1. Heating of the Atmosphere
Chapter 15 Section 2
Heating of the Atmosphere

2. Energy in the Atmosphere
Radiation is the transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves
50% of the sun’s radiation is absorbed by the Earth’s surface.
5% of the sun’s radiation is reflected by the Earth’s surface
20% of the sun’s radiation is absorbed by ozone, clouds and atmospheric gas
25% of the sun’s radiation is scattered and reflected by clouds and air

3. Energy in the Atmosphere
Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy from one material to another by direct contact
Near the Earth’s surface, air is heated by conduction
Convection is the transfer of thermal energy by the circulation of movement of a liquid or gas
Convection currents are caused by the unequal heating of the atmosphere

4. The Green House Effect
The greenhouse effect is the process in which the gases in the atmosphere trap thermal energy
Global warming is a rise in the average global temperature
The balance between incoming energy and outgoing energy is known as the radiation balance