Transcript 23.2 & 23.3 Energy and Wind - Ramona Unified School District / Home

Learning Intention
• Understand the driving forces of weather and
climate
23.2 Solar Radiation:
A Form of energy Transfer
3 Forms of Energy Transfer
• Radiation
• Conduction
• Convection
Radiation
• Energy that travels through space in the form
of waves
• Conduction: Transfer of heat through direct
contact of molecules
• Convection: Movement of gasses and liquids
as they are heated unevenly
– Due to density differences
Energy Transfer Lab Activity
(10 minutes)
We are just completing the activity
and data.
You will answer the questions at
home!!!
Radiation in our Atmosphere
• Nitrogen and oxygen absorb x-rays, gamma
rays, and UV rays.
– Meso- and thermosphere
• Radiation acts on oxygen molecules form
ozone
– Stratosphere
• Infrared Radiation is absorbed by CO2 and
water vapor in the troposphere
What might happen to the Sun’s Rays?
• Scattering: reflection
and bending of sun’s
radiation by water
and dust in the
atmosphere
• Reflection
• Absorption
Greenhouse Effect
• CO2, H2O, methane, and other green house
gasses in the atmosphere trap infrared rays
over the Earth’s surface
Greenhouse Effect
Variations in Temperature
Are affected by:
• Latitude
• Elevation
• Distance to Bodies of water
Variations in the distribution of the
Sun’s Radiation
• Latitude
• Latitude is the primary factor in determining
the amount of solar radiation that is received
per unit of area
– At the equator, the radiation from the sun is more
direct (close to 90°)
– At the poles, the radiation from the sun is spread
out over a larger area due to the angle
• Elevation:
– Higher elevations have colder temperatures in the
troposphere.
• Effect of Bodies of water:
– Temperature of water changes less than that of
land
– Water has a
moderating
effect
23.3 Winds
• The Earth receives more solar energy at the
equators
– The air at the equator
is warm,
therefore less dense,
and it rises
– In general, the equator
has low
atmospheric pressure
• At the poles, the cold air is heavier and thus it
sinks creating a high pressure area
Pressure differences in the atmosphere at
the equator and at the poles create a
general pattern of air movement
• Air moves from high pressure belts to low
pressure belts
• Generally, from poles to the equator
Convection Cells
Looping patterns found in the movement of air.
• Equator- warm air rises
• 30° latitude- some of the
air sinks
– High pressure area
• 60 ° latitude- converging
air rises
– Low Pressure area
Local Winds
• Land and Sea Breezes
• Mountain and Valley Breezes
What are the driving forces for
variation in temperature at Earth’s
surface?
Explain how the variations in
temperature at Earth’s surface drive
the movement of air (wind)?