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Physical Environments 4Loading...
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ATMOSPHEREHigher
Geography
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ATMOSPHERE
1. Global Heat Budget
2. Redistribution of Energy by Atmospheric Circulation
3. Redistribution of Energy by Oceanic Circulation
4. Cause, Characteristics and Impact of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
2. Redistribution of Energy by Atmospheric Circulation
3. Redistribution of Energy by Oceanic Circulation
4. Cause, Characteristics and Impact of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
Atmosphere
Blanket of gases attached to the planet by gravity.
Consists of mainly nitrogen, oxygen, argon and small variable amounts of water vapour and carbon dioxide.
Troposphere and Stratosphere are most important zones for life on earth.
Consists of mainly nitrogen, oxygen, argon and small variable amounts of water vapour and carbon dioxide.
Troposphere and Stratosphere are most important zones for life on earth.
1. Global Heat Budget
Solar Radiation
The Sun (our nearest Star) is 150 Million Km away and our main source of energy.
The sun derives its energy from the thermonuclear process which raises surface temperatures to over 6000 ⁰C. We only intercept a tiny amount of radiation as we travel round the sun.
The sun derives its energy from the thermonuclear process which raises surface temperatures to over 6000 ⁰C. We only intercept a tiny amount of radiation as we travel round the sun.
The energy which allows life to survive comes from the Sun, this also drives the Atmosphere and Oceans.
Solar Radiation - Inputs
Most of this energy is in the form of Short Wave Radiation (Visible light; Ultraviolet (UV) & Infrared).
About 50% of the shortwave radiation is reflected back into space, the remainder is absorbed by the land, upper layers of the ocean and seas, and a small amount by the Atmosphere.
Heated Land, Sea and Atmosphere re-radiate this radiation but at longer wavelengths. This is absorbed by the atmosphere especially water vapour & C0₂.
Shortwave radiation heats the atmosphere mainly indirectly, by being converted into longer wave lengths. Or as Latent Heat, energy is used by water molecules to be converted into water vapour when evaporation takes place. When the water condense to form clouds this energy is released at heat.
About 50% of the shortwave radiation is reflected back into space, the remainder is absorbed by the land, upper layers of the ocean and seas, and a small amount by the Atmosphere.
Heated Land, Sea and Atmosphere re-radiate this radiation but at longer wavelengths. This is absorbed by the atmosphere especially water vapour & C0₂.
Shortwave radiation heats the atmosphere mainly indirectly, by being converted into longer wave lengths. Or as Latent Heat, energy is used by water molecules to be converted into water vapour when evaporation takes place. When the water condense to form clouds this energy is released at heat.
Global Heat Budget – Atmospheric Variations
Lost by Reflection (Albedo):
1.Reflected by Air / Gasses – 8%
2.Reflected by Clouds – 17%
3.Reflected by Land - 6%
Total Lost by Reflection – 31%
1.Reflected by Air / Gasses – 8%
2.Reflected by Clouds – 17%
3.Reflected by Land - 6%
Total Lost by Reflection – 31%
*numbers vary across different sources as they are rounded
Lost by Absorption:
1.Absorbed by Water Vapour / Gasses – 19%
2.Absorbed by Clouds – 4%
Total Lost by Absorption – 23%
Total Absorbed by Land & Surface Water – 46%
1.Absorbed by Water Vapour / Gasses – 19%
2.Absorbed by Clouds – 4%
Total Lost by Absorption – 23%
Total Absorbed by Land & Surface Water – 46%