Energy

Question 1

Define Radiation

Answer 1

energy that travels in the form of electromagnetic waves

Question 2

How is radiation emitted by Earth different than radiation emitted by the Sun?

Answer 2

• Earth: longwave radiation

- Sun: shortwave radiation, sun emits more radiation

Question 3

What causes scattering and reflection of SW Radn?

Answer 3

• Gases
• Aerosols (dust, sea salt, smoke)
• Clouds

Question 4

Why is the sky blue?

Answer 4

The gas molecules in the atmosphere scatter blue light

Question 5

Define “Albedo”

Answer 5

-the proportion % of SW radn energy scattered upward by a surface

Question 6

High Albedo

Answer 6

-Reflects a lot of the suns radn

Question 7

Examples of High Albedo

Answer 7

1) Snow & Ice
2) Clouds
3) Deserts
4) Water

Question 8

Low Albedo

Answer 8

-absorbs a lot of the suns radn

Question 9

Examples of Low Albedo

Answer 9

1) Forests
2) Water
3) Earth & Atmosphere
4) Moon

Question 10

How are clouds like umbrellas?

Answer 10

-clouds cool earth by reflecting SW radn back into astmos

=negative feedback effect

Question 11

How are clouds like blankets?

Answer 11

-clouds warm earth by absorbing LW radn and emitting it back to the earth’s surface
=positive feedback effect

Question 12

Is the atmosphere better at absorbing LW or SW radn?

Answer 12

-Long Wave radn.

=greenhouse effect

Question 13

what effect do low thick clouds have?

Answer 13

• net cooling affect

- low clouds have higher albedos

Question 14

What effect do high clouds have?

Answer 14

-net warming effect

Question 15

What is the “Greenhouse Effect”?

Answer 15

Accumulation of heat in the lower atmosphere through the absorption of long wave radiation from the Earth’s Surface

Question 16

what does the earth’s surface gain radiation from? 2 sources

Answer 16

1) Sun

2) Atmosphere

Question 17

What strengthens the GHE?

Answer 17

1) Clouds (umbrella vs. blanket)

2) Human Activity

Question 18

Explain how the greenhouse effect operates.

Answer 18

1) Earth’s surface=absorbs the suns radiation (SW), and emits longwave radiation.
2) Atmos= absorbs most of the LW from the earth’s surface in clouds and greenhouse gases.
3) Atmosphere=emits LW radiation back to the surface to be absorbed, and up into space.

Question 19

What is heat transfer?

Answer 19

=energy in the process of being transferred btw. objects of diff. temps
-high temp–>low temp

Question 20

What are the 3 methods of heat transfer?

Answer 20

1) Conduction (solids)
2) Convection (liquids + gases)
3) Radiation (electro. waves)

Question 21

How does Conduction transfers heat away from Earth’s surface

Answer 21

=by a transfer of energy from one molecule to the next, causing a decrease in temperature.

Question 22

How does Convection transfers heat away from Earth’s surface

Answer 22

=when a fluid is heated by a warm surface, expands, and rises creating an upward flow

Question 23

How does Radiation transfers heat away from Earth’s surface

Answer 23

=by emitting long wave radiation into the atmosphere