Unit 7
Unit 7By: Kelsey Lewis, Kimmy Parks, Tyler Tucker, Ashley
SunWWKHow changing surface ocean conditions affects global
weatherThe causes of Earths climate changes, such as human
activities and giant meteorite impacts.
The OceanThe ocean covers over 70 percent of Earths surface. The
ocean is very important in regulating the weather and climate of
our planet. Understanding the influential power that the ocean has
on changes on the Earths climate and observing these changes are
key to predicting weather patterns and climate changes. Ocean
Currents are the steady flow of ocean water in a prevailing
direction. These are responsible for carrying heat which affects
the water life and weather.
EL NioEl Nino is an abnormal warming of ocean surface waters in
the Pacific Ocean. It is part of something called Southern
Oscillation. Southern Oscillation is the pattern of switching
surface air pressure back and forth between the eastern and western
Pacific by South America. When the surface pressure is high in the
eastern Pacific its then low in the western Pacific because they
are opposite of each other. The ocean warming and pressure
reversals are simultaneous; scientists named this process El
Nino/Southern Oscillation or ENSO.
LA niaLa Nina is the cooling of the surface water of the eastern
and central Pacific Ocean, occurring somewhat less frequently than
El Nio events but causing similar, generally opposite disruptions
to global weather patterns. La Nia conditions occur when the
Pacific trade winds blow more strongly than usual, pushing the
sun-warmed surface water farther west and increasing the upwelling
of cold water in the eastern regions. Together with the atmospheric
effects of the related southern oscillation, the cooler water
brings drought to western South America and heavy rains to eastern
Australia and Indonesia.
Video www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFDdGK2EIO0
KSWhere does El Nio happen?
WWKAnalyze uneven distribution of solar energy through Earths
surface, and evaluate heat transfer through the atmosphere and
hydrosphere, and the effect it has on Earth.
Uneven distribution of Solar EnergyThroughout the earth we have
solar radiation, heat, and wind that is transferred throughout the
Atmosphere, also called solar distribution. Earths uneven
distribution of solar energy can be caused from the earths tilt of
its axis, climate and clouds( a form of condensation best described
as a dense concentration of suspended water droplets), and air
pollution.Clouds distribute the suns rays by scattering the rays in
opposite directions.
Heat Transfer through the Atmosphere and HydrosphereHeat is
transferred through the atmosphere and hydrosphere in 3
ways:Radiation, convection, and conductionHeat transferred through
radiation travels through electromagnetic waves. As in the sun
Solar radiation is absorbed by all objects, such as humans, plants,
animals and roads. This form of radiation is a visible light.
Contd.Conduction is the transfer of heat from one molecule to
another within a substance. An example of this would be you holding
a glass over an open flame, the flame would heat the molecules in
your glass, then the glass molecules would heat the molecules in
your hand causing your hand to warm up.The final transfer of heat
would be convection, this is the most common in the hydrosphere. It
is the transfer of heat through the movement of a fluid, such as
air or water. An example would be an ocean current.
The Final Effect on the EarthSolar distribution causes
temperature differences which can cause the varying amounts of
solar energy that is absorbed in different regions of the earth,
but things such as convection or ocean currents can cause a make up
of heat transfer, such as a northward flowing gulf stream causing a
weather phenomenon towards the poles. The different ways the earth
transfers heat can effect other things such as changing climate,
greenhouse gases, and the changing of the seasons.
videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xWWowXtuvA
WWKHeating through Earths atmosphere/surface with thermal
radiation.
KSWhat are one of the three ways the earth transfers heat
through the atmosphere and hydrosphere?
The Earth is a HUGE conductor of energy. We know this because of
its structure. Its inner core alone, is made up entirely of iron,
which is an extremely powerful conductor of heat. When the sun
heats the Earth, the Earth absorbs it. The Earth is being warmed
through Solar energy; energy that comes from the Sun.
Solar constant: the rate at which the sun's energy is received
per unit area at the top of the earth's atmospherePercentages of
the suns solar rays are absorbed in the atmosphere while the rest
absorbs in the Earth. The Earth transfers that energy into Thermal
energy where it then heats the earth. Through convection, the hot
energy travels up to the atmosphere, warming the atmosphere. Here
we get the term, Global Warming; the process of which the Earth
heats itself.
videoNow that we know how the sun heats the earth and the earth
absorbs the heat, lets take a look at how that heat benefits us!
:Dhttp://youtu.be/ORH3ZkE6NWI
K.S.What is the rate at which the sun's energy is received per
unit area at the top of the earth's atmosphere???
Anybody remember??? ;)
WWKThe causes of Earths climate changes, such as human
activities and selective absorbers.
The contribution humans have on climate change comes from
greenhouse gases, aerosols, and cloudiness. The burning of fossil
fuels contributes to the change because of the released carbon
dioxide into the atmosphereThe gases and aerosols change solar
radiation that comes in and also the infrared radiation that leaves
, creating a change in the balance and in doing so can cause
cooling or warming of the climate
Human ActivitiesPollution Human Activities impacting
climateDriving
Manufacturing in factories
Construction
Mining
Greenhouse gases: is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and
emits radiation within the thermal infrared range.
Types of Greenhouse gases- carbon dioxide(CO2),-methane
(CH4),-nitrous oxide (N2O) -halocarbons
Selective Absorbers The Earth itself is an selective absorber ,
which is a surface that has high absorbance at wavelengths
corresponding to that of the solar spectrum and low admittance in
the infrared range, the Earth absorbs all radiation that hits it
and then releases infrared radiation. The atmosphere also absorbs
some wavelengths making it a selective absorber as well. And when
the atmosphere absorbs the infrared radiation from Earth it creates
a warmer air. Carbon dioxide and water vapor are also selective
absorbers.
What is one type of human activity causing problems for Earths
climate?KSvideohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvqU_L5PZtk The
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