1. Chapter 2 Solar Energy, Seasons, and the Atmosphere

2. Supplemental notes are drawn from Lutgens and Tarbuck, The Atmosphere

3. Seen from space, the Earth looks like no other
planet that we know
“Big Blue Marble”

4. --- nothing as much as weather
From pre-history Man has been directly and indirectly affected by environment
--- nothing as much as weather
--- Sun God; Rain God; omens; reward/punishment; etc
--- SAD

5. Weather: the state of the Earth’s atmosphere with respect to heat or cold; wetness or dryness; clearness or cloudiness (Webster)
--- atmospheric extent is conceptual
--- manifest in wind; temperature; storms; precipitation; etc

6. [I do not like terming climate as “average weather”]
Climate: weather of a location over an extended period of time, including its extremes
[I do not like terming climate as “average weather”]

7. Atmospheric Composition
variant vs non-variant gases
nitrogen
oxygen
water vapor
trace elements (CO2; O3)
dust
industrial exhaust (NOx; SOx)
insolation vs terrestrial radiation

8. Composition of the Homosphere
Figure 2.19

9. Ozone (O3) Stratospheric Tropospheric --- VOCs and NOx --- Corrosive
--- Biological irritant (a secondary pollutant)
--- compliance measured as
hourly average (0.085ppm)

10. Ozone (O3), cont Factors affecting O3 [and pollutants in general]
--- human/economic
… industrial mix
… transportation
--- physical
… wind
… atmospheric stability and inversions
… topography
… severe air pollution potential

11. Photochemical Smog
Figure 2.26

13. Origin of Atmosphere
- First atmosphere of light gases disappear to space
- “degassing” and “dissolving”
- plants absorb CO2, release O2

14. Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere
Atmosphere structure is based on:
(1) pressure
(2) temperature
(3) vertical variation in composition
--- Homosphere
--- Heterosphere

15. Atmospheric Pressure
Figure 2.18

16. Temperature Profile
Figure 2.20

17. Temperature Inversion
Figure 2.24

18. Profile of Atmosphere
Figure 2.17

19. 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

20. 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)

21. Heating of the Atmosphere
Radiation
Conduction
Convection / Advection
Latent Heat of Condensation

22. Average Breakdown of Insolation
Absorbed by atmosphere –
19%-22%
Reflected into space –
34%
Absorbed Earth surface –
43%-47%

23. Heat Energy Budget
Insolation to the Ground
47% of incoming solar radiation reaches the surface of the Earth
… ultimately returned to the atmosphere
terrestrial radiation – 14%
conduction/convection – 10%
latent heat – 23%

24. Protective Atmosphere
Figure 2.21

25. The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Figure 2.6

26. Solar and Terrestrial Energy
Figure 2.7

27. Earth’s Energy Budget
Figure 2.8

28. Controls on Weather and Climate
Latitude
Land-Water
Ocean Currents
Altitude
Physical Barriers
Human Activities
Pressure systems and storms

29. Short Term Variations in Temperature
Daily affects of insolation
Cloud cover
Differential heating (land/water)
Reflection
Horizontal Air Movement

30. Variation in the Heat Energy Balance
Regions of Energy Surplus
--- tropical zones
--- seasonal
Regions of Energy Deficit
--- polar zones

31. Figure 2.9

32. Daily Net Radiation
Figure 2.10