Student power point packet notes

1. CH. 16 – THE ATMOSPHERE

2. Meteorology Study of atmosphere & its dynamic processes (weather) Weather – state of atmosphere at a given place for short period of time

3. Meteorology Climate - compilation of weather over time for a region - changes gradually Ex: Ice Age vs. present Global warming

4. Elements of Weather 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

5. Heating the Atmosphere Radiation – energy transmitted through space Different types of energy travel at different wavelengths

6. Heating the Atmosphere All objects give off radiation: Hotter object = shorter wavelength Cooler object = longer wavelength

7. Solar & terrestrial wavelengths

8. Steps for heating the atmosphere: 1) Short wavelength solar radiation passes through atmosphere (uv & visible range) 2) Earth’s surface absorbs solar radiation & heats up

9. Steps for heating the atmosphere: 3) Earth emits infrared radiation 4) CO2 & H2O vapor absorb infrared radiation - “selective absorbers”

10. Earth-Sun Relations Causes annual variations in seasons at a given latitude Rotation = Earth spins on axis Revolution = Earth’s elliptical orbit around sun

11. Earth’s axis: Tilted 23 ½ o off vertical to plane of the ecliptic - points to North Star Most intense sunlight = solar rays striking Earth’s surface at 90o

12. Earth-Sun Relations Know for each season: 1) date 2) location of vertical rays of sun 3) nickname

13. Controls of Temperature 1) Latitude controls: a) Intensity = sun angle Most intense = 90o Lower sun angles = less intense

14. Latitude b) Amount = length of daylight hours At night, Earth emits radiation w/o collecting anymore - coolest temp. = _____________

15. Latitude Summer vs. Winter More daylight hours = Earth builds up surplus of energy (hot temp’s) Less daylight hours = Earth loses more energy than it gains (cold temp’s)

16. Latitude Affects annual temperature range i) Closer to equator = ____ annual temp. range ii) Closer to poles = _____ annual temp. range Why?

17. Temperature Range Difference between high & low temperatures - daily, monthly, annual

19. Cloudy vs. Clear Nights Cloudy night: Daily temp. range is__________ Clear night: Daily temp. range is __________

20. Controls of Temperature 3) Land vs. water ____ heats more in summer Land cools more in winter Land has more variable annual temperature range than water

21. Controls of Temperature 4) Elevation – land height above sea level Cooler temp’s at higher elevations b/c: a) Further from main heat source (“radiator”) = Earth’s surface

22. Elevation b) Less water vapor available in atmosphere Why?

24. U.S. map

25. Geographic Position “Landlocked” cities have _______ annual temp. ranges Coastal cities have ______ annual temp. ranges

26. Global Temperature Distribution Figures 16.32 & 16.33 Isotherm = line connecting points of equal temp’s NOTE: 1) Isotherms run __________ Why?

29. Global Temperature Distribution 2) Isotherm pattern is more ______ in Northern Hemisphere Why?

30. Global Temperature Distribution 3) Ocean surface currents alter general east-west trend of isotherms “Gyre” = circular pattern of ocean currents

31. Ocean circulation

32. Ocean Circulation Poleward-moving currents are _______ Equatorward-moving currents are _______ Ex: Gulf Stream vs. California Current

33. Ocean Circulation Affects temperature mean at similar latitudes Ex: England vs. Newfoundland

34. January temp’s