Intro to Weather Notes

What is the Weather? Important factors that determines the state of the atmosphere: Air pressure Wind Temperature Amount of water vapor in air

What about severe Weather? When the previous factors are at extreme levels, the following occur: Tornados Hurricanes Drought Thunderstorms lightning Blizzards Floods

Where does Earth get all of its energy? Internal Energy Comes from the Earth’s core Very little comes from geothermal Also, some from earthquakes and volcanoes

The Earth as a Furnace The Earth was hotter way long ago 3 ways it produced heat: 1. Extraterrestrial impacts 2. Gravitational contraction 3. Radioactive decay of elements

Extraterrestrial Impacts Iron meteorites, stony meteorites, comets all impacted Earth Typical velocities were 30,000-50,000km/hr This kinetic energy was converted to heat energy upon impact

Gravitational Contraction Early Earth was less compact than now Over time has gone through accretion (compaction) As Earth’s compaction increased, gravitational energy has been converted into heat energy

Decay of Radioactive Elements Radioactive elements are unstable They eventually breakdown into stable forms Heat is released as they breakdown

External Energy The main source of external energy is the SUN!!!!!! Solar energy – alternative energy