{"id":750,"date":"2017-04-19T22:33:45","date_gmt":"2017-04-19T22:33:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/geophysical\/?post_type=chapter&p=750"},"modified":"2017-04-26T17:51:04","modified_gmt":"2017-04-26T17:51:04","slug":"heat-transfer-in-the-atmosphere","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-geophysical\/chapter\/heat-transfer-in-the-atmosphere\/","title":{"raw":"Heat Transfer in the Atmosphere","rendered":"Heat Transfer in the Atmosphere"},"content":{"raw":"Heat<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0moves in the atmosphere the same way it moves through the solid Earth (Plate Tectonics chapter) or another medium. What follows is a review of the way heat flows and is transferred, but applied to the atmosphere.\u00a0Radiation<\/strong>\u00a0is the transfer of energy between two objects by electromagnetic waves. Heat radiates from the ground into the lower atmosphere.\r\n\r\nIn conduction<\/strong>, heat moves from areas of more heat to areas of less heat by direct contact. Warmer molecules vibrate rapidly and collide with other nearby molecules, transferring their energy. In the atmosphere, conduction is more effective at lower altitudes where air density is higher; transfers heat upward to where the molecules are spread further apart or transfers heat laterally from a warmer to a cooler spot, where the molecules are moving less vigorously.\r\n\r\nHeat transfer by movement of heated materials is called convection<\/strong>. Heat that radiates from the ground initiates convection cells in the atmosphere.\r\n

Heat at Earth's Surface<\/h2>\r\nAbout half of the solar radiation that strikes the top of the atmosphere is filtered out before it reaches the ground. This energy can be absorbed by atmospheric gases, reflected by clouds, or scattered. Scattering occurs when a light wave strikes a particle and bounces off in some other direction.\r\n\r\nAbout 3\u00a0percent of the energy that strikes the ground is reflected back into the atmosphere. The rest is absorbed by rocks, soil, and water and then radiated back into the air as heat. These infrared wavelengths can only be seen by infrared sensors.\r\nBecause solar energy continually enters Earth\u2019s atmosphere and ground surface, is the planet getting hotter? The answer is no (although the next section contains an exception) because energy from Earth escapes into space through the top of the atmosphere. If the amount that exits is equal to the amount that comes in, then average global temperature stays the same. This means that the planet\u2019s heat budget is in balance. What happens if more energy comes in than goes out? If more energy goes out than comes in?\r\n\r\nTo say that the Earth\u2019s heat budget is balanced ignores an important point. The amount of incoming solar energy is different at different latitudes). Where do you think the most solar energy ends up and why? Where does the least solar energy end up and why?\r\n\r\nThe difference in solar energy received at different latitudes drives atmospheric circulation.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/th>\r\nDay Length<\/th>\r\nSun Angle<\/th>\r\nSolar Radiation<\/th>\r\nAlbedo<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
Equatorial Region<\/th>\r\nNearly same all year<\/td>\r\nHigh<\/td>\r\nHigh<\/td>\r\nLow<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Polar Regions<\/th>\r\nNight 6 months<\/td>\r\nLow<\/td>\r\nLow<\/td>\r\nHigh<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

The Greenhouse Effect<\/h2>\r\nThe exception to Earth\u2019s temperature being in balance is caused by greenhouse gases. But first the role of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere must be explained. Greenhouse gases warm the atmosphere by trapping heat. Some of the heat radiation out from the ground is trapped by greenhouse gases in the troposphere. Like a blanket on a sleeping person, greenhouse gases act as insulation for the planet. The warming of the atmosphere because of insulation by greenhouse gases is called the greenhouse effect<\/strong>. Greenhouse gases are the component of the atmosphere that moderate Earth\u2019s temperatures.\r\n\r\n\"This\r\n\r\nGreenhouse gases include CO2<\/sub>, H2<\/sub>O, methane, O3<\/sub>, nitrous oxides (NO and NO2<\/sub>), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). All are a normal part of the atmosphere except CFCs. The table below\u00a0shows how each greenhouse gas naturally enters the atmosphere.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Greenhouse Gas<\/th>\r\nWhere It Comes From<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
Carbon dioxide<\/td>\r\nRespiration, volcanic eruptions, decomposition of plant material; burning of fossil fuels<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Methane<\/td>\r\nDecomposition of plant material under some conditions, biochemical reactions in stomachs<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Nitrous oxide<\/td>\r\nProduced by bacteria<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Ozone<\/td>\r\nAtmospheric processes<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Chlorofluorocarbons<\/td>\r\nNot naturally occurring; made by humans<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nDifferent greenhouse gases have different abilities to trap heat. For example, one methane molecule traps 23 times as much heat as one CO2<\/sub> molecule. One CFC-12 molecule (a type of CFC) traps 10,600 times as much heat as one CO2<\/sub>. Still, CO2<\/sub> is a very important greenhouse gas because it is much more abundant in the atmosphere.Human activity has significantly raised the levels of many of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Methane levels are about 2 1\/2 times higher as a result of human activity. Carbon dioxide has increased more than 35\u00a0percent. CFCs have only recently existed.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think happens as atmospheric greenhouse gas levels increase? More greenhouse gases trap more heat and warm the atmosphere. The increase or decrease of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere affect climate and weather the world over.","rendered":"

