Weather & Atmosphere: Chapter 2

3rd concept of radiation

objects that have a high temp emit radiation at a greater rate or intensity than objects with a lower temperature.

electromagnetic waves

radiation travels in the form of waves that release energy when they are absorbed by an object . these waves have magnetic and electric properties

reflected

reflection differs from scattering in that during the process of reflection more light is sent backwards

thermals

rising heated air bubbles

shortwave/longwave radiation

sun's radiation is shortwave and the earth's is longwave

radiative equilibrium temp

the earth is absorbing solar radiation and emitting infrared radiation at equal rates, and its average temp does not change.

kinetic energy

the energy of motion

radiant energy (or radiation)

the energy transferred from the sun to your face

greenhouse effect

the gas allows visible radiation to come in, but inhibits to some degree the passage of outgoing infrared radiation from the earth by water vapor and CO2

latent heat

the heat energy required to change a substance, such as water, from one state to another

2nd concept of radiation

the higher the object's temp, the shorter are the wavelengths of emitted radiation.

advection

the horizontally moving part of the circulation carries properties of the air in that particular area with it. the transfer of these properties by horizontally moving air

albedo

the percent of radiation returning from a given surface compared to the amount of radiation initially striking that surface.

visible region

the sun emits a max of radiation at wavelengths near 0.5 micrometers. Since our eyes are sensitive to radiation between 0.4 and 0.7 micrometers, these waves reach the eye and stimulate the sensation of color.

Convection

the transfer of heat by the mass movement of a fluid (such as water and air)

Conduction

the transfer of heat from molecule to molecule within a substance is called conduction.

Kelvin Scale (absolute scale)

this scale contains no negative numbers, named after British scientist Lord Kelvin.

infrared

wavelengths longer than red (o.7 micrometers)

atmospheric window

wavelengths of emitted energy pass upward through the atmosphere and out into space, the wavelength range is called the atmospheric window

UV

wavelengths shorter than 0.4 micrometers

1st concept of radiation

all things (whose temp is above the absolute zero), no matter how big or small, emit radiation.

blackbody

any object that is a perfect absorber (absorbs all radiation that strikes it) and a perfect emitter(emits the max radiation possible at its given temp)

vernal equinox

astronomical arrival of spring

summer solstice

astronomical first day of summer in the northern hemisphere

sensible heat

heat we can feel and measure with a thermometer

micrometer

how wavelengths are measured: equal to one-millionth of a meter

absolute zero

lowest temperature possible for atoms and molecules to move. (-273 degrees C or -459 degrees F)

Celsius scale

named after Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius. O is the scale assigned to when water freezes and 100 to which water boils.

Fahrenheit Scale

developed by physicist G. Daniel Fahrenheit who assigned 32 to the temp at which water freezes and 212 to when water boils.

photons

discrete packages of energy/streams of particles

scattering

distribution of light so that when sunlight strikes very small objects, such as air molecules and dust particles, the light itself is deflected in all directions - forward, sideways, and backwards.

Heat

energy in the process of being transferred from one object to another because of the temperature difference between them.

autumnal equinox

except at the poles, the days and nights throughout the world are of equal length. the astronomical beginning of fall in the northern hemisphere

Temp conversions

C=5/9(F-32) K=C+273

temperature

a measure of the average speed of the atoms and molecules, where higher temperatures correspond to faster average speeds.

solar constant

at the top of the atmosphere, solar energy receieved on a surface perpendicular to the sun's rays appears to remain fairly constant at nearly two calories on each square centimeter each minute, or 1367 W/m^2 -

winter soltice

beginning of winter in N world, shortest day of the year,

greenhouse gases

water vapor, CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone