SNC2P-Earth’s Dynamic Climate
NAME: _________________________________
Date: _______________
Key Concepts:
 Earth’s oceans and lakes absorb and store more thermal energy than
the atmosphere does.
 Convection currents in the atmosphere and hydrosphere
distribute thermal energy over Earth’s surface.
 Air currents and ocean currents transfer thermal energy from the
equator to the poles.
 Thermohaline circulation acts like a giant conveyor belt in the
ocean, slowly transferring thermal energy from the equator to the poles and
mixing water in the world’s oceans in process.
Storing Thermal Energy
What parts of the Earth absorbs and stores energy?
Large bodies of water (oceans) and atmosphere
Why is water the most effective heat sink?
Because it has a greater capacity to store thermal energy
Transferring Thermal Energy
How does thermal energy transfer from one place to another?
It always moves from an object or region that is warmer to cooler.
What are the three different ways of thermal energy transfer?
1. Radiation – in the form of electromagnetic waves
2. Conduction – through direct contact
3. Convection – within fluids (liquids or gases)
How does energy in both air and water get transferred?
By winds (air) and by ocean currents (water)
SNC2P-Earth’s Dynamic Climate
What cause the Earth’s climate zones?
Thermal energy transfer
What is convection current?
When a fluid (water or air), is heated unevenly, a current forms. The cooler,
denser fluid falls, and pushes the warmer, less dense fluid up,
creating a circular pattern of movement.
wind (air)
Wind (air)
Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere
What is the main method of energy transfer in the atmosphere?
Convection currents
Energy in the atmosphere is transported from where to where?
From equator toward the poles
Explain how a convection current forms in the atmosphere.
The amount of thermal energy absorbed by the air is unevenly distributed.
At low latitudes (equator), the Sun’s energy is more intense. Air at
equator heats up and becomes less dense. Colder, denser air above it drops,
pushing the warm air up to the atmosphere. Warm air spread out toward
the poles and cools down. Cooler air sinks back to Earth’s surface. The
movement of warm and cool air creates convection currents in the atmosphere.
What is a prevailing wind?
The surface winds that result from convection currents
SNC2P-Earth’s Dynamic Climate
Energy Transfer in the Oceans
What are the three factors that cause ocean currents?
 Prevailing winds
 Convection
 Uneven concentration of salts in ocean water
How does prevailing winds affect the ocean currents?
Prevailing winds create surface ocean currents that move warm water
How does convection and uneven concentration of salts affect the
ocean currents?
Convection and uneven concentration of salts create deep ocean currents
that move cold, salty water, from deep in the ocean to the warmer, less
salty ocean surface.
What is thermohaline circulation?
The continuous movement of water within oceans because of differences in
water temperature and salinity
How does thermohaline circulation transfer thermal energy?
Thermohaline circulation acts like a giant conveyor belt, moving thermal
energy and water from the equator to the poles. As the warm surface
moves toward the poles, it gets colder and saltier as surface water
evaporates. This cold, salty water is denser and sinks to the ocean floor.
Warm surface water from the equator then flows toward the poles to takes its place.
How do oceans have a strong influence on climate zones?
 Cold ocean currents cool the air above them, and do not release
moisture into the air. when the cool air reaches land it will have a cooling
effect.
 Warm ocean currents heat the air above them. When this warm,
moist air reaches land it warms the land and bring rain.
 When the cool, dry air meets the warm, moist air, foggiest conditions results.
SNC2P-Earth’s Dynamic Climate