Energy in the Atmosphere Energy From the Sun

• Travels in electromagnetic waves. • Reaches Earth in the form of: ○ visible light - ROYGBIV spectrum ○ infrared radiation - not visible; felt as heat ○ ultraviolet (UV) radiation - cause sunburns, skin cancer & eye damage The Sun’s Light We See

● Scattered by gas in the atmosphere ○ Scattering: Reflection of light in all directions ● Short waves (violet) scatter easier than long waves (red) ○ Daytime sky is blue because atmosphere scatters (reflects) blue light ○ Sunrise/Sunset: Light travels through thicker atmosphere, which removes blue light; remaining light is orange & red How Heat is Transferred

• Radiation: transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves. • Conduction: transfer of thermal energy through contact. • Convection: transfer of thermal energy by the circulation of a liquid or gas. The Greenhouse Effect

• Gases in the atmosphere absorb thermal energy and radiate it back to Earth. Global Warming

• More greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may be the cause of global warming. Why Air Moves

• Air Moves Due To Uneven Heating by the Sun: ○ Hot air at Equator rises, then sinks at the poles. ○ Cold polar air then flows toward the equator. Why Air Moves

• Pressure Belts Are Found Every 30º ○ 30º N - Tropic of Cancer ○ 30º S - Tropic of Capricorn ○ 60º N - Arctic Circle ○ 60º S - Antarctic Circle The Coriolis Effect

• The Coriolis Effect: The apparent curving of the path of wind currents due to the Earth’s rotation.

1835 – Gaspard Gustave Coriolis observed and calculated veering effect mathematically Global Winds Types of Global Winds • Polar Easterlies - wind from the poles to 60° latitude in both hemispheres.

• Westerlies - wind belts between 30° and 60° latitude in both hemispheres.

• Trade Winds - winds from 30° latitude almost to the equator in both hemispheres. Global Winds

• The Doldrums - where trade winds meet around the equator.

• The Horse Latitudes - at 30° north and 30° south latitude, sinking air creates an area of high pressure (fair weather)

• Jet Streams - narrow belts of high-speed winds in the upper troposphere & lower stratosphere. Global Winds – Draw Me! Local Winds

• Move short distances • Blow from any direction. • Examples: ○ Mountain and valley breezes - caused by an area’s geography. ○ Sea and land breezes - caused by temperature differences between land/water. Sea Breeze & Land Breeze - Draw Me! Sea Breeze Land Breeze

• Land heats faster than • Land cools faster than ocean water ocean water • Warm air over land rises • Warm air over ocean • Cold air from ocean rises rushes in to take its place • Cold air from land rushes in to take its place