1. Chapter 23 The Atmosphere
Section 2
Solar Energy
Notes 23-5

2. Absorption and Infrared
Warmth from the sun is infrared rays
Objects on the surface heat up when the absorb infrared energy and visible light
The rays given off by objects are longer than the ones given off by the sun
The shorter wavelength infrared waves will go through the atmosphere
The longer wavelength infrared waves will be absorbed by CO2 and H2O in the atmosphere

3. Greenhouse Effect
The absorption of long wavelength infrared by the atmosphere traps heat near the surface
The long waves are trapped and prevented from escaping
This heats up the lower atmosphere

4. Greenhouse Effect
Carbon dioxide has been added to the atmosphere by burning of fossil fuels
It absorbs infrared radiation
Because the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased and will continue to increase, global warming will continue and possibly become worse

6. Variations in Temp. Sun doesn’t heat the earth equally in all places
Temperatures are higher at the equator than at the poles
Equator has direct rays from the sun to heat the surface
At the Poles, the rays are slanted
They spread their energy over a larger distance

7. Variations in Temp.
Elevation warm during the day and cool down at night
They don’t have water vapor and CO2 to trap the heat in at those high elevations
Deserts are the same
They don’t have enough water vapor to hold the temperature up at night

8. Variations in Temp.
Water temperatures change less than land temperatures
Areas near bodies of water have more moderate temperatures
Cooler during the day and warmer at night
Winds can cool when from the water and warm when from the land

10. Variations in Temp. Delay in heating
Sun is highest in the sky on June 21
not warmest until July
Sun is highest in the sky at 12:00 noon
Not warmest until around 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon

11. Conduction vs Convection
Warm molecules move faster and transfer the heat by movement to other molecules
Solids make good conductors
Air is a poor conductor
Convection:
Warm air rises
Makes a low pressure
Cool air sinks
Makes a high pressure
Air moves from high to low pressure and creates winds