SUN’S ENERGY ON EARTH’S SPHERES

THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Greenhouse gases: gases that absorb
solar energy in Earth’s atmosphere.
Greenhouse effect: process that
absorbs outgoing solar energy in Earth’s
atmosphere.
 Most of the solar energy in the
atmosphere is absorbed by land and
water.
GREENHOUSE GASES
Many greenhouse gases occur naturally
Water vapour from water, plants, animals. Most
abundant gas!
Carbon dioxide from living organisms, volcanoes,
forest fires etc.
Methane from some bacteria and micro-
organisms that live in bogs and wetlands. Vents
and other openings from Earth’s crust as well.
Nitrous oxide from bacteria in oceans and wet
soils.
Greenhouse gases are also released from
human activity!
GLOBAL WINDS
The amount of solar energy varies at different regions of
Earth.
Wind plays an important role in redistributing thermal
energy around Earth.
The warm air that cools helps create winds that moves both
warm and cool air around.
GLOBAL WIND SYSTEMS
Earth’s major wind systems result from a combination of
convection currents and the Coriolis effect.
Coriolis effect: a change in the direction of moving air, water, or
other objects on or near Earth’s surface due to Earth’s rotation.
The global wind systems move thermal energy around
and distribute it evenly throughout the atmosphere.
OCEAN CURRENTS
Ocean currents also move thermal energy around Earth.
Surface currents are created by wind and there are 5
major sets- one in each main ocean basin:
north Pacific basin
south Pacific basin
north Atlantic basin
south Atlantic basin
Indian Ocean basin
 Colder water sinks
and displaces warmer
water.
Saltier water sinks
and displaces less salty
water.
Both of these motions
produce a massive
system of deep-water
current called the great
ocean conveyor belt.
It moves water that
GREAT OCEAN CONVEYER BELT carries heat around the
whole world.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS VS. CELLULAR RESPIRATION
Inquiry assignment!
Individually or with a partner!