Heat<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0moves in the atmosphere the same way it moves through the solid Earth (Plate Tectonics chapter) or another medium. What follows is a review of the way heat flows and is transferred, but applied to the atmosphere.\u00a0Radiation<\/strong>\u00a0is the transfer of energy between two objects by electromagnetic waves. Heat radiates from the ground into the lower atmosphere.<\/p>\n

In conduction<\/strong>, heat moves from areas of more heat to areas of less heat by direct contact. Warmer molecules vibrate rapidly and collide with other nearby molecules, transferring their energy. In the atmosphere, conduction is more effective at lower altitudes where air density is higher; transfers heat upward to where the molecules are spread further apart or transfers heat laterally from a warmer to a cooler spot, where the molecules are moving less vigorously.<\/p>\n

Heat transfer by movement of heated materials is called convection<\/strong>. Heat that radiates from the ground initiates convection cells in the atmosphere.<\/p>\n

Heat at Earth’s Surface<\/h2>\n

About half of the solar radiation that strikes the top of the atmosphere is filtered out before it reaches the ground. This energy can be absorbed by atmospheric gases, reflected by clouds, or scattered. Scattering occurs when a light wave strikes a particle and bounces off in some other direction.<\/p>\n

About 3\u00a0percent of the energy that strikes the ground is reflected back into the atmosphere. The rest is absorbed by rocks, soil, and water and then radiated back into the air as heat. These infrared wavelengths can only be seen by infrared sensors.
\nBecause solar energy continually enters Earth\u2019s atmosphere and ground surface, is the planet getting hotter? The answer is no (although the next section contains an exception) because energy from Earth escapes into space through the top of the atmosphere. If the amount that exits is equal to the amount that comes in, then average global temperature stays the same. This means that the planet\u2019s heat budget is in balance. What happens if more energy comes in than goes out? If more energy goes out than comes in?<\/p>\n

To say that the Earth\u2019s heat budget is balanced ignores an important point. The amount of incoming solar energy is different at different latitudes). Where do you think the most solar energy ends up and why? Where does the least solar energy end up and why?<\/p>\n

The difference in solar energy received at different latitudes drives atmospheric circulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\nDay Length<\/th>\nSun Angle<\/th>\nSolar Radiation<\/th>\nAlbedo<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Equatorial Region<\/th>\nNearly same all year<\/td>\nHigh<\/td>\nHigh<\/td>\nLow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Polar Regions<\/th>\nNight 6 months<\/td>\nLow<\/td>\nLow<\/td>\nHigh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Greenhouse Effect<\/h2>\n

The exception to Earth\u2019s temperature being in balance is caused by greenhouse gases. But first the role of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere must be explained. Greenhouse gases warm the atmosphere by trapping heat. Some of the heat radiation out from the ground is trapped by greenhouse gases in the troposphere. Like a blanket on a sleeping person, greenhouse gases act as insulation for the planet. The warming of the atmosphere because of insulation by greenhouse gases is called the greenhouse effect<\/strong>. Greenhouse gases are the component of the atmosphere that moderate Earth\u2019s temperatures.<\/p>\n

\"This<\/p>\n

Greenhouse gases include CO2<\/sub>, H2<\/sub>O, methane, O3<\/sub>, nitrous oxides (NO and NO2<\/sub>), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). All are a normal part of the atmosphere except CFCs. The table below\u00a0shows how each greenhouse gas naturally enters the atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Greenhouse Gas<\/th>\nWhere It Comes From<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Carbon dioxide<\/td>\nRespiration, volcanic eruptions, decomposition of plant material; burning of fossil fuels<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Methane<\/td>\nDecomposition of plant material under some conditions, biochemical reactions in stomachs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nitrous oxide<\/td>\nProduced by bacteria<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ozone<\/td>\nAtmospheric processes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chlorofluorocarbons<\/td>\nNot naturally occurring; made by humans<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Different greenhouse gases have different abilities to trap heat. For example, one methane molecule traps 23 times as much heat as one CO2<\/sub> molecule. One CFC-12 molecule (a type of CFC) traps 10,600 times as much heat as one CO2<\/sub>. Still, CO2<\/sub> is a very important greenhouse gas because it is much more abundant in the atmosphere.Human activity has significantly raised the levels of many of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Methane levels are about 2 1\/2 times higher as a result of human activity. Carbon dioxide has increased more than 35\u00a0percent. CFCs have only recently existed.<\/p>\n

What do you think happens as atmospheric greenhouse gas levels increase? More greenhouse gases trap more heat and warm the atmosphere. The increase or decrease of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere affect climate and weather the world over.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t

Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div>