Radiant Energy and Our Atmosphere SPI 0607.8.2 Recognize the connection between the sun’s energy and wind.

TNReady Question Which could be caused by convection in the atmosphere? A land absorbing solar energy B rising of ocean tides C formation of a hurricane D clouds reflecting sunlight Write answer in the top right corner of your paper. We will come back to it at the end.

Energy from the Sun Where does all that energy go?

Check for Understanding What happens to most of the Sun’s energy that reaches the Earth?

Answer 51% of that energy is absorbed by the Earth

Different Amounts= Different Biomes Different parts of the Earth receive different amounts of solar radiation. This is why the Earth has different biomes… Which part of the planet receives the most solar radiation?

Where? The Sun's rays strike the surface most directly at the Equator. Where there is more radiant energy, the surface of the Earth is warmer.

This also makes air circulate… The difference in solar energy received at different latitudes drives atmospheric circulation.

The Sun’s energy heats the Earth’s surface. How? You might ask… The Sun’s energy heats the Earth’s surface. The warmer surface heats the air above it. Warm air rises and cooler air sinks.

Check for Understanding What causes air circulation?

The difference in solar energy received at different latitudes Answer The difference in solar energy received at different latitudes Or simply- the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface

What is Wind? https://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=RzSqhrn2d DM

This is called Convection Warm air molecules are further apart, so warm air is less dense and rises. Cold air molecules are closer together, so cold air is more dense and sinks. This is called Convection

Check for Understanding Why does warm air rise? Why does cold air sink?

Warm air is less dense because the molecules are further apart. Cold air is more dense due to the molecules being closer together. Answers

What Makes Wind? Convection-Density-Air Pressure All three play a part and are related to each other.

Bill Nye Explains Wind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBq ohRu2RRk

Further explanation The Sun’s energy heats the land-which also heats the air above the land. This warm air rises. As the air rises, it cools off. Causing it to sink back to the Earth to be reheated. This cycle creates convection currents- which is air movement or wind!!

Check for Understanding What is the process pictured to the right called? What does this process produce?

Answers The process pictured is a type of heat transfer called convection. This process produces convection currents or air movement-wind.

More Detailed Explanation

Convection occurs in several mediums Liquids- like bath water, the Earth’s mantle, and oceans Gases- like the air in our homes and our atmosphere Convection occurs in several mediums

Convection Currents in Water Demonstration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mUU69ParFM

Convection Demonstration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8mCn8f3za0

TNReady Question Which could be caused by convection in the atmosphere? A land absorbing solar energy B rising of ocean tides C formation of a hurricane D clouds reflecting sunlight

Answer C formation of a hurricane

Ticket Out the Door

Ticket Out the Door 1. What is convection? Explain the process. 2. Which is more dense- cold or warm air? 3. Will warm air rise or sink? 4. What do convection currents in our atmosphere create?