Earth & Space Science Chapter 11: Heating the Atmosphere

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Questions and Answers

What is the composition of ozone molecules?

O3 (correct)

Where is ozone concentrated in the atmosphere?

Thermosphere

Troposphere

Mesosphere

Stratosphere (correct)

What is the primary function of ozone in the atmosphere?

To absorb UV radiation (correct)

To generate winds and ocean currents

To regulate Earth's temperature

To create atmospheric pressure

At what altitude is 90% of the atmosphere traversed?

10 miles Signup and view all the answers

What is the average temperature decrease in the troposphere per kilometer?

6.5°C Signup and view all the answers

What is the outer boundary of the troposphere called?

Tropopause Signup and view all the answers

In which layer of the atmosphere do temperatures decrease with increasing altitude?

Mesosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of energy that drives weather and climate?

Solar energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the uneven heating of the Earth's surface?

Generation of winds and ocean currents Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate temperature at the outer edge of the mesosphere?

-90°C Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between weather and climate?

Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere at a given place and time, while climate is the average weather of a location. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of considering the weather before undertaking an endeavor?

To plan accordingly and make informed decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of human activities on the global climate?

It has a significant influence on the climate through air pollution and ozone layer depletion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why people should consider the climate of an area?

To make informed decisions about agriculture, energy use, and water use. Signup and view all the answers

What is the sum of all statistical weather information that helps to describe an area or region?

Climate. Signup and view all the answers

How do people typically obtain information about the weather?

By relying on weather forecasts. Signup and view all the answers

What are the elements used to describe both weather and climate?

Air temperature, humidity, cloudiness, precipitation, and air pressure. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to consider the climate of an area?

To make informed decisions about agriculture, energy use, and water use. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the air's volume is made up of nitrogen and oxygen?

99% Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why carbon dioxide is important in affecting the weather?

It is an efficient absorber of energy emitted by the Earth Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of all clouds and precipitation?

Water vapor Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of aerosols in weather and climate?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of carbon dioxide in the air?

0.039% Signup and view all the answers

What is the main contributor to the increase in carbon dioxide concentrations over the past 200 years?

The burning of fossil fuels Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of water vapor in heating the atmosphere?

It releases energy when it changes states Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the amount of water vapor in the air?

Humidity Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the increase in carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere?

The Earth's atmosphere has warmed Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of the increased CO2 that is absorbed by the oceans?

60% Signup and view all the answers

What is the imaginary line that runs through the poles of the Earth?

Axis of rotation Signup and view all the answers

What is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun?

93 million miles Signup and view all the answers

At what wavelength does the Sun emit maximum energy?

0.5 µm Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor that generates seasonal temperature changes?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of incoming solar radiation that is absorbed by the Earth's surface?

50% Signup and view all the answers

What is the angle of the Earth's axis of inclination?

23 ½° Signup and view all the answers

What happens to energy that is absorbed by an object?

It is converted into heat and increases the object's temperature Signup and view all the answers

What is the day of the year when the Sun's vertical rays strike the equator?

September 22 or 23 Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the path that solar energy travels through the atmosphere?

Atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the energy emitted by the Earth?

Long-wave radiation Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the Earth's axis being tilted at an angle of 23 ½°?

The seasons occur Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of light bouncing back from an object at the same intensity and angle?

Reflection Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the line that separates the dark half of the Earth from the lighted half?

Circle of illumination Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the fraction of total radiation that is reflected by a surface?

Albedo Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way the atmosphere is heated?

Energy first absorbed by Earth's surface and then reradiated Signup and view all the answers

What is the speed at which the Earth travels in its orbit around the Sun?

70,000 miles per hour Signup and view all the answers

Are heat and temperature synonymous?

No Signup and view all the answers

Which gas is a poor absorber of all types of radiation?

Nitrogen Signup and view all the answers

What is the Greenhouse effect?

A natural phenomenon where the atmosphere is heated Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of incoming solar radiation is reflected back to space?

30% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of energy for Earth's weather?

The Sun Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of heat being removed from an object?

The object's atoms/molecules move slower Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between heat and temperature?

Heat is the energy possessed by an object, while temperature is the intensity of that energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of heat transfer that occurs through molecular movement?

