8 Questions
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is the state of the atmosphere that changes frequently, while climate is the average condition of a place over time.
What is atmospheric temperature?
Atmospheric temperature is the measure of heat in the atmosphere, indicating how hot or cold a place is.
What is insolation?
The energy derived from the Sun for all atmospheric processes
What is a heat budget?
A perfect balance between incoming heat absorbed by the earth and outgoing heat escaping it in the form of radiation.
Which factor affects the distribution of temperature based on distance from the Equator?
Latitude
Convection is the passing of heat by _____ currents.
air
Match the following radiation percentages with their corresponding destinations:
40% = Reflected back to space by the atmosphere 15% = Absorbed by the upper layer of the atmosphere 45% = Reach the earth's surface
As latitude increases, does the temperature decrease?
True
Study Notes
Weather and Climate
- Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere, which can change frequently and vary depending on location.
- Climate is the average weather condition of a place over a minimum period of 35 years.
Elements of Weather and Climate
- Atmospheric Temperature: measures the heat of the atmosphere, varying from place to place.
- Atmospheric Pressure: the force exerted by a column of air at any point on the Earth's surface.
- Winds: the horizontal movement of air from areas of high atmospheric pressure to low atmospheric pressure.
- Rain: the falling of moisture in the form of water on the Earth's surface.
Temperature
- Solar Radiation: the amount of heat given out by the Sun in the form of rays, controlling weather and climate.
- Insolation: the incoming solar radiation received on the Earth's surface, deciding the climate.
- Terrestrial Radiation: the heat energy re-radiated by the Earth to heat up the atmosphere, after absorbing insolation.
Heat Budget and Global Heat Balance
- Heat budget is a balance between incoming heat (insolation) and outgoing heat (terrestrial radiation) to maintain Earth's temperature.
- If the incoming and outgoing heat are not balanced, Earth's temperature would fluctuate.
Heat Distribution
- 40% of the sun's rays are reflected back to space by the atmosphere.
- 15% of the sun's rays are absorbed by the upper layer of the atmosphere.
- 45% of the sun's rays reach the Earth's surface.
Terrestrial Heat Radiation
- Terrestrial heat radiation is the heat waves sent out by the Earth's surface.
Heat Transfer Mechanisms
- Conduction is the passing of heat by contact.
- Convection is the passing of heat by air currents.
Factors Affecting Temperature Distribution
Latitude
- Latitude is the distance in degrees from the Equator.
- The angle of the Sun's rays varies with latitude, affecting the temperature.
- Near the Equator:
- Vertical rays heat the surface more intensely due to concentrated energy and shorter distance through the atmosphere.
- Example: Mumbai is warmer than New York due to its closer proximity to the Equator.
- Near the Poles:
- Slant rays have to travel a greater distance through the atmosphere, covering a larger area, resulting in less intense heat.
- The connection between latitude and temperature: As latitude increases, temperature decreases.
Learn about the differences between weather and climate, and explore the elements that make up these two concepts. Understand atmospheric temperature, humidity, and other factors that affect weather and climate.
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