1. Thermal Energy and Weather
It’s not just about temperature

2. WEATHER Air Pressure Humidity Wind Cloud Cover Precipitation
The conditions of the atmosphere at a particular time and place
Conditions include:
Air Pressure
Humidity
Wind
Cloud Cover
Precipitation
AND
Temperature

3. TEMPERATURE
A measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules of a substance.
All matter, whether a solid liquid or gas, is made up of molecules in motion.

4. Temperature can be measured using:

5. Thermal energy is the total amount of kinetic energy of all of the molecules that make up an object or substance.
So thermal energy is dependent on both:
Kinetic energy of the particles
The number of particles (mass)

6. Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from one object to another
Heat always moves from a warmer object or substance to a cooler one
(from particles with more kinetic energy to
particles that have less)
Once all particles have the same kinetic energy, thermal equilibrium is reached and transfer of energy stops.

7. Thermal Energy transfer happens three ways
Conduction
The transfer of energy from one part of a material to another or between two objects that are in physical contact with each other

8. Conductors
Materials through which heat transfer occurs easily

9. Materials that hinder the transfer of thermal energy
Insulators
Materials that hinder the transfer of thermal energy
Period 5 ended here 3/29

10. Thermal Energy transfer happens three ways
Radiation
Transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves

11. Thermal Energy transfer happens three ways
Convection
The transfer of energy caused by the circulation of matter due to differences in density

12. The troposphere is warmed by all three methods of transfer
Some of the sunlight that reaches earth’s surfaces is absorbed, increasing the kinetic energy of the molecules that make up those surface materials
Radiation

14. These warmed molecules emit infrared radiation which can then be absorbed by the air molecules

15. Air molecules that contact these surfaces gain kinetic energy as some of the energy gets transferred to them
Conduction

16. Air molecules that have gained kinetic energy from the surface molecules bump into each other more frequently and spread apart making the air less dense.
The warmer, less dense air rises through the cooler, surrounding air
Convection