Review of Atmosphere and Geochemical Cycles

Air•Has mass and volume

Composition

• Nitrogen – inert• Oxygen – reactive• Others are CO2 and H2O

Gravity, Density and Atmospheric Pressure

Modes of Heat Transfer

• Radiation-heat energy in transit as electromagnetic radiation• Convection-involves fluid currents that carry heat from one

place to another• Conduction-energy is transferred from a high temperature

region to low temperature region due to random molecular motion (diffusion)

Radiant Energy

• Electromagnetic energy that travels in transverse waves. Radiant energy includes visible light, x-rays, gamma rays and radio waves. Light is one type of radiant energy. Sunshine is radiant energy, which provides the fuel and warmth that make life on Earth possible.

Greenhouse Effect

Know these terms?• Transpiration• Inception• infiltration

Know these terms?• Precipitation• Evaporation• seepage• Condensation

Water Cycle