Energy Transfer and Heat Methods

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary energy input driving the earth-atmosphere system?

Incoming solar radiation (correct)

Geothermal energy

Convection currents

Wind energy

Which heat transfer method involves the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves?

Conduction

Convection

Radiation (correct)

Advection

What term describes the reflectivity of a surface, including its effects on urban heat islands?

Albedo (correct)

Luminosity

Irradiance

Thermal capacity

Which of the following is NOT a type of heat transfer mentioned?

Reflection Signup and view all the answers

How does the temperature of a substance relate to the wavelengths it emits?

Hotter substances emit shorter wavelengths Signup and view all the answers

What is considered an effect of clouds and aerosols on atmospheric temperature?

They can contribute to both heating and cooling Signup and view all the answers

In the context of energy transmission to Earth’s surface, what role does absorption play?

It allows solar energy to be converted into heat Signup and view all the answers

What is characterized by daily temperature variations influenced by urban areas?

Urban heat islands Signup and view all the answers

What type of heat transfer involves the movement of energy through air or space?

Radiation Signup and view all the answers

Which type of heat is directly sensed by humans as temperature?

Sensible heat Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism describes the molecule-to-molecule transfer of heat?

Conduction Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of latent heat?

It is the energy gained or lost during a state change. Signup and view all the answers

Sensible heat flux is primarily associated with which of the following?

The transfer between air and surface through turbulent eddies. Signup and view all the answers

What does ground heat flux refer to?

Energy flow into or out of the ground surface by conduction. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT related to sensible heat transfer?

Phase change of a substance Signup and view all the answers

In what way does latent heat affect temperature on the surface?

It absorbs heat during evaporation, removing energy from the surface. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to light during scattering?

Its direction changes without altering its wavelengths. Signup and view all the answers

Which color of light has a longer wavelength?

Red Signup and view all the answers

What does albedo measure?

The percentage of insolation reflected by a surface. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following gases absorbs solar and longwave radiation?

Carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

What is the main effect of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

They absorb and reradiate longwave radiation back to Earth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of light refraction?

Light changes direction as it passes from one medium to another. Signup and view all the answers

How does the albedo of water change with the angle of the Sun?

It varies, being higher at low angles and lower at high angles. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary behavior of reflection in the atmosphere?

It redirects incoming radiation back into space. Signup and view all the answers

What role do greenhouse gases play in the atmosphere?

They trap heat energy and delay its transfer into space. Signup and view all the answers

After sunset, why does it take time for the temperature to drop?

Infrared heat is released from the ground, warming the air. Signup and view all the answers

Which sector was the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in South Africa in 2012?

Energy sector Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of South Africa's energy emissions come from electricity and heat?

60% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sources contributes the most to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions?

Enteric fermentation Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributes to the residual warmth in the ground after sunset?

Solar energy retained by soil. Signup and view all the answers

Which activity contributes to greenhouse gas emissions linked to manure in agriculture?

Manure left on pasture Signup and view all the answers

What primarily causes urban areas to become warmer than rural areas?

The type of surfaces that absorb and hold heat Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant outcome of increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere?

Enhanced greenhouse effect. Signup and view all the answers

Which process describes the energy transfer through vertical movement?

Convection Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT contribute to net radiation at Earth's surface?

Solar panel efficiency Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the reflective quality of a surface, which affects heating and cooling?

Albedo Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes an urban heat island?

It refers to warmer metropolitan areas compared to rural surroundings. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Energy Pathways and Principles

Insolation is the primary energy source for the Earth-atmosphere system
Insolation is not distributed equally across the globe

Methods of Heat Transfer

Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves
Conduction is the molecule-to-molecule transfer of heat
Convection is the transfer of heat through vertical movement
Advection is the horizontal movement of heat

Types of Heat

Sensible heat is the heat we can feel as temperature
Latent heat is hidden heat, which is the energy gained or lost when a substance changes state

Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

Scattering is the interaction of insolation with particles, changing the light's direction without altering its wavelength
Diffusion is incoming energy that reaches Earth’s surface after scattering
Rayleigh scattering rule states that shorter wavelengths scatter more than longer wavelengths
Transmission refers to the passage of shortwave and longwave radiation through the atmosphere or water
Absorption is the assimilation of radiation by molecules and its conversion into another form of energy
Refraction is the change in speed and direction of light as it passes between mediums
Reflection is the portion of arriving radiation that bounces back into space

Albedo

Albedo is the percentage of insolation reflected
Rough surfaces (high albedo) reflect more than smooth surfaces (low albedo)
Light color surfaces (high albedo) reflect more than dark color surfaces (low albedo)
Albedo of water surface varies from low angles (high albedo) to high angles (low albedo)

The Greenhouse Effect and Atmospheric Warming

The Earth emits longwave radiation back to space
Some of this radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases like CO2 and water vapor
This absorbed radiation is then re-radiated back to Earth, warming the atmosphere

Daily Radiation Patterns

The Sun provides constant heat throughout the day, especially during peak hours
After sunset, time is needed to cool down due to the ground absorbing solar radiation and then releasing infrared heat
The temperature lag is due to the ground releasing infrared heat, which warms the air, even after sunset

Urban Heat Island

Urban heat islands are metropolitan areas that are warmer than surrounding rural areas
This is due to building materials being good insulators and holding in heat, making areas around buildings warmer

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Description

This quiz covers the principles of energy pathways and methods of heat transfer such as radiation, conduction, and convection. It also delves into the types of heat including sensible and latent heat, and explores energy transfer in the atmosphere, including concepts like scattering and transmission. Test your understanding of these essential atmospheric science concepts!