2.2

Conduction, Convection, and Radiation Conduction: this is the transfer of energy from one particle to another through collisions. Convection: is the cycling of particles as particles with more energy rise, they are replaced with lower energy particles.

Conduction, Convection, and Radiation Radiation is energy that is transferred through electromagnetic radiation. There is no colliding or moving of particles.

The effect of Currents on Climate There are two types of currents: Warm water Cold water One of the main currents that gives North America its warm climate is the gulf stream and the North Atlantic Drift. Gulf stream waters bring warm tropical waters to north eastern US and Canada.

El Nino and La Nina El Nino is a disruption of the ocean atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific. During El nino the wind direction over the south pacific reverses and winds flow east. This causes droughts in SE Asia and Northern Australia. Heavy rains in western SA.

El nino and La Nina In Western NA El Nino produces a warming trend in the winter months Reduces the number of hurricanes and tornados in North America.

El Nino and La Nina La nina is the opposite of el Nino. It is characterized by more intense westward winds. This cools the surface waters in the ocean. Wetter than normal conditions in Australia and SE Asia Eastern Canada and US warmer and drier. Western NA colder than usual.

Patterns of Wind Movement Winds are created by changes in air pressure. High pressure is created by the cooling of air as it descends to the surface. Low pressure is created as warm air expands and rises.

Convection Currents As the air near the equator warms it moves towards the poles. As air reaches the poles it cools and descends toward the equator. There are three areas of latitude that have changes in air flow direction as well. 0° 30° 60°

Convection current and the Coriolis effect As the Earth spins at a rate of 300 m/s its spin effects the air flow and wind direction. The Coriolis effect is the effect the spin of the earth has on air flow causing them to move more sideways than up and down.

Jet Streams Jet streams are fast moving air about 10 – 15 km above the earth’s surface. The jet stream forms the boundaries of warm and cold air. In winter when there is more shift between warm and cool air the jet stream is larger and faster compared to the summer.

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