Energy in the Earth System Big Ideas

1. Energy in the Earth SystemBig Ideas • The climate system (and life on Earth ) is maintained by energy coming from the Sun (electromagnetic radiation). • The atmosphere, which surrounds us, affects us in many ways, including the Greenhouse effect. • Short wave radiation (light) is absorbed by matter and change to long wave radiation (heat). • The balance between incoming light energy and outgoing (emitted) heat determines temperature of the planet.

2. The Greenhouse effect Our important Atmosphere Adapted from the Environmental Literacy Council Environmental Science Teacher Exchange http://www.enviroliteracy.org/category.php?id=13

3. Sunlight on the Moon 215º F day time -243º F night time Sunlight on the Earth 134º FDeath Valley, July 10, 1913 -129º FAntarctica, July 21, 1983 The role of an atmosphere With no atmosphere the Earth’s ave. temperature would be -27 º

4. Earth’s Atmosphere • Is capable of quickly moving and distributing mass and heat over large distances. • Is an efficient communicator • Directly affects life on Earth by supplying the gases for the respiration of vegetation and animals. • And by moving water from oceans to land.

5. Structure of the Atmosphere As you go up.. • Chemical composition changes. • Temperature changes • Pressure changes 90% of mass is in first 40 km!

6. Composition of the Atmosphere • Nitrogen 78.1% • Oxygen 20.9% • Water vapor 0 to 4% • Argon 0.9% • Neon 0.002% • Carbon Dioxide 0.035% • Methane 0.0002% • Helium 0.0005% • Krypton 0.0001% • Nitrous oxide 0.00003% • Hydrogen 0.00005% • Ozone 0.000004%

7. The energy that drives the climate system comes from the Sun

9. The Sun … • Is the star located at the center of our planetary system. • Is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. • Sends solar heat energy which travels through space in the form of electromagnetic waves.

10. At the top of the atmosphere the Energy is fairly constant The Solar Constant 1,370 Watts/m2

11. Energy interacts with matter • Reflection (albedo) • Transmission • Absorption (becomes heat)

12. What happens to solar radiation once it meets the Earth's atmosphere? • Energy is mainly transmitted through the atmosphere • 30% is reflected, mainly from clouds • Energy is absorbed by the land and water. • Albedo: how well an object reflect energy.

13. Earth’s Energy Budget Incoming energy= Outgoing energy

14. The Sun and Earth give off Energy

15. Earth’s Energy Budget in detail

16. The Greenhouse Effect • Short wave and visible pass easily through the atmosphere and are absorbed by the Earth’s surface. • Some energy is radiated back into the atmosphere where it is absorbed by molecules of gas. • The heated gases radiate energy in all directions, including back to Earth.

17. The Greenhouse gases • Carbon Dioxide • Methane • Nitrous oxide • Water vapor • CFC’s

18. Greenhouse gases

19. The Climate System

20. Big Ideas • The climate system (and life on Earth ) is maintained by energy coming from the Sun (electromagnetic radiation). • The atmosphere, which surrounds us, affects us in a way called the Greenhouse effect. • Short wave radiation (Light) is absorbed by matter and change to long wave radiation (heat). • The balance between incoming light energy and outgoing (emitted) heat determines temperature of the planet.

21. A good question…. Why does light energy from the Sun pass through the greenhouse gases unabsorbed, but the infrared energy radiated from the Earth gets absorbed? Answer: Resonance: