Solar Energy And Atmopshere

Front 1

The earths atmosphere is heated in two ways; What are they?

Back 1

1.When gasses absorb radiation from the sun
2.when gasses absorb heat given off by the oceans, and heat the surface of the earth thats absorbed from the sun.

Front 2

Energy from the sun travels through space as radiation. How fast does it travel?

Back 2

300,000 km/s

Front 3

The do different types of radiation have;?

Back 3

different wavelengths

(gamma,xrays,uv,visible,infrared,microwave,radio)

Front 4

How does the atmosphere affect radiation?

Back 4

1. Nitrogen and Oxygen in the thermosphere absorb XRAYS, GAMMA, and UVRAYS
2.The stratosphere absorbs UV RAYS creating ozone

Front 5

What is reflection?

Back 5

Reflection occurs when light changes direction as a result of "bouncing off" a surface like a mirror.

20% of radiation
30% is reflected or scattered
50% is absorbed by the surface by the surface of the earth.

Front 6

When you feel the warmth of the sun you are feeling_______?

Back 6

Infrared Radiation

Front 7

What is the process in which the earth heats its self?

Back 7

1. Infared radiation passes through the upper atmosphere
2.Infrared is absorbed by the surface.
3.The surface gives off heat by engergy
4. Carbon dioxide and water vapor.
( if there is extra carbon dioxide in the air the more heat energy can be absorbed)

Front 8

How warm the atmosphere becomes in any region on the earths surface depends on several factors. What are they?

Back 8

1.Latitude-Closer to the equator, higher the sun angle.
2.Elevation-Higher elevations are colder
3.Land and water-cools and heats faster than water.
4.Delay in heating-It takes time in the day for land to heat.

Front 9

Most heating of the atmosphere comes from radiation. A small amount comes from conduction and convection. What happens?

Back 9

1. Land heats air by conduction
2.Air circulates heat by convection

Front 10

1.What happens when there is high pressure air?
2.What happens when air flows from the poles?

Back 10

1.High air pressure flows to low pressure
2.when air flows from the poles it goes to the equator of the surface

Front 11

What is the coriolis effect?

Back 11

The earths surface dragging air.

Northern hemisphere-winds deflect to the right

southern Hemisphere-Winds deflect to the left

Front 12

What are 2 of the major windbelts?

Back 12

1.Trade Winds-Winds flowing towards the equator between 30 derees and 0 degrees latitude
a. Northern hemisphere-northeast
b.Southern hemipshere-southeast.

2.Doldrums-Where the trade wind system of the northern and southern hemisphere meet at the equator. (low pressure belt)

Front 13

What are the other 2 wind belts?

Back 13

3.Horse Latitudes-a belt of high pressire in the vicinity of 30 degrees latitude. Created by descending are.

4.Westerlies- Wind belt in both the northern and souther hemipshere.(michigans windbelt)
Nothern hemisphere-South west
Southern Hemipshere-Noth west

*Continental united states located here.

Front 14

What are the three major pressure zones?

Back 14

1.Polar easterlies-Created by polar high winds deflected by the coriolis effect.

2.Sub polar lows-Created by the westerlies and the easterlies coliding. Storms regions.

3. Polar high- cold air sinking at the poles.

Front 15

Because of the different seasons________________________________________________?

Back 15

The pressure zones shift slighty during a year.