the faster the
wind blows.
Types of Winds
• There are 2 types of winds:
Global and Local
• Convection currents on a large
scale produce global winds.
Global
Winds
Atmospheric
circulation
and the
Coriolis Effect
create
global wind
patterns.
Atmospheric Circulation
Earth’s curved surface
causes some parts of Earth
to receive the Sun’s rays
more directly than other
parts.
As the warmer air over the
equator rises, colder air
from the poles rushes
toward the equator to take
its place.
This steady exchange of
warm and cold air that
occurs between the equator
and the poles produces
global wind belts.
The Coriolis Effect
• The Earth rotates on its
axis, so circulating air is
deflected or turns.
• This means that air
deflects in a clockwise
motion in the Northern
Hemisphere and
counterclockwise in the
Southern Hemisphere,
resulting in curved
paths.
• This deflection is known
as the Coriolis Effect.
The Coriolis Effect: Click
below!
Merry Go Round Simulation
Coriolis Effect Animation
Local Winds
Convection currents on
a small scale produce
local winds.
Local
Winds
•Small-scale
convection currents
cause local winds on
the coast and in the mountains.
•Blow over a much smaller area and change direction
and speed over a shorter period of time than global
winds.
•There are 2 types of local winds: sea breezes and land
breezes.
Sea Breeze
Sea Breeze (Daytime)
Land Breeze
Land Breeze (Nighttime)
How the Oceans
Transport Energy
• The ocean transports energy from the
Sun around the globe. HOW?
• To understand this, you have to learn
more about ocean currents and wind.
• There are 2 types of ocean currents:
surface currents and deep currents.
Surface Ocean Currents
• Surface ocean currents transport
thermal energy from the tropics (Equator)
to the poles.
• Surface ocean currents are caused by
winds.
• The wind blows…it moves the water!!
Deep Ocean Currents
• Deep ocean currents are caused by two
things: differences in temperature of the
water and salinity of the water (how salty
it is).
• These differences set convection in
motion, causing energy to be moved deep
within the ocean all over the globe.
Density Currents
More dense water sinks and pushes up less dense
water.
This moves water around globe.