Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

1. Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere 6/3/13

2. Conduction, Convection, or Radiation? 2 1 3

3. Do you remember? • Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy due to collisions between particles. • Convection is the transfer of thermal energy by the movement of particles from one part of a material to another. • Radiation is the transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic waves.

4. Earth’s atmosphere • The radiant energy that comes from the sun can come in the form of visible light, ultraviolet light, and infrared radiation. • What do you think? • Do all the radiant energy from the sun reach the surface of the Earth?

5. Earth’s atmosphere • Energy can be absorbed in the atmosphere or reflected back, therefore, not all the energy coming from the Sun reaches Earth.

6. Earth’s atmosphere • The atmosphere absorbs UV and IR light. • What type of light passes through easily through the atmosphere? • Visible light = sunny days • Atmospheric gases don’t absorb visible light, but could there be something else in the atmosphere that may do this? • Clouds = cloudy and dark days

7. Earth’s surface • The energy that reaches Earth’s surface can be re-radiated back into the atmosphere. • This is called a radiation balance. • What environmental problem do you think would prevent this balance?

8. The Greenhouse Effect • Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane, trap the IR energy from the sun from escaping the atmosphere. • The energy is re-radiated back to Earth.

9. Greenhouse Effect • The greenhouse effect is actually a normal event on Earth in order to have heat. • The problem arises when there is too much greenhouse gases that trap too much air, leading to environmental problems like global warming, climate change, and rising sea levels.

10. Circulating air • Warm air is less dense than cool air. • Warm air rises while cool air sinks.

11. Temperature Inversion: • Temperature inversion occurs in the troposphere when temperature increases as altitude increases. • This can prevent air from mixing and can trap pollution in the air close to Earth’s surface.

12. Exit Slip • What are the three types of light that are emitted from the sun? • Explain how air circulates in our atmosphere. • Why is the greenhouse effect an environmental issue? When you are done hand in your exit slip and complete your foldable/hw.

13. Take your paper and fold it long ways “hot dog style.” • Divide the front flap into 4 even sections. Use a ruler to make straight lines for cutting. • Use the scissors to cut 4 flaps to your foldable. • From the bottom going up, label the 5 layers of Earth’s atmosphere in the 4 flaps. (Mesosphere and Thermosphere will be in the same flap.) • Include altitudes with your labels on the front. • Inside each flap, write 3 facts about each layer. Refer to your lesson reading and notes for these facts. • On the front, color and decorate to depict images of each layer. • Show Ms. Lee for credit.