Solar-Weather-Ocean Unit Notes

Radiant Energy = from the Sun Radiant energy drives changes in weather & creates different climates. Weather changes from day to day. Climate = a region’s general pattern of weather over a long period of time. The equator receives the most direct angle of sunlight, creating the warmest climates. 1 of 11

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Heating differences causes there to be different air masses. cool air (or water) is more dense than warm, so it sinks, creating currents by convection sun heats land and oceans by radiation land/ocean heats the air above it by conduction 3 of 11

Air movements create weather changes. Air mass = A body of air that has similar pressure, temperature, & humidity. Different air mass pressures cause wind. Air moves from high to low pressure areas. Generally blow from poles toward equator Weather often changes when air pressure changes A front is where two air masses meet or collide 4 of 11

Warm air rises, decreasing the air pressure. 5 of 11

Land-Ocean Interactions Land heats up faster than water (= the ocean). The air over the land will also heat quickly. Warm air rises, starting a convection current. This brings moist ocean air inland. Ocean air holds a lot of water vapor. Warm air can also hold more water vapor. When air cools, it may no longer be able to hold on to all of the water vapor, forming clouds & precipitation. 6 of 11

Vocab ! 7 of 11

Oceans also impact climate via currents… Oceans can also influence weather in extreme ways, such as in the formation of hurricanes. = A low pressure tropical storm that forms over ocean water. Oceans impact climate because they heat and cool slowly (=good insulator!). Land near the ocean is often warmer in winter and cooler in summer, meaning inland climates differ from those near the ocean at the same latitude. Oceans also impact climate via currents… 8 of 11

Current – movement of water in the ocean Surface currents are affected by - Winds Continental deflections Coriolis Effect – following the curve of the Earth as it rotates Deep ocean currents are affected by - Temperature differences (density) Salinity differences (density) 9 of 11

Movement of currents is constant and creates a “global conveyor belt” that transfers heat from one part of the Earth to another via water. 10 of 11

Ocean currents can bring in air of a different temperature that makes one area on Earth warmer than another at the same latitude Example: Gulf Stream brings warm air into England, making it warmer than Nova Scotia, Canada at the same latitude. 11 of 11