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

21. Midnight Sun Figure 2.14

22. Seasonal Observations Figure 2.15

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

24. Profile of Atmosphere Figure 2.17

25. Atmospheric Pressure Figure 2.18

26. 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

27. Figure 2.19 Composition of the Homosphere

28. Atmospheric Temperature Criterion Thermosphere 80 km (50 mi) outwards Mesosphere 50 to 80 km (30 to 50 mi) Stratosphere 18 to 50 km (11 to 31 mi) Troposphere Surface to 18 km (11 mi)

29. Temperature Profile Figure 2.20

30. Atmospheric Function Ionosphere Absorbs cosmic rays, gamma rays, X-rays, some UV rays Ozonosphere Part of stratosphere Ozone (O 3 ) absorbs UV energy and converts it to heat energy

31. Protective Atmosphere Figure 2.21

32. Antarctic Ozone Hole Figure FS 2.1.1

33. ClO and O 3 Figure FS 2.1.2

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

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

37. Wildfires Figure 2.22

38. Temperature Inversion Figure 2.24

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

40. Air Pollution Figure 2.25

41. Photochemical Smog Figure 2.26

42. 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!

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