Heating the Earth

 

Heat transfer in the atmosphere

        "The sun's energy that is absorbed by the Earth is

          spread throughout the atmosphere in 3 basic ways:

          conduction, convection, and radiation."

 

Conduction

        *  The direct transfer of heat energy from one

            substance to another

        *  As air above the surface comes in contact with the

            warm ground, the air is warmed

                -  temperatures close to ground are usually

                    warmest

        *  soil, water, and air are poor conductors of heat

                -  conduction only plays a minor role in warming

                    the land, ocean, and atmosphere

Convection

        *  The transfer of heat energy in a fluid- gas or liquid

                -  Air is a fluid

        *  Gas/liquid expands when heated

            Density then decreases

             Less dense material rises causing currents that

                transfer heat ; cold air sinks

Radiation

        *  Transfer of energy, such as heat, that does not

             require the presence of matter

                - energy transferred by wave motion

                -  can travel through space

        *  Make up electromagnetic spectrum

                -  infrared radiation IR

                        released by warm/hot objects

                -  satellites use this to take heat pictures of the

                   Earth