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Lesson 1 - Atmospheric Energy

The document discusses the global climate system and how natural and human processes affect the global energy balance. It covers key topics like the greenhouse effect, changes in the global energy balance from factors like albedo and greenhouse gas emissions, and the complexity of feedback loops within the climate system.

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salehalmasroori7
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15 views

Lesson 1 - Atmospheric Energy

The document discusses the global climate system and how natural and human processes affect the global energy balance. It covers key topics like the greenhouse effect, changes in the global energy balance from factors like albedo and greenhouse gas emissions, and the complexity of feedback loops within the climate system.

Uploaded by

salehalmasroori7
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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New Topic – Global Climate

What you'll need to know...

KEY CONCEPT - How natural and human processes affect the global energy balance

The atmospheric system, including the natural greenhouse effect and energy balance (incoming shortwave radiation
and outgoing longwave radiation)

Changes in the global energy balance, and the role of feedback loops, resulting from:

• Terrestrial albedo changes and feedback loops

• Solar radiation variations, including global dimming due to volcanic eruptions

• Methane gas release and feedback loops

The enhanced greenhouse effect and international variations in greenhouse gas sources and emissions, in relation to
economic development, globalization and trade

Synthesis, evaluation and skills opportunities

The complexity of the dynamic climate system and the spatial interactions of different processes and feedback
mechanisms

Key Terms:

Short-wave radiation is the energy from the sun that enters the earth's atmosphere (very
short wavelengths) such as ultraviolet and visible light. Generally emitted by hot bodies.

Long-wave Radiation is the energy leaving the earth as infrared radiation at low energy
and contains less energy than shortwave radiation. Generally emitted by cold bodies.

Convection is the transfer of heat by movement of a gas or liquid

Conduction is the transfer of heat by contact

*Greenhouse Effect - Process where water vapour, C02, CH4 & CFCs allow SW energy from the
sun to pass through the atmosphere and heat up the earth. However some of the resultant LW
radiation is trapped leading to a heating of the earth.

*Enhanced Greenhouse Effect occurs as a result of increased quantities of greenhouse gasses


in the atmosphere owing to human activities and their impact on these fragile atmospheric
systems.
Lesson 1 – The Atmospheric System
Aim: To be able to describe the functioning of the atmospheric system in terms of the energy balance between solar
and long wave radiation.

Starter:

Can you reach net zero?

https://ig.ft.com/climate-game/

https://youtu.be/rP2YCHRPYS8

Task 1 – How does the atmospheric system work?

The atmosphere is an ____open___ system, receiving radiation from both the sun and the ____earth____. The
energy of the earth is very ____small___ but it does have an effect in particular in urban climates. Incoming solar
radiation is referred to as _____insolation___________

The main energy that drives all of our weather systems and our climate comes from the sun. The vast majority of this
energy is absorbed at the _____equator_____ whereas energy is generally lost in the ____polar____ regions.
However, this energy is _______redistributed_______ to higher latitudes by wind and air
_______circulations_________.

Choose from this key word list

circulations open insolation earth equator redistributed polar small

b) Describe how temperature changes at each level of the atmosphere (p426)


Thermosphere:

Mesosphere

Stratosphere:

Troposphere:

Task 2: The Energy Budget and Balance

The earth and its atmosphere constantly receives solar radiation but there are long and short term variations in the
earth's climate & recent decades have seen the general rise in global temperatures. This is global warming and will
be covered a little later on in the unit.
Using the diagram above and p427, explain the Earth’s energy budget

What is the key difference between the energy budget and the energy balance?

Task 2 – Describing the heat and energy budget

Use the following link to CoolGeography – which has some great information on the Earth’s energy budget and
answer the questions below, copy diagrams from the website to help with your explanations:

https://www.coolgeography.co.uk/A-level/AQA/Year%2013/Weather%20and%20climate/Structure/Heat
%20Budget.htm

1. Describe the balance of energy received at the Earth's surface

2. How does this balance of energy link the the Tri-cellular model of atmospheric circulation? (use an image to
support your answer)

3. Think of as many reasons as possible to explain


a) Areas of energy surplus
b) Areas of energy Deficit

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