Weather and Climate Unit

ENERGY IN THE
ATMOSPHERE

Energy in the
Atmosphere
Energy from the sun travels to Earth as
electromagnetic waves as visible light,
infrared radiation, and ultraviolet radiation.
When Earths surface is heated it radiates
some of the energy back into the
atmosphere in the form of longerwavelength radiation

VOCAB:
Electromagnetic waves form of energy

that travels through space

Radiation the direct transfer of energy by

electromagnetic waves (ex: UV and

infrared)
Greenhouse effect the process by which

gases hold heat in the air

Greenhouse Effect Video

HEAT TRANSFER

Heat Transfer
Heat is transferred in three ways:
1. Conduction
2. convection
3. Radiation

Heat Transfer Video

Other examples
1. Conduction stepping on hot sand.
Heat is transferred from the sand into
your feet
2. Convection - when cooking rice or
any other food. Heat can travel
through liquid or gases.
3. Radiation getting sunburned. Your
skin heating is up is from direct heat
from the sun

WINDS

Winds

What causes winds..

All winds are caused by difference in

air pressure which is a result of
unequal heating of the earths
surface

Measuring wind
Winds are described by their
direction and speed.
Its direction is determined by a wind
vane.
Its speed is measured with an
anemometer

Local winds
Local winds are winds that blow over
short distances
They are caused by unequal heating
of Earths surface with a small area

Sea breeze vs. land

breeze

Sea breeze

A wind that blows from an ocean or

lake onto land

Land breeze

Is the flow of air from land to a body

of water

MONSOONS

monsoons

Monsoons

Are sea and land breezes over a

large region that change direction
with the seasons.