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Questions and Answers
What divides the Earth into zones that receive a solar energy surplus and those that experience deficits?
What divides the Earth into zones that receive a solar energy surplus and those that experience deficits?
What is the measure of the average kinetic energy of molecules in a substance?
What is the measure of the average kinetic energy of molecules in a substance?
What is the reason for daily temperature lag?
What is the reason for daily temperature lag?
What is the effect of cloud cover on air temperature?
What is the effect of cloud cover on air temperature?
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Why do coastal cities have smaller daily temperature variations?
Why do coastal cities have smaller daily temperature variations?
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What is the term for the heat energy transferred from one substance or medium to another due to temperature differences?
What is the term for the heat energy transferred from one substance or medium to another due to temperature differences?
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What is the primary concern of Earth's energy budget?
What is the primary concern of Earth's energy budget?
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What is an energy balance?
What is an energy balance?
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Why do different locations on Earth have unbalanced energy budgets?
Why do different locations on Earth have unbalanced energy budgets?
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What is the consequence of the Earth's energy budget being unbalanced?
What is the consequence of the Earth's energy budget being unbalanced?
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What is dynamic equilibrium in the context of the Earth's energy budget?
What is dynamic equilibrium in the context of the Earth's energy budget?
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What is the term for the amount of solar energy received by the Earth?
What is the term for the amount of solar energy received by the Earth?
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What is the term for a surface's ability to reflect solar energy, expressed as a percentage?
What is the term for a surface's ability to reflect solar energy, expressed as a percentage?
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What is the average rate of temperature decrease with an increase in elevation in the troposphere?
What is the average rate of temperature decrease with an increase in elevation in the troposphere?
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What is the term for a flow of seawater that is warmer than the surrounding ocean water?
What is the term for a flow of seawater that is warmer than the surrounding ocean water?
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What is the direction of ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere?
What is the direction of ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere?
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What is the primary characteristic of a cold current?
What is the primary characteristic of a cold current?
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What is the name of the process by which winds blowing from an ocean to the land bring cooler temperatures in summer and warmer temperatures in winter?
What is the name of the process by which winds blowing from an ocean to the land bring cooler temperatures in summer and warmer temperatures in winter?
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What is the term for a reversal of the normal pattern of vertical distribution of air temperature?
What is the term for a reversal of the normal pattern of vertical distribution of air temperature?
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What is the primary factor that contributes to the formation of urban heat islands?
What is the primary factor that contributes to the formation of urban heat islands?
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What is the time period used to describe an area's average weather?
What is the time period used to describe an area's average weather?
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What is the term for the process by which the atmosphere is heated from Earth's surface?
What is the term for the process by which the atmosphere is heated from Earth's surface?
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What is the conversion of 20°C to Fahrenheit?
What is the conversion of 20°C to Fahrenheit?
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Which of the following cities would you expect to have a milder winter?
Which of the following cities would you expect to have a milder winter?
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Study Notes
Earth's Energy Budget
- Solar energy surplus and deficits: The Earth's tilt on its axis, combined with Earth's revolution around the sun, creates zones with differing amounts of solar radiation. This leads to some regions receiving a surplus of solar energy while others experience a deficit.
- Daily temperature lag: The lag between the time of maximum solar radiation and the time of maximum daily temperature is due to the time it takes for the Earth's surface to heat up and then for that heat to be transferred to the air.
- Cloud cover and air temperature: Clouds reflect solar radiation back into space, decreasing the amount of energy that reaches the Earth's surface and leading to cooler temperatures.
- Coastal cities and temperature variations: Coastal areas tend to have smaller daily temperature variations than inland areas because of the moderating influence of large bodies of water. Water heats up and cools down more slowly than land, leading to more stable temperatures.
- Energy balance: An energy balance occurs when the amount of energy absorbed by the Earth is equal to the amount of energy radiated back into space. This maintains a relatively stable global temperature.
- Unbalanced energy budgets: Different locations on Earth experience imbalanced energy budgets due to the varying distributions of land and water, altitude, cloud cover, and latitude. These imbalances drive the Earth's climate system.
- Consequence of unbalanced energy budget: When Earth's energy budget is unbalanced, it results in climate change and other significant environmental consequences.
- Dynamic equilibrium in Earth's energy budget: The Earth's energy budget operates in dynamic equilibrium, a state where the balance is constantly shifting and adjusting. This equilibrium is essential for maintaining a habitable climate.
Thermal Energy and Temperature
- Average kinetic energy of molecules: Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of molecules in a substance.
- Heat energy transfer: The transfer of heat energy from one substance or medium to another due to temperature differences is called conduction, convection, or radiation.
- Insolation: Insolation refers to the amount of solar energy received by the Earth.
- Albedo: Albedo is a surface's ability to reflect solar energy, expressed as a percentage.
Atmospheric and Oceanic Features
- Lapse rate: The average rate of temperature decrease with an increase in elevation in the troposphere is known as the lapse rate. This rate is approximately 6.5°C per 1000 meters.
- Ocean currents: Ocean currents are flows of seawater that are driven by wind, density differences, and the Earth's rotation.
- Warm currents: Warm currents are flows of seawater that are warmer than the surrounding ocean water, typically originating in the tropics and moving towards the poles.
- Cold currents: Cold currents are flows of seawater that are colder than the surrounding ocean water, typically originating in polar regions and moving towards the equator.
- Sea breeze: The process by which winds blowing from an ocean to the land bring cooler temperatures in summer and warmer temperatures in winter is called the sea breeze.
- Temperature inversion: A temperature inversion is a reversal of the normal pattern of vertical distribution of air temperature, where warmer air is found at higher altitudes than colder air. This is often associated with areas of high pressure.
- Urban heat islands: Urban areas tend to have higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect. This is primarily caused by the concentration of buildings, roads, and other impervious surfaces, which absorb and retain heat more efficiently than vegetation.
Climate and Weather
- Climate: Climate refers to the long-term average weather conditions of a particular location.
- Weather: Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions at a particular time and place, including temperature, precipitation, wind, and humidity.
- Surface heating: The process by which the atmosphere is heated from Earth's surface is called surface heating. As the Earth's surface absorbs solar radiation, it warms and releases heat energy back into the atmosphere.
Temperature Conversions
-
Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion: The conversion of 20°C to Fahrenheit is:
- F = (C * 9/5) + 32
- F = (20 * 9/5) + 32
- F = 68°F
Other
- Milder winters: Cities located near large bodies of water, such as oceans or large lakes, tend to have milder winters than cities located further inland due to the moderating influence of water. Therefore, a coastal city would experience a milder winter compared to an inland city.
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Description
Explore the relationship between solar energy input, storage, and output within the Earth system. Learn how incoming solar energy is absorbed and stored, and how outgoing energy is lost to space. Understand the concept of energy balance and its importance in Earth's energy budget.
