studies in earth/sun relationships are really studies in energy

Studies in Earth/Sun relationships are really studies in Energy.

What is the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics? It is observed that a higher temperature object which is in contact

with a lower temperature object will transfer heat to the lower temperature object. The objects will approach the same temperature, and in the absence of loss to other objects, they will then maintain a

constant temperature. They are then said to be in thermal equilibrium. Thermal equilibrium is the subject of the Zeroth Law of

Thermodynamics.

–Zeroth law of thermodynamics–

Another way to say it, is that energy moves

from areas of high energy to areas of low energy; that is, hot to cold. Energy transfer

is always in this direction.

How does the Earth distribute or redistribute this equatorial surplus of energy?

Atmospheric Circulation

How does the Earth distribute or redistribute this equatorial surplus of energy?

Atmospheric Circulation

How does the Earth distribute or redistribute this equatorial surplus of energy?

Wind blows from areas

high pressure to low

pressure

Not to be confused with high to low

energy transfer. This is not hot to cold.

Prevailing windCoriolis Force

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wda7azMvabE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt_XJp77-mk

–Zeroth law of thermodynamics–

Another way to say it, is that energy moves

from areas of high energy to areas of low energy; that is, hot to cold. Energy transfer

is always in this direction.

How does the Earth distribute or redistribute this equatorial surplus of energy?

How does the Earth distribute or redistribute this equatorial surplus of energy?

How do these global systems such as wind and ocean currents affect our weather and climate?

How do these global systems such as wind and ocean currents affect our weather and climate?

Weather:The instantaneous state of

the atmosphere

Climate:The aggregate state of the

atmosphere

-climate is what you expect, weather is what you get-

Characteristics of rising and settling air masses.

As a mass of air rises, it expands and

cools.

Cool air has a lower capacity to hold

moisture than warm air of the same

volume.

What can cause air to rise?

If rising air cools, leading to precipitation; the reverse is also true.

Settling air warms and dries.

Relative humidity goes

down

Relative humidity goes

up

About where do we find most of

the worlds deserts?

El Nino/La Nina

El Nino; characterized by weak Trades , warm SST, weak

Monsoon.

La Nina; characterized by strong Trades

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FVZrw7bk1w

The Plane of the Ecliptic