Energy in Earth's Atmosphere Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are electromagnetic waves?

A type of sound wave

A form of energy that can move through the vacuum of space (correct)

A mechanical wave

A method of energy storage

What is radiation?

The direct transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves (correct)

A type of sound

The movement of particles

The process of energy storage

What kind of energy do we receive from the sun?

Most of the energy from the sun travels to Earth in the form of visible light and infrared radiation. A small amount arrives as ultraviolet radiation.

What causes the different colors of visible light?

Different wavelengths. Signup and view all the answers

What is infrared radiation?

Wavelengths that are longer than those of red light and are felt as heat. Signup and view all the answers

What is ultraviolet radiation?

Wavelengths that are shorter than those of violet light. Signup and view all the answers

What can ultraviolet radiation cause?

Ultraviolet radiation can cause sunburns, skin cancer, and eye damage. Signup and view all the answers

What does energy from the sun travel to Earth as?

Infrared Radiation, Ultraviolet Radiation, and Visible Light. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the energy from the sun that is neither reflected nor absorbed by the atmosphere?

It passes through the atmosphere to the surface. Signup and view all the answers

What absorbs energy from the sun in the atmosphere?

The atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

What reflects energy from the sun in the atmosphere?

The clouds. Signup and view all the answers

What is scattering?

Reflection of light in all directions. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the daytime sky look blue?

Gas molecules scatter short wavelengths of visible light (blue and violet) more than long wavelengths (red and orange). Signup and view all the answers

What is half of the sun's energy absorbed by?

It is absorbed by land and water and changed into heat. Signup and view all the answers

What is the greenhouse effect?

The process by which gases hold heat in the air. Signup and view all the answers

What absorbs most of the energy that is radiated from Earth's surface?

Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases. Signup and view all the answers

What is temperature?

The average amount of energy of motion of each particle of a substance. Signup and view all the answers

What is thermal energy?

The total energy of motion in the particles of a substance. Signup and view all the answers

What is air temperature measured with?

A thermometer. Signup and view all the answers

How does a thermometer work?

Liquids expand when they are heated and contract when they are cooled. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Celsius freezing point?

0 degrees. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Celsius boiling point?

100 degrees. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Fahrenheit freezing point?

32 degrees. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Fahrenheit boiling point?

212 degrees. Signup and view all the answers

How is heat transferred?

Heat is transferred in three ways: radiation, conduction, and convection. Signup and view all the answers

What is heat?

The transfer of thermal energy from a hotter object to a cooler one. Signup and view all the answers

What is conduction?

The direct transfer of heat from one substance to another that it is touching. Signup and view all the answers

What is convection?

The transfer of heat by the movement of a fluid. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Electromagnetic Waves

Energy form capable of traveling through a vacuum, such as space.

Radiation

Direct energy transfer through electromagnetic waves.

Solar Energy

Sun emits energy primarily as visible light and infrared radiation, with a smaller amount as ultraviolet radiation.

Visible Light

Composed of a spectrum of colors, commonly perceived as a rainbow.

Color Variations in Light

Different colors in visible light arise from variations in wavelengths.

Infrared Radiation

Has longer wavelengths than red light; not visible but can be experienced as heat.

Ultraviolet Radiation

Contains shorter wavelengths than violet light, potentially harmful to living organisms.

Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation

Can cause skin issues like sunburn, skin cancer, and eye damage.

Energy Pathways

Solar energy travels to Earth as infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and visible light.

Energy Interaction with Atmosphere

Energy that isn’t reflected or absorbed by the atmosphere can pass through to Earth’s surface.

Atmospheric Energy Absorption

The atmosphere absorbs solar energy.

Energy Reflection

Clouds are responsible for reflecting solar energy.

Scattering

Light can be reflected in various directions, creating the phenomenon of scattering.

Sky Coloration

The blue sky results from gas molecules scattering shorter wavelengths (blue and violet) more than longer wavelengths (red and orange).

Energy Absorption of Earth's Surface

Half of the sun's energy is absorbed by land and water, converted into heat.

Greenhouse Effect

Natural process where certain gases retain heat in the atmosphere, regulating Earth's temperature for sustainability.

Energy Absorption by Gases

Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases capture most of the energy radiated from Earth's surface.

Temperature

Defined as the average kinetic energy of motion of particles within a substance.

Thermal Energy

Represents the total kinetic energy of all particles in a material.

Measuring Air Temperature

Conducted using a thermometer.

Thermometer Functionality

A glass tube with a liquid that expands when heated and contracts when cooled.

Celsius Scale

Freezing point: 0 degrees
Boiling point: 100 degrees

Fahrenheit Scale

Freezing point: 32 degrees
Boiling point: 212 degrees

Heat Transfer Methods

Heat transfer occurs via radiation, conduction, and convection.

Definition of Heat

Thermal energy moves from hotter to cooler objects during heat transfer.

Conduction

Involves direct heat transfer between substances in contact.

Convection

Heat is transferred through the movement of fluids, facilitating energy distribution.

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Description

Explore key concepts related to energy in Earth's atmosphere with these flashcards. This quiz covers electromagnetic waves, radiation, and the energy we receive from the sun. Perfect for environmental science students looking to reinforce their understanding of atmospheric energy dynamics.