Heating of the Atmosphere What is Thermal Energy

Heating of the Atmosphere

What is Thermal Energy? n n Thermal means “heat. ” Thermal energy is the heat made when molecules move. The faster molecules move, the higher the temperature.

Radiation n n is the transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves The earth receives only about twobillionths of these waves

n n n Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy from one material to another by direct contact Thermal energy always moves from warm to cold areas When air molecules come into direct contact with a warm surface, thermal energy is transferred to the atmosphere

Convection n n Convection is the transfer of thermal energy by the circulation or movement of a liquid or gas As the cool air sinks it pushes the warm air up The cool air is eventually heated by the ground again begins to rise This continual process of warm air rising and cool air sinking creates a circular movement of air called a convection current

Conduction, Convection, and Radiation Video n https: //www. wisc-online. com/learn/natural -science/earth-science/sce 304/heattransfer--conduction--convection--radiation

The Greenhouse Effect n The green house effect is the heating of the Earth caused by gases in the Atmosphere trapping thermal energy.

Greenhouse Effect Video n https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=BPJJ M_h. CFj 0

Global Warming n n Gases in the atmosphere that do trap heat energy are called greenhouse gases. A rise in average global temperatures is called global warming.

Keeping the Earth Livable n n n Some scientists believe that global warming may be a natural process Even so, many countries have signed a treaty to find ways to decrease the production greenhouse gases One of these ways to decrease greenhouse gases is replanting trees when others are cut down Another way to reduce greenhouse gases is to use solar and wind energy which do not produce these gases. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=RMD 88 DNa. Gk