Conduction Signup and view all the answers

What is the wavelength of visible light?

Between 0.4 micrometers and 0.7 micrometers Signup and view all the answers

What happens when any form of radiation is absorbed by an object?

The object's molecular activity increases Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason why heat moves from an object with a higher temperature to an object with a lower temperature?

Because the higher temperature object has more energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the speed of electromagnetic radiation in a vacuum?

186,000 miles per second Signup and view all the answers

What is the type of radiation that causes sunburn?

Ultraviolet radiation Signup and view all the answers

What is the temperature of the Sun's surface?

10,000° F Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of temperature variations from place to place and from time to time?

Differences in the amount of solar radiation received Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated percentage of excess CO2 that remains in the atmosphere?

45% Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the amount of temperature change per unit of distance?

Temperature gradient Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the burning of fossil fuels on the atmosphere?

Addition of large amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely temperature increase if CO2 concentrations double from pre-industrial levels to 560 ppm?

Between 2° and 4.5° C Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of isotherm maps?

To visualize temperature distribution over a large area Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the lines that connect points on a map that have the same temperature?

Isotherms Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of deforestation on the atmosphere?

Addition of CO2 to the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the average temperature of the global ocean up to a depth of?

3,000 meters Signup and view all the answers

What is the conclusion of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) regarding the observed increase in average global temperatures since the 1950s?

The increase is due to human-generated greenhouse gas Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the differential heating of land and water?

Water has a higher specific heat than land Signup and view all the answers

How does the temperature change with an increase in altitude?

It decreases by 6.5°C per km Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of cloud cover on temperature during the day?

It decreases the temperature Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the high albedo of snow- and ice-covered landscapes?

They reflect more radiation Signup and view all the answers

What is the trend observed in the world distribution of temperature?

Temperature decreases poleward from the tropics Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of ocean currents on the world distribution of temperature?

They are visible in the isotherm maps Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of isotherms in the Northern Hemisphere?

They bend and are more varied Signup and view all the answers

Where are the warmest and coldest temperatures typically found?

Over the land Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of annual temperature ranges near the equator?

They are small and consistent Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of geographic position on temperature?

It causes vastly different temperatures between windward and leeward coasts Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Weather and Climate

Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere at a given place and time
Climate is the aggregate or average weather of a location, including variations and extremes

Composition of the Atmosphere

The atmosphere is a mixture of many gases, each with its own physical properties
Dry, clean air is composed of:
- Nitrogen (78%)
- Oxygen (21%)
- Argon (0.93%)
- Carbon dioxide (0.0391%)
- Other gases (0.01%)
Carbon dioxide is an efficient absorber of energy and plays a significant role in heating the atmosphere

Importance of Carbon Dioxide

CO2 concentrations have been rising over the past 200 years
Increased CO2 concentrations have contributed to the warming of the Earth's atmosphere, which may affect climate

Water Vapor and Aerosols

Water vapor is a significant component of the atmosphere, varying from 0% to 4% by volume
Water vapor is the source of all clouds and precipitation
Aerosols are tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the air, playing a significant role in weather and climate
Examples of aerosols: sea salt, soil, smoke, pollen, and volcanic ash

Ozone

Ozone is a form of oxygen that combines three oxygen atoms into each molecule (O3)
Ozone is concentrated in the stratosphere, where it absorbs large quantities of UV radiation from the Sun
Ozone is crucial to life on Earth, and reducing its amount can adversely impact life

Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere

Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude
Temperature is used to divide the atmosphere into four layers:
- Troposphere
- Stratosphere
- Mesosphere
- Thermosphere
Each layer has distinct characteristics, such as temperature and pressure changes

Earth-Sun Relationships

The Earth's axis is tilted at 23 ½°, generating seasonal changes
The length of daylight and Sun angle affect the amount of energy received by the Earth's surface
The Earth's distance from the Sun varies throughout the year, with perihelion (91.5 million miles) and aphelion (94.5 million miles)

Energy, Heat, and Temperature

Heat and temperature are not synonymous
Heat is energy possessed by a material, while temperature refers to the intensity or degree of "hotness"
Heat is transferred by three mechanisms:
- Conduction
- Convection
- Radiation

