Chapter 26 The Atmosphere, Energy in Processes, Insolation, Specific Heat, & Isotherms BFRB Topic 5 & Topic 6

Meteorology The study of weather The study of weather Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at any given time or place Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at any given time or place Much of weather forecasting and prediction can be accomplished by direct observation – LOOK OUT THE WINDOW!! Much of weather forecasting and prediction can be accomplished by direct observation – LOOK OUT THE WINDOW!! To predict weather, you must make observations of the clouds, wind, temperature, humidity, air pressure and precipitation To predict weather, you must make observations of the clouds, wind, temperature, humidity, air pressure and precipitation

Atmospheric Composition The Earth’s atmosphere is made up of many gases, but it is mostly nitrogen and oxygen (ESRT’s Page 11 top) The Earth’s atmosphere is made up of many gases, but it is mostly nitrogen and oxygen (ESRT’s Page 11 top) It also contains water vapor, dust, and ozone – O 3 (a form of oxygen which absorbs UVC rays from the sun) It also contains water vapor, dust, and ozone – O 3 (a form of oxygen which absorbs UVC rays from the sun) As you go higher in the atmosphere, the amount of air and air pressure (weight of air) decreases As you go higher in the atmosphere, the amount of air and air pressure (weight of air) decreases

Structure of the Atmosphere Made up of four layers, each with different characteristics (ESRT’s Page 14 top) Made up of four layers, each with different characteristics (ESRT’s Page 14 top) Troposphere- lowest layer (we live in this layer). All of Earth’s weather occurs in the troposphere. Temperature decreases as you go higher. Troposphere- lowest layer (we live in this layer). All of Earth’s weather occurs in the troposphere. Temperature decreases as you go higher. Stratosphere- above the troposphere, has strong winds. Temperature increases as you go higher because of the absorption of UV rays by ozone. Stratosphere- above the troposphere, has strong winds. Temperature increases as you go higher because of the absorption of UV rays by ozone. Mesosphere- above the stratosphere. Temperature decreases as you go higher. Mesosphere- above the stratosphere. Temperature decreases as you go higher. Thermosphere- above the mesosphere. Temperature increases as you go higher due to oxygen and nitrogen absorbing solar energy Thermosphere- above the mesosphere. Temperature increases as you go higher due to oxygen and nitrogen absorbing solar energy

ESRT’s Page 14 top

Movement of Heat – 3 Ways 1) Conduction- the movement of heat from molecule to molecule through contact with each other or other objects 1) Conduction- the movement of heat from molecule to molecule through contact with each other or other objects – Ex. Touching a hot pot on the stove

2) Radiation- the movement of Electromagnetic Energy (heat waves) across a distance 2) Radiation- the movement of Electromagnetic Energy (heat waves) across a distance – Ex. Warming your hands in front of a fireplace Earth receives EM energy radiated from the sun are relatively short wavelengths, and Earth reradiates this heat energy at longer wavelengths known as Infrared waves (heat) Earth receives EM energy radiated from the sun are relatively short wavelengths, and Earth reradiates this heat energy at longer wavelengths known as Infrared waves (heat) Energy received on Earth from the sun is called Insolation (incoming solar radiation) Energy received on Earth from the sun is called Insolation (incoming solar radiation) Movement of Heat Movement of Heat – 3 Ways

3) Convection- the movement of heat in currents 3) Convection- the movement of heat in currents The most effective form of heat transfer in liquids and gases The most effective form of heat transfer in liquids and gases – Air gets heated and expands – the molecules move apart - makes it less dense and lighter…it rises! – Colder air – molecules come together - is more dense and heavier so it sinks – It gets heated it rises, it cools it sinks – Just like in the putty-like asthenosphere!!!!! Movement of Heat – 3 Ways

CONVECTION CURRENT DUE TO DENSITY DIFFERENCES!!!!!!!!!

Greenhouse Effect Certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, etc.) allow short wavelengths of energy from the sun to enter the atmosphere Certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, etc.) allow short wavelengths of energy from the sun to enter the atmosphere Earth absorbs them and reradiates the heat as infrared (heat) waves, which have longer wavelengths Earth absorbs them and reradiates the heat as infrared (heat) waves, which have longer wavelengths The infrared waves cannot pass back through these gases and escape into space, so they become trapped in the atmosphere The infrared waves cannot pass back through these gases and escape into space, so they become trapped in the atmosphere This causesthe temperature on Earth to increase. This causes the temperature on Earth to increase. This is the cause of Global Warming. This is the cause of Global Warming.

