Water and Energy in the Atmosphere

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Earth's Radiative Energy Budget Noun

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[urths ray-dee-uh-tiv en-er-jee buj-it]

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Earth's Radiative Energy Budget

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The balance between incoming solar energy absorbed by Earth and the amount of thermal energy radiated back into space.

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Example: This diagram shows how Earth's temperature is balanced: incoming solar energy (red arrows) is absorbed or reflected, while outgoing heat energy (green arrows) radiates back to space.

Front

Solar Radiation Noun

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[soh-ler ray-dee-ay-shun]

Back

Solar Radiation

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Energy emitted from the sun, primarily as visible light, that travels through space to reach Earth's atmosphere and surface.

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Example: The Sun sends out energy in the form of radiation, which travels through space and warms the Earth, providing the energy for atmospheric processes.

Front

Electromagnetic Radiation Noun

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

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Electromagnetic Radiation

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A form of energy that travels in waves, including visible light, ultraviolet light, and infrared radiation.

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Example: This diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum, a range of energy waves from high-energy gamma rays to low-energy radio waves, including the visible light we see.

Front

Infrared Radiation Noun

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

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Infrared Radiation

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Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light, which is emitted by warm objects and often perceived as heat.

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Example: This diagram shows that infrared radiation is a type of light with a longer wavelength than the red light our eyes can see.

Front

Latent Heat Noun

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[ley-tnt heet]

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Latent Heat

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The energy absorbed or released by a substance during a change in its physical state that occurs without changing temperature.

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Example: This graph shows that during a phase change, like melting or boiling, heat energy is added but the temperature stays constant. This 'hidden' energy is latent heat.

Front

Greenhouse Effect Noun

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[green-hous ih-fekt]

Back

Greenhouse Effect

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The atmospheric process where certain gases trap heat reradiated from Earth's surface, leading to a warming of the planet.

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Example: Solar radiation from the sun warms the Earth, and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap some of this heat, keeping the planet warm.

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Troposphere Noun

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[troh-poh-sfeer]

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Troposphere

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The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface up, where most weather phenomena and clouds exist.

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Example: This diagram shows the Troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, located just above the ground, where all weather 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, which contains the ozone layer and experiences a temperature increase with increasing altitude.

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Example: This diagram shows the stratosphere as the second layer of the atmosphere, located above the troposphere, with its specific altitude and temperature range.

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Ozone Noun

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[oh-zohn]

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Ozone

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A molecule composed of three oxygen atoms (O3) that forms a layer in the stratosphere, absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation.

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Example: The ozone layer in the atmosphere acts like a shield, blocking most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching Earth's surface.

Front

Thermosphere Noun

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[thur-moh-sfeer]

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Thermosphere

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The atmospheric layer above the mesosphere where temperatures are extremely high and aurorae occur due to absorption of solar radiation.

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Example: The Thermosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere located above the Mesosphere, where the International Space Station orbits and auroras occur due to solar energy.