Chapter 2 Section 1

 The sun provides nearly all of the energy which powers the atmosphere.  That energy comes to us in the form of electromagnetic radiation.

 About 50% of energy is absorbed by the surface. The absorbed energy is then reradiated back into the atmosphere.  This energy is then absorbed by greenhouse gases and reradiated again, thus maintaining the Earth’s warmth.

 Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere keeping it warm.  If there’s too much of such gas in the atmosphere the temperature will rise.

 Energy flows from a warm object to a cool object. Heat

 The transfer of heat as light energy. Radiation can travel through empty space, from the Sun to the Earth. Radiation

Radiation

 The transfer of heat from one object to another by physical contact. Conduction

Conduction

 The transfer of heat by the movement of large numbers of particles within a liquid or gas. Convection

Convection