Energy & Temperature
Physical Geography
Circle of Illumination
Line dividing dark & light hemispheres of the earth
Perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic
Affects daylength
Types of Rays
Direct Rays
Oblique / Diffused
Solar Energy
Electromagnetic Waves
Insolation
Solar Radiation Received
Uneven Distribution on Earth
Varies With Seasons
Shifts N in Summer*
Shifts S in Winter*
*Our summer & winter
Electromagnetic Energy
All Objects Emit Electromagnetic Energy
Warmer = Short wavelength (SW)
Cooler = Longer wavelength (LW)
Radiation
The Emission of Electromagnetic Energy
Not the same as Nuclear Radiation
Sun radiates shortwave
Earth radiates longwave
Absorption
Energy assimilated into object
Conversion from one form of energy to another.
Temperature of object is raised in process (Heating Process)
Reflection
Energy not absorbed by object
Albedo
High= Reflective
Low = Absorption
Albedo & Vegetation
Scattering
Redirection of Wavelengths due to Atmosphere
Blue WL most readily Scattered
Transmission
Rate varies with different material (including atmospheric gasses)
Glass allows SW through but blocks LW
Traps Heat
The Greenhouse Effect
Atmosphere allows SW through but blocks LW
The Earth’s Energy Budget/Balance
All must balance or will heat or cool
Impacts of Global Warming
Sea Level Increase
Climate Variability
Increased Energy Consumption
Water Shortages
Changing Plant & Animal Ranges
Speed of Change
Agricultural Productivity
Temperature
Heat
Temperature
Fahrenheit
Celsius
Kelvin
Temperature Controls
Altitude
Latitude
Clouds
Local Topography
Land-Water Contrasts
Altitude
Temp Decrease with Increasing Altitude
NOT Same as Rising Air
Temperature Decreases 3.5ºF/1000’ Normal Lapse Rate
Altitude: Temperature Inversion
Not what you expect with Altitude
Cool Air Below Warm Air
Inversion Layer
Smog in LA
Strong Inversion Layer Possible
Altitude: Surface Inversion
Cool Clear Nights
Earth Radiates Away Heat at Night
Latitude
Maximum Heating near Equator
Less Insolation at Poles
Differences in Day lengths
Decrease in Temperature away from Equator
Increase in Seasonality away from Equator
Clouds
Can keep an area cool or warm
Trap Heat at Night or Block Incoming Insolation in Day
Topography
Local Features
Catch-all descriptor
Land/Water Differences
Land Heats and Cools Faster than Water
Oceans Moderate Temperatures
Continental Locations Have Greater Temperature Variation
Coastal vs. Continental
Ocean Currents
Slow Temp Change Allows Re-distribution of Energy (high specific heat of H20)
Isotherms
Connect areas of same temperature
Global Annual Temperature Range
Thermal Equator
Urban Heat Island
Cities are warmer than Surroundings
Lack of Mixing
Greater Absorption/Less Evaporation
Waste Heat