1. Chapter 2 Solar Energy, Seasons, and the Atmosphere
Elemental Geosystems 5e
Robert W. Christopherson
Charles E. Thomsen

3. Solar Energy, Seasons, and the Atmosphere
The Solar System, Sun, and Earth  
Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth  
The Seasons 
Atmospheric Composition, Temperature and Function
Variable Atmospheric Components

4. The Solar System, Sun, and Earth
Dimensions and Distances, and Earth’s orbit

5. Milky Way Galaxy
Figure 2.1

6. Our Solar System
Figure 2.1

7. Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth
Solar wind  
Electromagnetic Spectrum of Radiant Energy
Incoming Energy at the Top of the Atmosphere 
Solar constant
Uneven distribution of insolation
Global net radiation

8. Solar Activity and Solar Wind
Solar wind is clouds of electrically charged particles
Sunspots are caused by magnetic storms
Sunspots have activity cycle of 11 years
Figure 2.2

9. Aurora Borealis
Figure 2.4

10. Wavelength and Frequency
Figure 2.5

11. The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Figure 2.6

12. Solar and Terrestrial Energy
Figure 2.7

13. Earth’s Energy Budget
Figure 2.8

14. Figure 2.9

15. Daily Net Radiation
Figure 2.10

16. The Seasons Seasonality Reasons for Seasons
Revolution
Rotation
Tilt of Earth’s axis
Axial parallelism
Annual March of the Seasons  
Seasonal observations

17. Revolution and Rotation
Figure 2.11

18. Earth’s Axial Tilt
Figure 2.12

19. Annual March of the Seasons
Figure 2.13

20. Earth–Sun Relationships

21. Characteristics of the Solstices and Equinoxes

23. Midnight Sun
Figure 2.14

24. Seasonal Observations
Figure 2.15

25. Atmospheric Composition, Temperature, and Function
Atmospheric Profile  
Atmospheric Composition Criterion  
Atmospheric Temperature Criterion  
Atmospheric Function Criterion  

26. Atmospheric Pressure
Figure 2.18

27. Atmospheric Pressure Variation with Altitude

28. Profile of Atmosphere
Figure 2.17

29. Temperature Profile
Figure 2.20

30. Protective Atmosphere
Figure 2.21

31. Atmospheric Function Ionosphere Ozonosphere
Absorbs cosmic rays, gamma rays, X-rays, some UV rays
Ozonosphere
Part of stratosphere
Ozone (O3) absorbs UV energy and converts it to heat energy

32. Atmospheric Composition
Heterosphere – Outer Atmosphere
80 km (50 mi) outwards, to thermosphere
Layers of gases sorted by gravity
Homosphere – Inner Atmosphere
Surface to 80 km (50 mi)
Gases evenly blended

33. Composition of the Homosphere
Figure 2.19

34. Importance of Ozone
Ozone filters out most of the UV radiation from the Sun
Decreased concentration allows more of these harmful wavelengths to reach Earth’s surface
Increase risks of skin cancer
Impair the human immune system
Promote cataracts, clouding of the eye lens that reduces vision. May cause blindness if not treated
Montreal Protocol was developed under the sponsorship of the UN to eliminate the production and use of CFCs

35. Antarctic Ozone Hole
Figure FS 2.1.1

36. ClO and O3
Figure FS 2.1.2

37. Carbon Dioxide

38. Variable Atmospheric Components
Natural Sources  
Natural Factors That Affect Air Pollution  
Anthropogenic Pollution  
Benefits of the Clean Air Act

39. Natural Factors That Affect Air Pollution
Winds
Local and Regional Landscapes
Temperature Inversion

41. Wildfires
Figure 2.22

42. Temperature Inversion
Figure 2.24

43. Anthropogenic Pollution
Photochemical Smog Pollution
Industrial Smog and Sulfur Oxides
Particulates

44. Air Pollution
Figure 2.25

45. Photochemical Smog
Figure 2.26

46. Benefits of the Clean Air Act
Total direct cost $523 billion
Direct monetized benefits $5.6 to $49.4 trillion – average $22.2 trillion
Net financial benefit $21.7 trillion
206,000 fewer deaths in 1990!

47. Elemental Geosystems 5e
End of Chapter 2
Elemental Geosystems 5e
Robert W. Christopherson
Charles E. Thomsen