1 - Energy in the Atmosphere

Question 1

Where is most of the air mass?

Answer 1

Troposphere consists 90% of the air mass
Stratosphere contains ozone layer

Question 2

Why is dry air analysed?

Answer 2

Average air composition. Water causes chemical fluctuations

Question 3

Forms of energy?

Answer 3

Kinetic, potential, heat, chemical, radiation (high wavelength, low energy)

Question 4

Wien’s law

Answer 4

objects at different temperatures emit spectra at different wavelengths
Inverse relationship. Peak wavelength depends on temperature.

Question 5

Black body

Answer 5

An idealised physical body which absorbs all incident radiation regardless of frequency or angle. smooth spectrum. Emit radiation in a range of wavelengths according to Planck’s curve - smooth spectrum

Question 6

Stefan Boltzmann law

Answer 6

Total emitted energy increases with temperature
Doubling T is extreme - T4

Question 7

Why does the sun radiate at a shorter wavelength?

Answer 7

Higher surface temperature thus more radiation and higher energy

Question 8

Shortwave radiation?

Answer 8

Reflection, scattering, absorption, re-emission

Question 9

Why are incoming and outgoing fluxes almost equal? *(check)

Answer 9

Due to dynamic state equilibrium. Climate responds to changes in radiation primarily through chemical weathering

Question 10

Why is most absorption over tropical areas? *

Answer 10

Highest level of incoming radiation (direct), more clouds which can absorb radiation and no ice albedo effect

Question 11

How is energy transferred laterally?

Answer 11

Sensible heat, latent heat and ocean currents

Question 12

Why do deserts cool and heat more quickly than the ocean?

Answer 12

Lower heat capacity and thus faster response time

Question 13

Why is there seasonal variations in co2? *

Answer 13

Most decomposition occurs from fall to spring (increased co2) and most photosynthesis during spring to fall. Also influenced by Milankovitch and sub Milankovitch cycles

Question 14

Why is there the opposite seasonal cycle for o2? *

Answer 14

Inverse relationship. During summer there is low co2 but high o2 due to increased photosynthesis where o2 is a biproduct

Question 15

Where does weather occur?

Answer 15

Troposphere

Question 16

Kinetic energy

Answer 16

energy which a body posses by being in motion

Question 17

Chemical energy

Answer 17

electrical energy bound in the chemical structure of a substance, and can be released via kinetic or thermal energy.

Question 18

Potential energy

Answer 18

energy held by a body due to its position. Related to gravity

Question 19

Sensible heat

Answer 19

amount of heat required to change the temperature of a substance without altering its phase. E.g. when the temperature of a body declines, the heat removed is the sensible heat (can be felt). I.e. changes temperature

Question 20

Latent heat

Answer 20

energy absorbed or released by a substance during a change in state, without changing temperature. i.e. changes state

Question 21

Explain diurnal variation?

Answer 21

At dawn the sun is low in the sky and radiation will be spread over a larger area. This area will decrease as the sun rises, thus intensity increases particularly in areas where the incident angle is lowest (equator). The length of day also influences radiation received; at the equator approximately 12 hours of sunlight is received.

Question 22

Explain seasonal variations in insolation?

Answer 22

This is due to the changing direction of tilt of the Earth relative to the sun and the eccentricity of Earth’s orbit. Earth is closest to the sun in perihelion (January) and furthest in Aphelion (June)

Question 23

How is energy balance maintained?

Answer 23

By net poleward transfer of heat, feeding higher latitudes and draining lower latitudes to reduce extremes.