Energy in Earths Atmosphere

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Electromagnetic Radiation Noun

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[uh-lek-troh-mag-net-ik ray-dee-ay-shun]

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Electromagnetic Radiation

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Energy that travels in waves across space, including ultraviolet and visible light, representing the primary source of Earth's energy.

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Example: This diagram shows that electromagnetic radiation is a range of energy waves, from low-energy radio waves to high-energy gamma rays, including visible light.

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Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation Noun

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[uhl-truh-vahy-uh-lit ray-dee-ay-shun]

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Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation

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A type of high-energy electromagnetic wave from the Sun that is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer in the stratosphere.

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Example: This diagram shows that Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun comes in different types that are filtered differently by Earth's protective ozone layer.

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Infrared (IR) Radiation Noun

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[in-fruh-red ray-dee-ay-shun]

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Infrared (IR) Radiation

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An electromagnetic wave with longer wavelengths perceived as heat, which is emitted by Earth's surface after it has been warmed.

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Example: This thermal image shows the heat (infrared radiation) left behind by a hand, with warmer areas appearing as red and yellow.

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Troposphere Noun

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[troh-puh-sfeer]

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Troposphere

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The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface to about 12 km, where weather occurs and air is densest.

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Example: This image shows the Troposphere as the lowest layer of the atmosphere, where we live and where weather, like clouds, occurs.

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Stratosphere Noun

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[strat-uh-sfeer]

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Stratosphere

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The atmospheric layer above the troposphere that contains the ozone layer, which absorbs most of the Sun's harmful UV radiation.

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Example: This diagram shows the Stratosphere as the second layer of the atmosphere, located above the Troposphere and below the Mesosphere, where weather balloons fly.

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Ozone Noun

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[oh-zohn]

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Ozone

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A molecule in the stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's incoming ultraviolet (UV) radiation, thereby protecting life on Earth.

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Example: This image shows how the ozone layer in Earth's atmosphere acts like a shield, blocking most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

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Albedo Noun

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[al-bee-doh]

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Albedo

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The percentage of incoming solar energy that is reflected back to space by bright surfaces like clouds, ice, and snow.

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Example: A white surface reflects most light (high albedo), while a black surface absorbs most light (low albedo), demonstrating how different surfaces reflect energy.

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Absorption Noun

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[ab-sorp-shun]

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Absorption

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The process by which matter, such as atmospheric gases or Earth's surface, takes in solar energy and converts it to heat.

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Example: Light waves from the sun hit the ground and are taken in, or absorbed, by the material, turning into heat energy.

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Radiation Noun

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[ray-dee-ay-shun]

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Radiation

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The transfer of heat energy through space via electromagnetic waves, such as energy traveling from the Sun to the Earth.

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Example: The sun sends energy to Earth through space as radiation, shown by the wavy lines with arrows.

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Conduction Noun

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[kun-duhk-shun]

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Conduction

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The transfer of heat through direct molecular contact, which primarily occurs in the thin layer of air touching the ground.

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Example: Heat energy flows from the hot object to the cold object through the connecting medium, demonstrating the principle of conduction.