Temperature Changes on Earth Temperature changes with seasonal change occur because the sun’s insolation strikes Earth at different angles (and therefore different intensities) Temperature changes with seasonal change occur because the sun’s insolation strikes Earth at different angles (and therefore different intensities) Where the sun’s rays strike Earth at 90°, the insolation is concentrated in a smaller area. This causes temperatures to be the greatest. Where the sun’s rays strike Earth at 90°, the insolation is concentrated in a smaller area. This causes temperatures to be the greatest. Where the sun’s rays hit Earth at very low angles, the insolation is spread out over a large area. This causes temperatures to be low. Where the sun’s rays hit Earth at very low angles, the insolation is spread out over a large area. This causes temperatures to be low.

in NYS

Warmest and Coldest Months Northern Hemisphere- Northern Hemisphere- – Maximum sunlight is June 21st, but maximum temperature is in July – there is a lag!!! – Minimum sunlight is December 21st, but minimum temperatures are experienced in January – there is a lag!!! It takes time for the heat to build up, and for maximum temperatures to be reached It takes time for the heat to build up, and for maximum temperatures to be reached Also, it takes time for heat to dissipate, and for minimum temperatures to be reached Also, it takes time for heat to dissipate, and for minimum temperatures to be reached

Warmest and Coldest Time of Day The coldest hour is usually just before sunrise, since the Earth has been cooling off all night – there is a lag!!!! The coldest hour is usually just before sunrise, since the Earth has been cooling off all night – there is a lag!!!! The warmest time is later in the afternoon (after solar noon), since the Earth is still receiving more heat than it is losing – there is a lag!!! The warmest time is later in the afternoon (after solar noon), since the Earth is still receiving more heat than it is losing – there is a lag!!!

Heating Water and Land Water and land heat up and cool off at different rates Water and land heat up and cool off at different rates This is due to their different heat capacities AKA SPECIFIC HEAT (P. 1 of ESRT’s) This is due to their different heat capacities AKA SPECIFIC HEAT (P. 1 of ESRT’s) Land needs very little energy to heat up (low heat capacity) Land needs very little energy to heat up (low heat capacity) – This allows land to heat up quickly, and also to cool down quickly Water needs more energy to heat up (high heat capacity) Water needs more energy to heat up (high heat capacity) – This allows water to heat up slowly and to cool off slowly - – WATER IS STUBBORN!!! It takes a long time to heat up and a long time to cool down…

Dark colors absorb energy well, and light colors reflect energy well (think...dark color clothes in winter, light colors clothes in summer) Dark colors absorb energy well, and light colors reflect energy well (think...dark color clothes in winter, light colors clothes in summer) Rough surfaces absorb energy well, while smooth surfaces reflect energy well (think…a mirror is smooth and reflects your image really well.) Rough surfaces absorb energy well, while smooth surfaces reflect energy well (think…a mirror is smooth and reflects your image really well.) VIF – The best ABSORBERS make the best EMITTERS of energy. VIF – The best ABSORBERS make the best EMITTERS of energy. This is why radiators (heaters) are often black in color!!! This is why radiators (heaters) are often black in color!!! The Rules of Absorber and Reflectors

Air temperature and other weather conditions of different locations are affected by how near or far they are from water (oceans) due to heat capacity Air temperature and other weather conditions of different locations are affected by how near or far they are from water (oceans) due to heat capacity VIF - Water has a mitigating effect to extremes of temperature and climate VIF - Water has a mitigating effect to extremes of temperature and climate For example, a coastal city may have a average annual high of 75 ° and an average annual low of 40 °. (35 ° range) For example, a coastal city may have a average annual high of 75 ° and an average annual low of 40 °. (35 ° range) An inland city may have an average annual high of 82 ° and an average annual low of 33 °. (49 ° range) An inland city may have an average annual high of 82 ° and an average annual low of 33 °. (49 ° range) The coastal city is near the water, so the water’s temperature doesn’t change as quickly as the land’s temperature due to water’s high specific heat. The coastal city is near the water, so the water’s temperature doesn’t change as quickly as the land’s temperature due to water’s high specific heat. How Does Water’s High Specific Heat Affect Weather & Climate?

ISOTHERMS Temperatures are shown on maps by using Isotherms Temperatures are shown on maps by using Isotherms These are lines which connect areas of equal temperature These are lines which connect areas of equal temperature These are very similar to contour lines, and they are read the same way!! These are very similar to contour lines, and they are read the same way!! Example – closely spaced isotherms mean a fast change in temperature the same way closely spaced contour lines mean a fast change in elevation. Example – closely spaced isotherms mean a fast change in temperature the same way closely spaced contour lines mean a fast change in elevation.

Where in the US is the steepest temperature gradient? Where is the gentlest temperature gradient?