Atmospheric processes
Stage 6 content:
Processes, cycles and circulations connecting natural systems
- the processes, cycles and circulations connecting natural systems
- atmospheric systems, e.g. global atmospheric circulations, weather systems, atmosphere-ocean circulations
Processes, cycles and circulations connecting natural systems
- the processes, cycles and circulations connecting natural systems
- atmospheric systems, e.g. global atmospheric circulations, weather systems, atmosphere-ocean circulations
Solar radiation
Absorption: the atmosphere absorbs some of the sun’s heat. Most absorption occurs in the troposphere.
Reflection: the sun’s heat is reflected back into space by the earth. The percentage of solar radiation reflected by an object is it’s albedo
Scattering: Solar radiation is scattered in the atmosphere. It is both reflected back towards Earth and upwards into space
Heat distribution
Daily differences: The Earth rotates about it’s axis every 24hrs. The sun’s radiation is only received during the day. At night ( when a place is obscured from the sun) more heat is lost from the Earth’s surface than is replaced by incoming radiation.
Seasonal differences: Heat is unevenly distributed during the year. This is because:
- The earth revolves around the sun once every year
- The earth’s axis has a fixed tilt of about 23 1/3o
Latitude: At latitudes further away the rays fall on the earth at a more acute angle, and less radiation is received.
Solstice: The times when the sun appears furthest from the equator, and is over either of the tropics.
The global heat budget
In some locations on the earth, there is more heat received from the sun than is reflected by earth. These locations are mainly in the tropics. In contrast, in polar regions and at high altitudes, less heat is received from the sun than is reflected by earth. The excess of heat that results in the tropics is transferred to the poles and high altitudes by the two processes of Horizontal Transfers and Vertical Transfers.
Absorption: the atmosphere absorbs some of the sun’s heat. Most absorption occurs in the troposphere.
Reflection: the sun’s heat is reflected back into space by the earth. The percentage of solar radiation reflected by an object is it’s albedo
Scattering: Solar radiation is scattered in the atmosphere. It is both reflected back towards Earth and upwards into space
Heat distribution
Daily differences: The Earth rotates about it’s axis every 24hrs. The sun’s radiation is only received during the day. At night ( when a place is obscured from the sun) more heat is lost from the Earth’s surface than is replaced by incoming radiation.
Seasonal differences: Heat is unevenly distributed during the year. This is because:
- The earth revolves around the sun once every year
- The earth’s axis has a fixed tilt of about 23 1/3o
Latitude: At latitudes further away the rays fall on the earth at a more acute angle, and less radiation is received.
Solstice: The times when the sun appears furthest from the equator, and is over either of the tropics.
The global heat budget
In some locations on the earth, there is more heat received from the sun than is reflected by earth. These locations are mainly in the tropics. In contrast, in polar regions and at high altitudes, less heat is received from the sun than is reflected by earth. The excess of heat that results in the tropics is transferred to the poles and high altitudes by the two processes of Horizontal Transfers and Vertical Transfers.
Extended response
Describe the composition and features of the different layers of the atmosphere.
Describe the composition and features of the different layers of the atmosphere.
Glossary
Atmosphere: The transparent, odourless mass of air surrounding earth
Greenhouse Effect: The trapping and build-up of heat in the troposphere near the earth’s surface
Ozone: A colourless gas, the product of the reaction between oxygen and the sun’s ultraviolet radiation
Wind: A movement of air from areas of relatively high atmospheric pressure to areas of lower atmospheric pressure
Urban Heat Island: A phenomenon of urban settlements where relatively warm atmospheric temperatures prevail in the most heavily built-up areas and decrease outward towards the fringes
Solar Radiation: Energy received from the sun and on which all life depends
Acid Rain: Precipitation containing excessive amounts of acid formed when oxides of sulphur and nitrogen mix in the atmosphere
Troposphere: The inner most layer of the atmosphere in which most the earth’s weather occurs.
Fossil Fuels: Energy sources formed in past geological times from organic materials
Lapse Rate: The decline in temperature that occurs with increasing altitude throughout the troposphere.
Atmosphere: The transparent, odourless mass of air surrounding earth
Greenhouse Effect: The trapping and build-up of heat in the troposphere near the earth’s surface
Ozone: A colourless gas, the product of the reaction between oxygen and the sun’s ultraviolet radiation
Wind: A movement of air from areas of relatively high atmospheric pressure to areas of lower atmospheric pressure
Urban Heat Island: A phenomenon of urban settlements where relatively warm atmospheric temperatures prevail in the most heavily built-up areas and decrease outward towards the fringes
Solar Radiation: Energy received from the sun and on which all life depends
Acid Rain: Precipitation containing excessive amounts of acid formed when oxides of sulphur and nitrogen mix in the atmosphere
Troposphere: The inner most layer of the atmosphere in which most the earth’s weather occurs.
Fossil Fuels: Energy sources formed in past geological times from organic materials
Lapse Rate: The decline in temperature that occurs with increasing altitude throughout the troposphere.
