Chapter 15 Section 2Chapter 15 Section 2Heating of the Atmosphere

Energy in the AtmosphereEnergy in the Atmosphere• Radiation is the transfer of energy as

electromagnetic waves• 50% of the sun’s radiation is absorbed by the

Earth’s surface.• 5% of the sun’s radiation is reflected by the

Earth’s surface• 20% of the sun’s radiation is absorbed by

ozone, clouds and atmospheric gas• 25% of the sun’s radiation is scattered and

reflected by clouds and air

Energy in the AtmosphereEnergy in the Atmosphere• Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy

from one material to another by direct contact• Near the Earth’s surface, air is heated by

conduction• Convection is the transfer of thermal energy

by the circulation of movement of a liquid or gas

• Convection currents are caused by the unequal heating of the atmosphere

The Green House EffectThe Green House Effect• The greenhouse effect is the process in

which the gases in the atmosphere trap thermal energy

• Global warming is a rise in the average global temperature

• The balance between incoming energy and outgoing energy is known as the radiation balance