1. Heating of the Atmosphere Chapter 15 Section 2 Mrs. Mannel Earth Science

2. Energy in the Atmosphere The Earth receives energy from the sun by radiation Radiation is the transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves The Earth only receives two-billionths of this energy When energy is absorbed by a surface, it heats that surface

4. Conduction Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy from one material to another by direct contact Thermal energy is transferred to a sidewalk, then to your foot Thermal energy always moves from warm to cold areas

5. Convection Convection is the transfer of thermal energy by the circulation or movement of a liquid or gas Cool air is more dense and sinks, as the cool air sinks, it pushes the warm air up. The cool air is eventually heated by the ground and rises creating a convection current

7. The Greenhouse Effect The gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap thermal energy and act like a layer of glass The gases allow solar energy to pass through which warms the Earth Too many of these gases are being trapped which is causing the global temperatures to rise

8. Global Warming Not all gases cause warming, only the greenhouse gases Carbon Dioxide and Methane gas are increasing global temps caused by the burning of fossil fuels http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVXxznHgH8c

9. The Radiation Balance For the Earth to remain livable, the amount of energy received from the sun and the amount of energy returned to space must be equal Some scientists argue that Earth had warmer temps abd that this is a natural process Nevertheless, countries are uniting to stop global warming