Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere
Energy transfer
Some solar energy that reaches Earth’s atmosphere is reflected back, some is absorbed by the atmosphere, and some is absorbed by Earth’s surface. About 30% of the solar energy is reflected by the cloud, dust in air, gases and the surface. 20% is absorbed by the clouds and gases. But the rest of the solar energy is absorbed by the Earth’s surface. The atmosphere is primarily heated by the Earth’s surface by reflecting the infrared radiation. Certain gases in the atmosphere such as water vapor and carbon dioxide absorbs the infrared radiation. Some of the radiation absorbed is sent back to the surface to warm, this process is called the greenhouse effect.
Energy is transferred within the troposphere in three ways: radiation, convection, and conduction.
Radiation- Much of the sun’s radiation reaches Earth’s surface, where it heats the land and water. Land and water radiate heat back into the atmosphere.
Conduction- The conduction process transfers heat from land and water directly to the few meters of air nearest Earth’s surface.
Convection- Convection moves heat through the troposphere. As surface air is heated by radiation and conduction rising warm air is replaced by denser, downward-flowing cool air.
Some solar energy that reaches Earth’s atmosphere is reflected back, some is absorbed by the atmosphere, and some is absorbed by Earth’s surface. About 30% of the solar energy is reflected by the cloud, dust in air, gases and the surface. 20% is absorbed by the clouds and gases. But the rest of the solar energy is absorbed by the Earth’s surface. The atmosphere is primarily heated by the Earth’s surface by reflecting the infrared radiation. Certain gases in the atmosphere such as water vapor and carbon dioxide absorbs the infrared radiation. Some of the radiation absorbed is sent back to the surface to warm, this process is called the greenhouse effect.
Energy is transferred within the troposphere in three ways: radiation, convection, and conduction.
Radiation- Much of the sun’s radiation reaches Earth’s surface, where it heats the land and water. Land and water radiate heat back into the atmosphere.
Conduction- The conduction process transfers heat from land and water directly to the few meters of air nearest Earth’s surface.
Convection- Convection moves heat through the troposphere. As surface air is heated by radiation and conduction rising warm air is replaced by denser, downward-flowing cool air.
Air pressure
Global WindCoriolis Effect |
Air Pressure
Wind is caused by different air pressure. Air naturally flows from higher pressure to lower pressure. The difference of heat is caused by the uneven heating of the earth. The heated air with low pressure rises. the cooler air sinks with high pressure replacing the other. Sea breeze is caused during the day when the cool air from the sea moves and replaces the heated air on the land. Land breeze is caused during the night when the cooler air from the land moves and replaces the heated air on the sea. Global wind Winds that blow in a from a specific direction is called the global winds. This is a part of world wide pattern of air circulation and this is caused by the uneven heating of the Earth. Global winds move in bands called the convection cell. The warm air made in the equator gets replaced by the cooler air in other latitudes. So the global winds blow from the equator to the poles. Trade winds are wind belts in the north and south of the equator. The prevailing westerlies occur between 30 to 60 latitude in both hemisphere. Coriolis effect If the earth is not moving on its axis, global winds will move straight. Since earth rotates global winds move in a curved shape between the pole and equator. This curving effect that earth makes by rotating is called the Coriolis Effect. This effect apply on any object such as rockets. If the Earth was not rotating the rocket will go straight to the location. But since the earth underneath it is rotating the rocket ends up in a different location and it appears to move in a curved shape. Monsoon Seasonal changes in the heating of the earth’s surface affects the circulation of the atmosphere. A monsoon is a wind system that is characterized by seasonal reversal of direction. monsoon is similar to land breeze and sea breeze but occurs in much wider and longer scale. Summer monsoon blows warm humid air from the ocean and brings heavy rainfall.In reverse winter monsoon brings dried weather. Jet streams Global wind patterns are also affected by jet streams. Jet stream is a belt of high speed wind in the upper troposphere. Jet streams are caused by great difference in in air pressure developing high altitude. |