1. How does energy transfer through our atmosphere?
Heat Transfer
How does energy transfer through our atmosphere?

2. Solar Energy The sun is the source of all energy in Earth’s atmosphere
The energy is transferred in three ways:
Radiation
Conduction
Convection

3. Radiation
Radiation is the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves
Anything with a temp above 0K radiates energy
The earth absorbs 50% of the sun’s radiation
Radiation does not directly heat the atmosphere

4. Conduction
Conduction occurs between two objects that are in contact with each other
Example – pot on stove
The lowest layers of the atmosphere are heated by conduction

5. Convection Convection is the flow of energy through a heated substance
The heated substance rises as it loses density
The substance cools at the top of a cycle, compresses to increase density, and sinks
The cycle repeats as long as there is heat transfer to the substance

7. Temperature vs. Heat
Temperature is the measure of how quickly molecules move
Heat is the transfer of energy between two substances in contact
Heat flows from higher temperature to lower temperature

9. Dew Point
The temperature air must be cooled at constant pressure to reach saturation is the Dew Point
Saturated air cannot hold any more water vapor
When air reaches its dew point, Condensation occurs, causing rain or other precipitation