Radiation

Radiation is the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves
The sun is the ultimate source of energy for the Earth's weather
Electromagnetic radiation includes:
- Radio waves
- Visible light
- Infrared radiation
- Ultraviolet radiation
- Gamma rays

Heating the Atmosphere

Solar radiation is absorbed, transmitted, and reflected by the Earth's surface and atmosphere
The atmosphere is heated by energy that is first absorbed by the Earth's surface and then reradiated to the atmosphere (terrestrial radiation)
The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon, where gases in the atmosphere absorb and reradiate energy, trapping heat and warming the planet.### Human Impact on Global Climate
The combustion of fossil fuels has added large amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
Deforestation and subsequent burning and decay of organic material generate CO2, and remove plant material that would otherwise utilize CO2 during photosynthesis.
It is estimated that 45% of excess CO2 remains in the atmosphere, and current CO2 levels are 30% higher than they have been in the past 650,000 years.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), most of the observed increase in average global temperatures since the 1950s are the result of human-generated greenhouse gas.
Global temperatures have increased by approximately 0.6°C (1.0°F) since the 1970s, and 0.8°C (1.4°F) during the 20th century.
The greatest amount of warming has occurred in Arctic and high-latitude regions.
Instrument records indicate that the warmest 16 years occurred from 1995 to 2011, and global mean temperatures are higher than at any time in the last 500 to 1,000 years.
The average temperature of the global ocean has increased to a depth of 3,000 meters (10,000 feet).

Climate Change Consequences

If CO2 concentrations double from pre-industrial levels to 560 ppm, the likely temperature increase will be between 2°C and 4.5°C (3.5°F to 8.1°F).
Sea level may rise, the paths of large-scale storms may change, and changes in the distribution of wet and dry regions may develop.
Tropical systems may become more intense, and droughts and heat waves may increase in number and frequency.

Air Temperature Data

Temperature is recorded at weather stations on a continuous basis, including high and low temperatures, daily mean temperature, daily range, monthly mean, and annual mean.
Isotherm maps are used to visualize temperature distribution over a large area, with lines representing 5° or 10° temperature differences.
The temperature gradient is the amount of temperature change per unit of distance.

Controls of Temperature

Differences in the amount of solar radiation received are the most important cause of temperature variations.
Variations in sun angle and length of daylight depend on latitude, resulting in warmer temperatures near the tropics and colder temperatures near the poles.
Seasonal changes occur due to the migration of the sun's vertical rays.
Other factors contributing to temperature variations include:
- Differential heating of land and water
- Altitude
- Geographic position
- Cloud cover and albedo
- Ocean currents

Differential Heating of Land and Water

Land heats more rapidly and to higher temperatures than water, and cools more rapidly and to lower temperatures than water.
Reasons for differential heating include:
- Water has a higher specific heat than land
- Land surfaces are opaque, while water is transparent
- Surface water mixes with water below, distributing heat through a larger mass
- Evaporation from water is greater than from land surfaces

Altitude and Geographic Position

Altitude can play a significant role in determining a location's temperature, with temperatures dropping 6.5°C per km in the troposphere.
Coastal locations with prevailing winds from the ocean experience different temperatures than those with prevailing winds from the land.
Windward coasts experience the moderating effects of the ocean.

Cloud Cover and Albedo

Cloud cover can cause temperatures to be lower during the day due to increased reflection, and higher at night due to absorption of terrestrial radiation.
Snow- and ice-covered landscapes have high albedos, which is why glaciers don't completely melt in the summer and why snow may still be present on mild spring days.

World Distribution of Temperature

World isotherm maps show temperature variations, with the greatest temperature extremes occurring in January and July.
Trends observed from these maps include:
- Temperature decreases poleward from the tropics
- Isotherms exhibit a latitudinal shift with the seasons
- Warmest and coldest temperatures occur over land
- Isotherms show ocean currents
- In the Southern Hemisphere (water hemisphere), isotherms are straighter and more stable, while in the Northern Hemisphere (land hemisphere), isotherms bend and are more varied due to seasonal changes.
- Annual temperature ranges are small near the equator, increase with an increase in latitude, and are the greatest over the continents.

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