Earth’s Energy Transfer

Once the sun’s energy has

reached the Earth, where does it go?

Remember Energy Transfer?Conduction– solids

Radiation–No medium

Convection- liquids and gases

Earth’s Energy Transfer• The atmosphere and

hydrosphere are able to absorb and store, and transfer thermal energy.

Referred to as heat sinks.

HydrosphereIncludes all water, water vapour and ice on Earth.

Water absorbs and stores more energy than land.

Hydrosphere and Climate

Remember the Water

Cycle??

Precipitation

Transpiration Evaporation

Ground water Surface Run-off

Water and Energy TransferEvaporation –

Absorbs energy from oceans and lakesHas a cooling effect (cools surrounding

area)

Condensation –Releases energy when vapour

condenses into cloudsMakes surrounding warm

Effects of Water on Nearby Regions (Lithosphere)

Water heats up and cools down more slowly than land.

Regions near water are:Summer- Cooler because the water takes

longer to heat up.Winter- Warmer in the fall as the water

slowly emits stored thermal energy as it cools down.

Effects of Water on Nearby RegionsRegions downwind of large

bodies of water:More snowfall due to LAKE EFFECT!

If water is not covered with ice evaporation increases water vapour

air reaches colder land condenses into snow!!

Effects of Water on Nearby Regions

Water absorbs more energy than air.

This is why water droplets on your skin

make you shiver….they are

absorbing energy to evaporate!

Energy Transfer in the Oceans

• Water travels towards the poles, Water cools, evaporates and freezes, rejecting salt, becomes more dense and saltier.

• Surrounding water becomes saltier, more dense, and sinks to the ocean floor.

Energy Transfer in the Oceans• Currents draw warmer water from the

equator travels to the poles to replace the water sinking and also evaporating.

Creates an ocean conveyor system called

Thermohaline Circulation

Energy Transfer in Oceans

Lithosphere• Includes all the solid rock,

soil, and minerals on land and under the oceans.

Lithosphere and Climate

Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

• Movement of warm and cold air currents….Convection currents.

Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

• Air at the equator heats up, becomes less dense and rises.Creating low pressure underneath.

Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

• Warm air spreads out towards the poles and cools down.Cool air sinks back to Earth’s surface.

Creating a circular convection current.

Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

Air flows from high to low pressure → causes air currents which we recognize as wind.

Typical patterns become prevailing winds which help move warm air to the poles.

VocabularyHeat Sinks

HydrosphereLithosphere

Thermohaline Circulation

HomeworkPg. 335 # 1, 4 - 6

347 # 1 – 7.