Weather Factors

Energy in Earth’s Atmosphere

Chapter 2 Section 1

The sun provides nearly all of the energy which powers the atmosphere.

That energy comes to us in the form of electromagnetic radiation.

Energy From the Sun

Electromagnetic Radiation

Energy in the Atmosphere

About 50% of energy is absorbed by the surface. The absorbed energy is then reradiated back into the atmosphere.

This energy is then absorbed by greenhouse gases and reradiated again, thus maintaining the Earth’s warmth.

Energy at Surface

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere keeping it warm.

If there’s too much of such gas in the atmosphere the temperature will rise.

Greenhouse Gases

Heat Transfer

Energy Transfer

Energy flows from a warm object to a cool object.

Heat

Temperature

Thermal Energy

The transfer of heat as light energy. Radiation can travel through empty space, from the Sun to the Earth.

Radiation

Radiation

The transfer of heat from one object to another by physical contact.

Conduction

Conduction

The transfer of heat by the movement of large numbers of particles within a liquid or

gas.

Convection

Convection