OTHER TOPICS -----> Intro/Maps Atmosphere Climate / Hydrosphere
Biosphere / Soils Tectonics Specific Environments

ATMOSPHERE CHAPTERS -----> Atmosphere Temp/Energy Pressure/Wind Moisture Storms

Energy and Temperature

I. SOLAR ENERGY

A. Electromagnetic Spectrum

  1. wavelength
  2. speed of light = 186,000 miles/second
  3. visible energy
  4. longwave energy
    • infrared; radio; TV; microwave
  5. shortwave energy
    • ultraviolet, xrays, gamma, cosmic rays
B. Insolation and the Solar Constant

II. ATMOSPHERIC HEATING AND COOLING PROCESSES

A. Heat Transfer (in the atmosphere)

  1. radiation / absorption
  2. conduction
  3. convection (photo) and advection
  4. transmission, reflection, and scattering
B. Adiabatic Heating and Cooling (diagram) (results)

C. Heat (energy) vs. Temperature ( °F, °C, or °K ?)

D. Specific Heat, Latent Heat and Albedo

III. ENERGY/HEAT CONTROLS

A. Incoming Solar Energy

  1. angle of incidence (varies w/ latitude)
  2. length of day
  3. land/water relationship
  4. clear vs. cloudy skies at night
B. Global Heat Transfer Mechanisms ... or storms

IV. GLOBAL TEMPERATURE PATTERN(S)

A. Isolines -- Isotherms: lines ... shaded

  1. more detail (... fine scale)
  2. 24 hr temperature change
B. Hottest? Coldest?

C. Temperature Ranges (annual vs. diurnal)

  1. Hilo, HI (no variation)
  2. Harbin, China (more extreme)
  3. Phoenix
D. Urban Heat Island ⇒ vertical - roof tops

 

ATMOSPHERE CHAPTERS -----> Atmosphere Temp/Energy Pressure/Wind Moisture Storms