Chapter 2 Flashcards
F to C Formula
0.55 * (F-32)
Latent Heat
The energy required to change a substance from one state to another
Sublimation
When solid immediately turns to gas
Deposition
When a gas immediately turns solid
Sensible Heat
The heat that can be measured and felt
How is evaporation a cooling process?
The energy in water vapor is taken away from the source and stored in the vapor in the air
Latent Heat in Clouds
As water vapor rises into the atmosphere, it cools and condenses into cloud which releases all of the energy which was contained during the vapor state. Atmospheric heating ensues
Conduction
The transfer of heat from molecule to molecule. Think of a hairpin held over a flame which will eventually burn your skin
Why does metal feel colder?
It conducts heat away faster than other objects
Convection
The transfer of heat by the mass movement of a fluid or gas
Convection in the Atmosphere
Parts of the earth are heated faster than others which causes heated pockets of air to rise and cooler air to flow down. The heated air cools and falls and the cooler air at the ground level heats and rises. Circulation of these two ensues
Thermals
The rising warm air bubbles during atmospheric convection
Advection
The horizontal movement of convection. Wind blowing water vapor into cooler temperatures resulting in condensation and thus a release of latent heat
Radiant Energy
Heat energy transferred from the suns rays that don’t impact the air
Radiation and the Atmosphere
Radiation from the sun heats Ozone, CO2, and water vapor which then increases the air temperature
How Greenhouse Gases heat the Atmosphere
They allow solar radiation to pass through. The solar radiation is absorbed by the earth and infrared radiation is reflected away from the earth and absorbed by the gases
Solar Constant
The amount of energy received from the sun. 1361 watts per square meter
Albedo
The amount of radiation bouncing off of a surface
Why are suns rays weaker when low on the horizon?
They have to penetrate more atomosphere
Angle of earths tilt
23.5 degrees
Tropic on Cancer Latitude
23.5 degrees north
Latitude of Arctic Circle
66.5 degrees north
When does the sun stay above the horizon at the North Pole?
March 20 to September 22 or exactly 6 months
Insolation
Incoming solar radiation
Why is the summer in the Southern Hemisphere cooler than summer in the Northern Hemisphere?
Because the water absorbs the suns rays which prevent extra heating
Why is vegetation more lush on the north side of hills in the northern hemisphere?
The south side receives more sunlight and heats up more and thus have higher evaporation rates and less plant life
