Chapter 2
Solar Energy, Seasons,
and the Atmosphere
Elemental Geosystems 5e
Robert W. Christopherson
Charles E. Thomsen
Solar Energy, Seasons,
and the Atmosphere
The Solar System, Sun, and Earth
Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth
The Seasons
Atmospheric Composition, Temperature
and Function
Variable Atmospheric Components
The Solar System, Sun,
and Earth
Dimensions and Distances, and Earth’s orbit
Milky Way Galaxy
Figure 2.1
Our Solar System
Figure 2.1
Solar Energy: From Sun
to Earth
Solar wind
Electromagnetic Spectrum of Radiant
Energy
Incoming Energy at the Top of the
Atmosphere
Solar constant
Uneven distribution of insolation
Global net radiation
Solar Activity and Solar Wind
Solar wind is clouds of electrically charged
particles
Sunspots are caused by magnetic storms
Sunspots have activity cycle of 11 years
Figure 2.2
Aurora Borealis
Figure 2.4
Wavelength and Frequency
Figure 2.5
The Electromagnetic
Spectrum
Figure 2.6
Solar and
Terrestrial
Energy
Figure 2.7
Earth’s Energy Budget
Figure 2.8
Figure 2.9
Daily Net Radiation
Figure 2.10
The Seasons
Seasonality
Reasons for Seasons
Revolution
Rotation
Tilt of Earth’s axis
Axial parallelism
Annual March of the Seasons
Seasonal observations
Revolution and Rotation
Figure 2.11
Earth’s Axial Tilt
Figure 2.12
Annual March of the Seasons
Figure 2.13
Midnight Sun
Figure 2.14
Seasonal Observations
Figure 2.15
Atmospheric Composition,
Temperature, and Function
Atmospheric Profile
Atmospheric Composition Criterion
Atmospheric Temperature Criterion
Atmospheric Function Criterion
Profile of
Atmosphere
Figure 2.17
Atmospheric
Pressure
Figure 2.18
Atmospheric Composition
Heterosphere – Outer Atmosphere
80 km (50 mi) outwards, to thermosphere
Layers of gases sorted by gravity
Homosphere – Inner Atmosphere
Surface to 80 km (50 mi)
Gases evenly blended
Composition
of the
Homosphere
Figure 2.19
Atmospheric Temperature Criterion
Thermosphere
80 km (50 mi) outwards
Mesosphere
50 to 80 km (30 to 50 mi)
Stratosphere
18 to 50 km (11 to 31 mi)
Troposphere
Surface to 18 km (11 mi)
Temperature
Profile
Figure 2.20
Atmospheric Function
Ionosphere
Absorbs cosmic rays, gamma rays, X-rays,
some UV rays
Ozonosphere
Part of stratosphere
Ozone (O3) absorbs UV energy and converts it
to heat energy
Protective
Atmosphere
Figure 2.21
Antarctic
Ozone
Hole
Figure FS 2.1.1
ClO and O3
Figure FS 2.1.2
Variable Atmospheric Components
Natural Sources
Natural Factors That Affect Air Pollution
Anthropogenic Pollution
Benefits of the Clean Air Act
Natural Factors That Affect
Air Pollution
Winds
Local and Regional Landscapes
Temperature Inversion
Wildfires
Figure 2.22
Temperature Inversion
Figure 2.24
Anthropogenic Pollution
Photochemical Smog Pollution
Industrial Smog and Sulfur Oxides
Particulates
Air Pollution
Figure 2.25
Photochemical Smog
Figure 2.26
Benefits of the Clean Air Act
Total direct cost $523 billion
Direct monetized benefits $5.6 to $49.4
trillion – average $22.2 trillion
Net financial benefit $21.7 trillion
206,000 fewer deaths in 1990!
End of Chapter 2
Elemental Geosystems 5e
Robert W. Christopherson
Charles E. Thomsen