Energy and Earth

Energy The ability to do work and produce heat

Energy It’s all about energy. Energy and its transfer controls the Universe and Earth’s systems.

Sources of Energy Chemical – Energy released during a chemical reaction. Nuclear – Energy released during fission or fusion Electromagnetic – Energy from the electromagnetic spectrum

Electromagnetic Energy Energy that radiates from the sun. Electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) arranged by wavelength. All EM waves travel at the speed of light. Only difference between EM waves is wavelength.

Chemical Energy Energy released during a chemical reaction. Burning

Nuclear Fusion Atoms fuse together to form a larger atom. Results in a release of energy. Sun Hydrogen atoms fuse together to form a helium atom.

Nuclear Fission The splitting of an atom’s nucleus into two smaller nuclei. Results in a release of energy. Earth’s core Atoms decay creating heat.

It’s Fairly Simple Earth has two sources of energy: – Radioactive decay in the core (fission) - Internal – Fusion in the sun radiates to the Earth in the form of electromagnetic energy - External Both sources of energy are nuclear.

States of Energy Potential – Stored energy – gasoline, snow pack, reservoir. Kinetic – The energy of motion – flowing water, waves, landslides, thunderstorm.

Thermal Energy Heat is thermal energy transferring from one substance to another. Differences in temperature cause the transfer. Matter does NOT contain heat. Matter contains thermal energy.

Thermal Energy (cont.) Heat is thermal energy in transit. After heat is transferred, it ceases to be heat and becomes thermal energy again.

Transfer of Energy Three ways to transfer energy 1 Conduction – the movement of heat (energy) in solids by its contact with a hotter object. – slow process (core-mantle) Three ways to transfer energy 1 Conduction – the movement of heat (energy) in solids by its contact with a hotter object. – slow process (core-mantle)

Transfer of Energy 2 Convection – the movement of heat by currents in liquids & gases because of temperature and density differences. - Fast process (air, upper mantle)

Transfer of Energy 3 Radiation – the transfer of heat in gases or a vacuum in the form of waves. Hot objects radiate heat. – Very fast process (infrared, ultraviolet waves) 3 Radiation – the transfer of heat in gases or a vacuum in the form of waves. Hot objects radiate heat. – Very fast process (infrared, ultraviolet waves)

Here’s How It Works! Energy In Temperature increases Density decreases Volume increases Pressure Decreases Energy Out Volume decreases Pressure increases Atoms move faster and get farther apart Atoms move slower and get closer together Temperature decreases Density increases

Atoms Become excited as the added energy causes electrons to jump up an energy level They move faster and farther apart.

Temperature Is the measure of how fast atoms are moving. The more energy into the system the faster the atoms will move and the higher the temperature.

Density Is the measure of the number of atoms in a given area. The faster the atoms move and the farther apart they get the fewer there will be in the same area.

Volume Is the space a set number of atoms occupy. The farther apart the atoms are the more space they take up.

Pressure Is the measure of how many atoms are pushing on a given space. The fewer the atoms on a given space the lower the pressure.

A Note on Pressure Pressure will decrease as long as the atoms are able to move freely. If the atoms are contained the pressure will increase as they try to spread out. Think of a tea kettle and a pot of boiling water. Increased pressure Decreased pressure

Equilibrium / Homeostasis Nature wants everything to be equal and balanced. If hot and cold water are put together what happens? The energy is spread equally until the temperature is the same throughout. Open a bottle of perfume. Does the fragrance stay in the bottle or diffuse?

ENERGY & IT’S TRANSFER DRIVES THE EARTH SYSTEMS OCEAN CURRENTS PLATE TECTONICS WEATHER SYSTEMS RADIOACTIVE DECAY

Energy Questions. 1.What is electromagnetic energy? Where does it come from? How does it travel? 2.How does energy from the sun affect the water cycle? 3.Explain how a molecule of water from the ocean can end up as precipitation in the mountains. 4.Draw the energy diagram. Then explain how each factor works. 5.Describe in detail exactly what causes warmer gasses and liquids to rise, and cooler gasses and liquids to fall. What Kind of energy transfer is this? 6. Explain what equilibrium is and then give an example of it found in nature.