This document discusses various topics relating to energy in the atmosphere, including: - Heat energy and how it relates to the movement of atoms - Different types of radiation that make up the electromagnetic spectrum - How solar radiation interacts with layers of the atmosphere and is absorbed by certain gases - Processes like scattering, reflection, and the greenhouse effect that redistribute heat energy

1. Energy in the Atmosphere

2. Heat Energy (aka all you need to know about
Thermodynamics)
 Heat energy is the speed at which atoms move
 More heat energy, faster movement of atoms
 No such thing as cold, just less heat energy

3. Radiation:
 All energy that travels through space as waves, all are
part of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

4. Electromagnetic Spectrum:
 All the frequencies and wavelengths of radiation
 Includes radio, micro, infrared, visible light, UV, X-
rays, and gamma rays

5. Layers of the Atmosphere and Solar Radiation:
 Thermosphere and mesosphere absorb all
wavelengths shorter than visible light
 Carbon dioxide and water vapor absorb infrared rays
in troposphere
 Visible light is barely absorbed

6. Scattering:
 The disruption and bending of
solar rays, allows light to come in
at all angles and causes the sky to
be blue

7. Reflection:
 Solar energy that reaches the Earth and is reflected
back depending on characteristics such as color,
texture, composition, volume, mass, transparency,
state of matter, intensity of light, and amount of time
exposed

8. Albedo:
 The fraction of solar radiation that is reflected off the
surface

9. Greenhouse Effect:
 The warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of
Earth that occurs when carbon dioxide, water vapor
and other gases in the air absorb and reradiate the
infrared radiation (heat)

10. Global Warming:
a) Usually the amount of solar energy that enters the
atmosphere is equal to the amount that escapes
b) Human effects have led to an imbalance or
reduction of solar energy escaping back into space,
thus resulting in higher global temperatures due to
excess carbon dioxide being released

11. Effects of the Angle of the Sun
a) The more direct the sunlight, the higher the
temperatures because the energy is concentrated in
a smaller area

12. Effects of the Angle of the Sun
b) As a result, seasons are determined by the tilt of the
Earth

13. Effects of the Angle of the Sun
c) Tilt varies but not enough to account for global
warming

14. Effects of the Angle of the Sun
d) Therefore, we are angled towards the sun during
summer and away during winter
e) We are closer to the sun during the winter and
farther away during the summer

15. Conduction:
 The transfer of energy through direct contact
 The denser the material, the closer the atoms, the
better the conductor

16. Convection:
 Warmer less dense air rises, cooler more dense air
sinks

17. Movement of the Atmosphere

18. 1. Wind is caused by the uneven heating of the
Earth and its atmosphere
2. These temperature differences lead to the
creation of high pressure and low pressure areas
3. Wind – the movement of air from an area of high
pressure to an area of low pressure
Wind Formation:

19. 1. Tilt in orbit around the
sun
2. Curved surface of the
Earth
3. Equator receives the
most radiation, poles
receive the least
Cause of Temperature Differences:

20. 1. Warm air is less dense than cold air so it rises
2. Cold air sinks and moves along the Earth’s
surface
Density of Air:

21.  The tendency of a moving object to follow a
curved path rather than a straight one due to
Earth’s rotation
  Only perceived, the object/air is moving
along a straight line, but the Earth is moving
underneath it
Coriolis Effect:

23.  Concept: Land heats up and cools down faster
than water
Local Winds:

24.  Wind blowing from land to sea during the night
 Caused by:
• Water cools off slower so it warms the air
above it causing it to rise
• Air above land moves in to replace it
Land Breeze:

25.  Wind blowing from sea to land during the day
 Caused by:
• Land warmed faster by the sun
• Air warmed above land rises
• Air above water moves in to replace it
Sea Breeze:

27. Water in the Atmosphere

28. Water Cycle:

29. a) Ice – solid
b) Water – liquid (MOST DENSE)
c) Water Vapor – gas
3 States of Water in Atmosphere

30. Warmer air can hold more water than cold air
Heat, Water, & the Atmosphere