EARTH-ATMOSPHERE HEAT IMBALANCES

Question 1

EARTH-ATMOSPHERE ENERGY BALANCE

Answer 1

BALANCE BETWEEN INCOMING ENERGY FROM THE SUN AND OUTGOING ENERGY FROM THE EARTH
ENERGY CAN BE REFLECTED BY AIR, CLOUDS, OR SURFACE.
ENERGY CAN BE ABSORBED BY VAPOR, CLOUDS, OR SURFACE

Question 2

DEVELOPMENT OF A THERMAL

Answer 2

HEAT CONDUCTED FROM WARM GROUND TO COOL AIR
WARMING SHALLOW LAYER OF AIR NEAR THE GROUND
HEATED AIR EXPANDS BECOMING LESS DENSE AND BEGINS TO RISE
THIS AIR IS THEN REPLACED BY COOLER AIR

Question 3

HEAT IMBALANCE WITH LATITUDE

Answer 3

LOWER ALTITUDES RECEIVE MORE MORE RADIATION THAN HIGHER ALTITUDE DUE TO THE ANGLE OF THE RADIATION

Question 4

SEASONS

Answer 4

CAUSED BY THE TILT OF EARTH AXIS (23.5°)

Question 5

DIURNAL TEMPERATURE VARIATION

Answer 5

DAYTIME MAXIMUM AND NIGHTTIME MINIMUM OF AIR TEMPERATURE DUE TO VARIATIONS OF INSOLATION CAUSED BY RISING AND SETTING OF THE SUN