1. Earth Science Golodolinski/Black 2009
Meteorology: Part 1
Earth Science
Golodolinski/Black
2009

2. Meteorology Vocabulary
Meterology
The study of the Earth’s atmospheric changes
Weather
Meteorologist
A scientist who studies weather

3. Weather Weather Short term condition of the atmosphere
Can change very quickly, within days, hours, or minutes
Weather is constantly changing, and it refers to the state of the atmosphere at any given time and place. Climate, however, is based on observations of weather that have been collected over many years. Climate helps describe a place or region.

4. Composition of Atmosphere
Major component is air.
Air is a mixture of different gases and particles, each with its own physical properties.
Volume of clean, dry air
Other components include: water vapor, ozone,

5. Meteorology Vocabulary (continued)
Atmosphere
The shell of gases surrounding Earth
Divided into layers based on temperature changes with altitude
The 4 atmosphere layers are:
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Each layer is seperated by a “-pause”
In ESRT: “Selected Properties of Earth’s Atmosphere” p. 14

6. Thermal Structure of Atmosphere

7. ESRT: “Selected Properties of Earth’s Atmosphere” p. 14

8. Part 1: Energy in Earth’s System
Internal Energy
Inside the Earth
Causes
Radioactive decay
Heat left over from the forming of Earth

9. Part 1: Energy in Earth’s System
External Energy
Solar energy from the Sun
Effected by
Position of the sun is in the sky
The amount of solar energy absorbed or reflected by the atmosphere
How long the sun is above the horizon
Insolation
Incoming solar radiation

10. ESRT: “Selected Properties of Earth’s Atmosphere” p. 14
ESRT: “Selected Properties of Earth’s Atmosphere” p. 14 **Questions #1-4 p. 167**

11. ESRT: “Selected Properties of Earth’s Atmosphere” p. 14 **Answers #1-4 p. 167**
*Questions #1-16 p

12. How Energy Reaches Earth
Radiation
Energy transfer in the form of electromagnetic waves
Can travel through empty spaces in all directions
Most of the Sun’s energy that reaches Earth’s surface is in the visible light range on the Electromagnetic spectrum.
The sun emits light and heat as well as the ultraviolet rays that cause a suntan. These forms of energy are only part of a large array of energy emitted by the sun, called the electromagnetic spectrum.

13. Radiation All objects, at any temperature, emit radiant energy.
Hotter objects radiate more total energy per unit area than colder objects do.
The hottest radiating bodies produce the shortest wavelengths of maximum radiation.
Objects that are good absorbers of radiation are good emitters as well.

14. What happens to solar radiation?
When radiation strikes an object, there usually are three different results.
Some energy is absorbed by the object.
Substances such as water and air are transparent to certain wavelengths of radiation.
Some radiation may bounce off the object without being absorbed or transmitted.

15. Solar Radiation

16. How Energy Reaches Earth
Electromagnetic Spectrum
The classification of radiation based on wavelength, frequency, and amplitude
ESRT p.14

17. Electromagnetic Spectrum

18. Visible Light Consists of an Array of Colors

19. ESRT: Electromagnetic Spectrum p.14 Questions #1-7 p. 170

20. ESRT: Electromagnetic Spectrum p.14 Questions #1-7 p. 170

21. ESRT: Electromagnetic Spectrum p.14 Answers #1-7 p. 170

22. ESRT: Electromagnetic Spectrum p.14 Answers #1-7 p. 170
Questions #1-6 p

23. How Energy Reaches Earth
Angle of Insolation
The altitude of the sun over the horizon, measured in degrees
Highest altitude is 90° (directly overhead)
Changes depending on 3 things: time of day, latitude, season

24. Angle of Insolation Changes Depending on 3 Things:
Time of day
Sunrise
Sun is lowest in the sky- cooler temperatures
Solar noon
Sun is highest in the sky- warmer temperatures
Sunset
Sun is low in the sky- cooler temperatures

25. Angle of Insolation Changes Depending on 3 Things:
2. Latitude
The lower the latitutde- the higher the angle of insolation
Equator= 0°; altitude of sun is high all year, warm temperatures
Poles= 90° (North and South); altitude of sun is low all year, colder temperatures

26. Angle of Insolation Changes Depending on 3 Things:
3. Season
Seasonal changes occur because Earth’s position relative to the sun continually changes as it travels along its orbit.
In the northern hemisphere:
Sun is highest in the sky in June:
Warm temperatures
Summer
The summer solstice is on June 21; the “official” first day of summer.
Sun is lowest in the sky in December:
Cooler temperatures
Winter
The winter solstice is on December 21; is the “official” first day of winter.

27. Solstice

28. How Energy Reaches Earth
Duration of Insolation
The length of time the sun is over the horizon
Depends on latitude and time of year
At the equator (0°): 12 hour days all year long- no seasons
As the latitude increases…
Summer= Longer days- warmer temperatures
Winter= Shorter days- cooler temperatures
Questions #1-3 p. 173

29. Atmospheric Transparency

30. Atmospheric Transparency: Reflection/ Refraction/ Absorption of Insolation
Light vs. Dark

31. Atmospheric Transparency: Reflection/ Refraction/ Absorption of Insolation
Rough vs. Smooth

32. Atmospheric Transparency: Reflection/ Refraction/ Absorption of Insolation
Land vs. Water
Land heats up faster than water because water has a higher specific heat
Land cools down faster than water, because water has a higher specific heat
In the winter, the lake may not freeze
In the spring, part of the lake may still be frozen even though the temperatures are warm

33. Land vs. Water

34. Atmospheric Transparency: Reflection/ Refraction/ Absorption of Insolation
Specific Heat
The amount of heat (calories) needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance one degree Celsius.
ESRT p. 1
The higher the specific heat, the more heat energy it requires to raise the temperature of the material
The lower the specific heat, the faster it heats up

35. ESRT: Specific Heat p.1

36. ESRT: Specific Heat p.1 Questions a-e p. 175

37. ESRT: Specific Heat p.1 Answers a-e p. 175

38. Atmospheric Transparency
A good absorber of electromagnetic energy is a good radiator of electromagnetic energy. If a material heats up quickly, it will also cool down quickly.
Questions #1-5 p. 176

39. Terrestrial Radiation
Radiation from Earth’s Surface
Infrared
Long wave radiation emitted from Earth’s surface and other terrestrial objects

40. Terrestrial Radiation

41. Terrestrial Radiation
Greenhouse effect
Occurs as long wave radiation (infrared) is trapped within Earth’s Atmosphere
Greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide and waver vapor, absorb the long wave radiation
Traps in heat which causes Earth’s surface temperatures to increase
About 50 percent of the solar energy that strikes the top of the atmosphere reaches Earth’s surface and is absorbed.
Questions #1-9 p

42. Terrestrial Radiation
Conduction
Transfer of energy from molecule to molecule
Most effective in solids, but can occur in gasses or solids
Example
Metal bar

43. Terrestrial Radiation
Convection
Energy transfer caused by the differences in density
Occurs in fluids (liquid or gasses)
Most dominant heat transfer in Earth’s Atmosphere
Warm air rises, cool air sinks
Questions #1-4 p. 179;
Section Review Questions #1-16 p