Insolation, Temperature, Atmospheric Pressure & Wind

Insolation, temperature, atmospheric, and wind are all interconnected in manner that helps makeup the defining forces within the atmosphere that also implicates Earth's surface factors. We will have a little bit of a heavier workload this week as two assignments are Weekly Assignment 2: Temperature Variation and Discussion 4: Wind. Please refer to this week's mini-lectures from chapter's 4-5 of McKnight's textbook and Units 6-7 from the OER textbook to provide context for the topics that will be covered this week. Also, a study guide is provided in this module to help prepare you for our first Landscape Quiz that is coming up next week. Take some time and review the study guide provided and familiarize yourself with identifying some of the landscape features and natural processes associated with Earth's landscape.

Questions to consider in framing understandings for Insolation, Temperature, Atmospheric Pressure & Wind:

How does energy from the Sun warm the atmosphere?
Why are temperatures near the equator so different than at the poles?
Why do continents experience greater temperature extremes than oceans?
How is energy transferred around the world by the atmosphere and ocean currents?
What factors explain global patterns of temperature?
How has recent human activity changed global temperatures?
How are areas of high & low atmospheric pressure produced?
What determines the direction in which wind blows?
What are the global patterns of wind & pressure, and how do they work?
What are monsoons, and how do they form?

Key Terms & Concepts to Remember

Temperature - description of the average kinetic energy of molecules in a substance. More movement/vibrations of kinetic energy means higher temperature.
Heat - energy that transfers from one object or substance to another because of a difference in temperature.
Electromagnetic radiation - type of energy the sun gives off that is streams of ionized particles known as solar wind.
Electromagnetic spectrum - classification of wavelengths from short to long waves.
- Visible light - human eye sensitive to narrow band of radiation (0.4-0.7 micrometers), 47% of total solar energy.
- Ultraviolet radiation - wavelengths shorter than the human eye can sense (0.1-0.4 micrometers).
- Infrared radiation - wavelengths longer than human eye can sense (0.7-1000 micrometers), 45% of solar energy is short infrared radiation.
Shortwave radiation - grouping of visible light, ultraviolet and short infrared.
Longwave radiation - radiation emitted by Earth. The thermal infrared portion of the spectrum.
Insolation - incoming solar radiation received at the top of the atmosphere.
Transmission - solar radiation that is neither absorbed nor reflected, may pass through a surface or object (glass through a window in a car for example).
Greenhouse effect - number of gases in atmosphere that transmit incoming shortwave radiation from the sun, but does not easily transmit outgoing longwave radiation.
- Most "important" forms - water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane.
Conduction - transfer of heat from one molecule to another without changes in their relative positions.
Convection - energy transferred from one point by vertical circulation of a fluid, such as air or water.
Advection - occurs when the dominant direction of energy transfer in a moving fluid is horizontal.
Latent heat - exchange of energy in different phases, liquid water to water vapor, and so on.
Evaporation - liquid water is converted to gaseous water vapor.
Condensation - water vapor converted to liquid water.
Warming and cooling processes
- Adiabatic cooling warming - ascending or descending air that causes temperature changes.
- Expansion-adiabatic cooling - rising air cools even though no energy is lost shown with a reduction in kinetic energy.
- compression-adiabatic warming - air descends and becomes warmer, then causes compression and increasing pressure.
Pressure gradient force - if one area has higher pressure than another, air moves to lower region.
Friction - resistance upon Earth's surface that slows wind movement.
Anticyclone four patterns
- Upper atmosphere of Northern Hemisphere (wind moves clockwise).
- Friction layer Northern Hemisphere (lower altitudes), divergent clockwise flow that spirals away from center of anticyclone.
- Upper atmosphere of Southern Hemisphere (wind moves counterclockwise).
- Friction layer Southern Hemisphere (lower altitudes), divergent counterclockwise flow that spirals away from center of anticyclone.
Hadley cells - low latitude cells north and south of the equator that have gigantic convection systems as high pressure builds/bulge around around the equator bringing thunderstorms.
Seven components of general circulations (map images highlights where).
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
- Northeast & southeast trade winds merge in equatorial vicinity.
- Zone where air from the Northern and Southern Hemisphere meet.
- warm surface conditions with low pressure and high rainfall.
Antitrade winds - after equatorial air rise in the ITCZ, high elevation airflow from Hadley cell is deflected by Coriolis Effect.

Terminology source: McKnight's: A Landscape Appreciation, 13th edition

Temperature Variation

The concept of air temperature and the variation of global temperatures in general, expands into several natural processes that come into play regarding how temperature varies day to day, and across the world. Think beyond the entry level information that we are provided about temperature from the daily local news. This assignment with all the supporting resources provided will provide a deeper insight as to how temperature exists, change, and develop based on a plethora of natural processes/factors.

Air Temperature Influences

Wind Patterns

For this week's discussion, you all will have the opportunity to look at real-time interactive 3D image of Earth's landscape (provided by NASA) to help you observe and interpret global wind patterns. This should be a fun and insightful discussion, because you will be able to apply what you have learned and observed from this week's materials to the discussion topic provided.

Wind Patterns from Warm to Cold Air, Cold to Warm Air

Reminder: Please attention to the instructions provided for this week's assignments and do your very best. Also, be mindful of the fast approaching deadline set to submit your work and give yourself enough time to submit quality coursework. Late work or submissions will not be accepted.