Mr. Ruark’s Earth Science

Thought of the Day- What does solar energy do on Earth?

Daily Objective(s):We will determine the effects of solar energy in Earth’s atmosphere. Day

26

Please answer the following questions using your book. Look at Figure 1 on page 36 to help.

1. What is the electromagnetic spectrum?2. Look at Figure 1. Which words on that colorful spectrum have you heard of or used before?3. Invisible light is in between what 2 other types of radiation?

Unit 1: Meteorology

Cool Down

•What 3 types of electromagnetic waves get blocked by the atmosphere?

Solar EnergyThe Effects on Earth’s Atmosphere

Unit 1: Meteorology

Chapter 19.2

Sun’s Radiation

• Atmosphere is heated by solar energy.

• Absorbed by gases in atmosphere and the land and ocean surfaces.

• Energy is given off as heat.

Radiation

• Energy travels from Sun to Earth as radiation.

• Radiation- all the frequencies or wavelengths

of electromagnetic spectrum

• Travels as waves

• Visible light is an example- it is radiation that our eyes can detect

• Other forms are: Radio, Microwaves, Infrared, Visible Light, Ultraviolet, X-Rays and Gamma Rays.

Radiation

• Travels at a very high speed (300,000 km/s)

• Types of radiation differ on the length

from crest to crest

• Called wavelength

• Longer waves- Radio, Microwave, Infrared• (Visible Light)

• Shorter waves- Ultraviolet, X Rays, Gamma Rays

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Atmosphere and Solar Radiation• Solar radiation passes through the atmosphere in several

ways.

• Upper atmosphere absorbs almost all shorter

wave radiation (Thankfully!)

• If this did not occur, life as we know it would not exist!

• Think of the worst sunburn and it would be

much, much worse.

• BLOCKED RAYS: Gamma Rays, X-Rays,

Ultraviolet Rays

Visual:

Atmosphere and Solar Radiation

• Most solar rays that reach the lower atmosphere as:

• Radio waves, Infrared, visible light

• Have you ever seen the fuzzy/snowy

background noise on a radio with no station?

• How about the snowy background of a TV with no station on?

• You are actually seeing and hearing the Sun’s radio waves!

Scattering- What Makes the Sky Blue?

• What disrupts solar radiation and causes scattering?• Clouds

• Dust

• Water Droplets

• Gas Molecules

• Scattering makes the sky blue in the day and multi-colored at sunrise/sunset!

Example of Scattering

Reflection

• Solar Energy is either reflected or absorbed by the surface.

• Depends on factors such as color- white reflects more than black!

• Albedo- the fraction of solar radiation that is reflected off the surface of an object.• Example: You can see the moon. It does not give off its own light,

rather, it is like a mirror and reflects light to your eyes. This is albedo!

Absorption and Infrared Energy

• Infrared is detected by us as heat.

• Snakes and other animals can actually see heat- we can detect it through touch.

• Absorption of radiation heats the lower atmosphere and creates that “warm blanket” of air that allows us not to freeze/boil.

Mirages• A mirage is when warm air bends light waves. Have you

seen these? Where?