Thermal Energy

Thermal Energy: is the total energy of all the particles of an object. T.E. depends on the temperature of an object or liquid. Temperature: is a measure of the average energy of motion of the particles of a substance. Which particles move around faster? L, S, G? What is the source of all thermal energy?

The Sun’s energy is the source of wind, air currents and ocean currents in the Hydrologic Cycle.

Thermal energy (heat) can cause changes in density, pressure, and composition of air and water. 1. Density: the measure of how much mass of a substance is in a given volume. Compare the densities of oil and water? Water and sand?

Air has density The density of air changes at different altitudes. As altitude increases density goes ___________. As altitude decrease density goes ___________. WHY? There are less air molecules per cubic foot. As heat is added to air the molecules start moving faster and farther apart. This causes the density to __________________

Water has density too. As depth increases density ________________. As depth decreases density ________________.

2. Pressure: the force pushing or pulling on an object. What causes air or water to have pressure? GRAVITY Air pressure changes at different altitudes. As altitude increases pressure goes __________. As altitude decreases pressure goes _________. WHY? Because there are less air molecules for gravity to pull on the pressure decrease as you go up.

Does the pressure of water change as the depth increase? How? Because every gallon of water has weight, as depth increases there is more weight, creating more pressure.

Both global wind belts and local wind is created by a difference in air pressure. Air always wants to go to a place of less pressure. EX. A balloon Global winds blow from areas of high pressure around the poles to areas of low pressure around the Equator. EX. Jet Stream

Ocean currents are caused mainly by surface wind. They follow the major global wind patterns. EX. Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Drift

1. One partner hold balloon 1. One partner hold balloon. Second partner draw a vertical line from the top of the balloon to the bottom. 2. Describe the line. 3. This time, first partner should rotate the balloon as the second partner draws the vertical line. 4. Describe the line. 5. How does this relate to global winds and currents?

Coriolis Effect Wind and water currents curve or turn to the right (Clockwise) in the Northern Hemisphere. (opposite in Southern Hemisphere) What causes Coriolis? Earth’s rotation

Wind, Water Currents and Climate Climate is determined by two things: Temperature and precipitation Global winds carry warm or cold air masses that control an areas temperature. The distance an area is from an ocean also controls temperature. If you live close to a large body of water you temperatures will be much more mild.

Global winds will also control precipitation by bring humid or dry air masses. Humid air masses cause more precipitation. Dry air masses cause less precipitation.

clicker questions

As you go higher in the atmosphere what happens to air pressure? It increases It decreases It doesn't change I don’t Know

As you go deeper into the ocean what happens to pressure? It increases It decreases It doesn't change I don’t Know

What is the chemical composition of the atmosphere? 71% N, 28% O, 1% other gasses 85% O, 15% N 78% N, 21% O, 1% other gasses I don’t Know

_________ causes wind and water to turn clockwise in the N. Hemisphere. Coriolis Effect Salinity Effect Gravity I don’t know

The climate of an area is determined by _________________ Temperature Precipitation Temperature and precipitation I don’t know

The measure of the average energy of motion of the particles of a substance is: Temperature Thermal energy Gravity I don’t know

As altitude increases, density ______________. Stays the same Goes down Goes up I don’t know

Where is the greatest air density? At sea level Solon At the top of Mt. Everst I don’t know

What causes air pressure? Temperature Density Gravity I don’t know

Global winds, such as the Jet Stream, are caused by: differences in air pressure Differences in temperature Differences in density I really don’t know!

What causes ocean currents? Salinity differences Surface winds The gulf Stream I don’t know

Completely describe how wind and water currents can determine climate. This was very easy This was OK This was difficult