Energy in the ATM

Question 1

Define energy

Answer 1

An ability or capacity to do work

Question 2

kinetic energy

Answer 2

energy in motion

-directly proportional to velocity

Question 3

Potential energy

Answer 3

potential to conduct work

Question 4

Energy in the atmosphere

Answer 4

• short wave solar radiation which warms the earth
• incoming must balance outgoing
• some energy reflected/absorbed in the atm

Question 5

How many ways does heat transfer, and what are they

Answer 5

1. conduction: heat transfer through direct contact
2. convection: heat transfer by mass movement of a fluid (air, water)
3. radiation: heat transfer by electromagnetic waves (sun)

Question 6

Stefan-Boltzman Law

Answer 6

-all objects with temp greater than absolute zero emit radiation proportional to the fourth power of their absolute temp

Question 7

Radiative Equilibrium

Answer 7

-object at constant temp over time is called eq temp

Question 8

Explain why the atm is a selective absorber of radiation:

Answer 8

Diff gases: each are selective in the wavelengths of radiation they absorb

1. water vapour and co2 absorb most
2. absorbs most incoming UV

Question 9

what happens to incoming SW radiation

Answer 9

1. absorbed: ground, cloud, atmosphere
2. scattered (diffuse): clouds, air
3. transmitted (direct): passes through to ground 51%

Question 10

radiative properties of clouds:

Answer 10

clouds (tiny liquid droplets, especially low thick ones)

• reflect incoming sw
• good absorber of IR
• Good emitters of IR

Question 11

how is air heated in the atmosphere?

Answer 11

• air in lower atm warmed from the ground upward
• sunlight warms ground, air above is warmed by conduction, convection, and IR
• further warming occurs during condensed. when latent heat is released

Question 12

Describe the global energy distribution

Answer 12

• high latitudes: net energy deficit (loss>gain)

- low latitudes: net energy surplus (gain>loss) warm