Solar Energy & Wind

24.324.3

Energy in the Atmosphere

Solar Energy = energy from the Solar Energy = energy from the sunsun

Some solar energy that reaches the Some solar energy that reaches the atmosphere is reflected backatmosphere is reflected back

Some is absorbed by atmosphereSome is absorbed by atmosphereSome is absorbed by Earth surfaceSome is absorbed by Earth surface

Energy Transfer & Atmosphere

Energy is transferred in 3 waysEnergy is transferred in 3 ways Radiation—Heat in all directionsRadiation—Heat in all directions Convection— currents of H & C airConvection— currents of H & C air Conduction—Heat Conduction—Heat

with direct contactwith direct contact Greenhouse Effect = some energy in Greenhouse Effect = some energy in

atmosphere is reflected back to Earth atmosphere is reflected back to Earth surfacesurface

Wind

The Flow of air from High The Flow of air from High Pressure to Low PressurePressure to Low Pressure

Winds are cause by Winds are cause by differences in Air Pressure differences in Air Pressure and Temperatureand Temperature

Local Winds (Sea Breeze)Sea Breeze—Day—Air above land Sea Breeze—Day—Air above land

warms & rises, cool air from water warms & rises, cool air from water moves in & replaces warm land airmoves in & replaces warm land air

Local Winds (Land Breeze)Land Breeze—Air above water Land Breeze—Air above water

warms and rises, cool air from land warms and rises, cool air from land moves in & replaces rising warm moves in & replaces rising warm water airwater air

Global Winds

GW = winds that blow over long GW = winds that blow over long distances from specific distances from specific directionsdirections

Coriolis Effect = wind that are Coriolis Effect = wind that are bent Because the Earth is bent Because the Earth is spinningspinning

Jet Stream—high speed air flow

Prevailing winds Polar Easterlies:Polar Easterlies:

From 60-90 From 60-90 degrees latitude. degrees latitude.

Prevailing Prevailing Westerlies:Westerlies: From 30-60 From 30-60 degrees latitudedegrees latitude

Tropical Tropical Easterlies:Easterlies: From From 0-30 degrees 0-30 degrees latitude (aka latitude (aka Trade Winds). Trade Winds).

MonsoonsMonsoon = Large Scale Land Monsoon = Large Scale Land

& Sea Breeze & Sea Breeze (Summer (Summer (sb)(sb) = Rainy Season— = Rainy Season—

air moves from Ocean to land)air moves from Ocean to land)(Winter (Winter (lb)(lb) = Dry Season—Air = Dry Season—Air

moves land onto water) moves land onto water)

MonsoonPictures