Investigation 2: Heating the Earth
- Page ID
- 38605
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Have you ever wondered why the weather can vary significantly from one place to another? Why does rain fall in some places and not in others? Why are some days very windy while other days are very calm? All of these phenomena originate from one source: the Sun (Figure 2.1). Heat from the sun fuels differences in temperature across the planet, which then drives many of the weather patterns that we oftentimes take for granted. In this investigation, we'll explore the different types of heat transfer, their mechanisms, and then focus on electromagnetic radiation and its role in heating the Earth.
- To discern one type of heat transfer from another.
- To identify the relationship between the temperature of an object and the type and amount of radiation the object emits.
- Distinguish the roles of angle of insolation and length of day in determining seasonal temperature changes.
- 2.1: Types of Heat Transfer
- Section on heat transfer, the movement of heat energy from warmer to cooler objects leading to thermal equilibrium. It details three main methods: conduction (direct contact), convection (in fluids), and radiation (electromagnetic waves), using examples like marshmallow roasting to demonstrate each. The discussion underscores the significance of understanding heat transfer in diverse scenarios, ranging from cooking to climate dynamics.
- 2.2: Radiation
- This page covers the concept of radiation, focusing on how the Sun’s energy reaches Earth and its importance for meteorologists. It clarifies misconceptions, introducing the Electromagnetic Spectrum and detailing properties of radiation types. Key facts indicate all objects emit radiation, with warmer ones emitting more energy.
- 2.3: Selective Absorbers and Greenhouse Gasses
- In this section, the atmosphere's Selective Absorbers that filter specific radiation wavelengths are covered. Key Greenhouse Gases (Water Vapor, Methane, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide) are transparent to visible light but absorb infrared radiation, enhancing Earth's warmth. The absorption spectrum highlights significant absorption by Oxygen and Ozone in the ultraviolet range, while most radiation between 1 and 100 µm passes through the Atmospheric Window.
- 2.4: Reflection, Albedo, and Land Cover
- An explanation of albedo, the measure of sunlight reflection by surfaces. It highlights that lighter surfaces, such as snow, reflect more sunlight and remain cool, while darker ones, like urban structures, absorb sunlight and heat up. The text illustrates this with examples and addresses the Urban Heat Island Effect, where urban areas become warmer due to lower albedo compared to natural landscapes.
- 2.5: Seasons and Latitude
- Exploration of how latitude affects climate, highlighting the variation in sunlight angle (Angle of Insolation) with distance from the equator. An experiment illustrates that sunlight is more intense at higher angles, influencing temperature. It explains that the Earth's 23.5° tilt alters the latitude of direct sunlight seasonally, impacting daylight at the poles. Consequently, higher latitudes generally experience cooler temperatures than the equator.
- 2.6: Length of Day and Insolation vs. Latitude
- This page explores how seasons influence sunlight angles and day lengths across various latitudes. It highlights that the Equator has minimal day length variation, while higher latitudes experience pronounced seasonal changes. As one travels north, insolation variability increases, affecting temperatures significantly.
- 2.7: Alternative Text Descriptions for Investigation 2
- Detailed alternative text descriptions for this investigation.
Thumbnail: The Sun. The Sun by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly of NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory by NASA is in the Public Domain.