Energy and Radiation

Getting Ready for Chapter 4
Energy and Radiation

Chapter 3 gave us an introduction to the structure and composition of the atmosphere, the gaseous envelope that supports life as we know it. We've found that some gases act to absorb heat released from the surface, creating a greenhouse environment and making earth habitable. But the concentration of greenhouse gases is on the rise, and human activities are responsible for much of it. Other gases shield the earth from receiving too much ultra-violet light. Their concentrations have been affected by human activities as well.

Sunset over the Pacific

Courtesy Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center.
"The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth.
Source: https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/scripts/sseop/photo.pl?mission=ISS015&roll=E&frame=10469

Ahead in Chapter 4, Energy and Radiation, we'll examine the sources of heat that not only warm the atmosphere, but drive most of the environmental processes acting at the surface of the earth. We'll gain insight into how exogenic sources of energy ultimately heat the air, change the state of water, and warm the surface of the earth. Using these new insights, we'll be able to explain the geographical variation of radiation and energy. A peek into future changes in the earth's heat balance as a result of human-induced climate change will conclude the chapter.

What you should already know ...

The content of Chapter 4 Energy and Radiation is some of the most important material for understanding the functioning of the earth system. Chapter 4 delves into the nature of energy and heat. Much of the chapter discusses energy received from the Sun, the ultimate source of energy to drive most environmental processes acting at the surface of the Earth. The knowledge gained in this chapter will serves as the foundation for understanding the geography of temperature, phase changes of water, circulation of the air, and much more.

Before beginning you should be comfortable with the material covered in Chapter 2 The Earth System. Have a good understanding of the Earth in space, and how the orientation, rotation, and revolution of the Earth around the Sun affects sunlight reaching the earth system.

Quiz

1. The Earth is closest to the Sun in

January
March
September
July

2. The Earth's axis of rotation is tilted

23.5 degrees from perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic
66.5 degrees from perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic
0 degrees from perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic
90 from perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic

3. The subsolar point on June 21st is

23.5 degrees north latitude
0 degrees (the equator)
23.5 degrees south latitude
66.5 degrees north latitude.

4. There is 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night

on June 21
on December 22
every day of the year at the equator
none of the above.

5. Tangent rays

strike the north and south poles on the solstices
strike the equator only on the solstice.
strike the north and south poles on the equinox
only strike the earth on the solstice

6. 24 hours

of daylight occurs at the South Pole on June 21
of daylight occurs at the South Pole on March 21
of darkness occurs at the South Pole on June 21
of darkness does not occur anywhere

7. The subtropical latitude zone is located

10 degrees N - 10 degrees S
10 degrees - 25 degrees N and S latitude
25 degrees - 35 degrees N and S latitude
35 degrees - 55 degrees N  and S latitude

8. Most greenhouse gases

are good absorbers of solar radiation
are good absorbers of radiation emitted by the Earth
are known as "uniform absorbers"
are all the above

9. The largest sources of particulates entering the atmosphere is from

salt from sea spray and bursting bubbles.
windblown dust
volcanoes
biomass burning

10. Solar radiation is considered

an exogenic source of energy
an endogenic source of energy
an adiabatic source of energy
a diabatic source of energy

Score =
Correct answers:

About your score ....

If you scored 80% or above, Great! ... start reading the chapter.

If you scored 70% to 80% you should consider reviewing the previous material.

If you scored less than 70% you should consider reviewing the previous material and seeking help from your instructor.

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