Energy Transfer Within the Climate System

• earth is unevenly heated
• why does the climate system transmit radiation?

  to help regulate temperature by moving radiation from high to low places of radiation
• As the sun shines at the equator, the air heats up and becomes less dense. This causes the air to rise. The rising air is an area of low pressure. Meanwhile, cooler, denser air at the surface moves to take the place left by the warmer air.
• When warm air reaches the troposphere, it cools and moves out of the way for more warm air to rise. The now cold air floats towards to the poles and falls, creating another high pressure area.
• What is a convection current?

  the movement of warm and cold air/ thermal energy
• how does air tend to flow?

  from high to low pressure areas (this causes wind)
• how does wind travel?

  around the globe instead of north and south
• what are some of the atmospheric conditions caused by prevailing winds?

  if the winds pass over water before land, there is a higher chance of precipitation. if the winds pass over a polar area, it will dry out the area and cool it down
• where do large deserts tend to form?

  where there is high pressure from convection currents
• what is thermohaline circulation?

  when the salt is rejected from water and warmer water comes and fills its place
• what effects do ocean currents have on climate?

  warm ocean currents provide the lands around it with warm, damp climates while cold ocean currents provide cold, dry climates