Objective 2: Relate energy sources and transformation to the effects on Earth systems.

1. Describe the effect of solar energy on the determination of weather. 2. Explain how uneven heating at the equator and polar regions creates atmospheric currents that move heat energy around Earth.

The following are covered from the Utah State core in this lesson:

3. Describe the Coriolis effect and its role in global wind patterns.

4. Relate how weather patterns are the result of interactions among air currents, and topography.

Wind is air moving from areas of high pressure to areas of

low pressure.

Wind is caused by uneven heating of Earth and its

atmosphere.

Identify the areas that have warm and cold air.

Which area has the most dense air?

Cold Air

Warm Air

Cold Air

Warm AirDense Air Less Dense Air

Which sides have high and low air pressures?

Cold Air

Warm AirDense Air Less Dense Air

High Air Pressure Low Air Pressure

What is the rule for atmospheric pressure reaching equilibrium?

Cold Air

Warm AirDense Air Less Dense Air

High Air Pressure Low Air Pressure

Which way will the air molecules begin to move?

Cold Air

Warm AirDense Air Less Dense Air

High Air Pressure Low Air Pressure

When will the air movement stop?

The atmosphere is now at equlibrium.

Cold Air

Warm AirDense Air Less Dense Air

High Air Pressure Low Air Pressure

The movement of air is called ____?

wind

A

B

C

Which area receives

direct sunlight (A,

B, or C)?The poles The poles always always receive receive indirect indirect sunlightsunlight

(light hits at (light hits at an angle).an angle).The equator The equator

always always receives receives

direct direct sunlight.sunlight.

Cold Cold AirAir

Cold AirCold Air

Warm AirWarm Air Warm Warm AirAir

ConvectiConvection on

CurrentCurrent

ConvectiConvection on

CurrentCurrent

Convection Convection CurrentCurrent

ConvectioConvection Currentn Current

Coriolis Effect:Coriolis Effect:Winds, and Winds, and weather patterns weather patterns curve due to curve due to Earth’s rotation.Earth’s rotation.

WIND DIRECTIONWIND DIRECTIONLPLP HPHP

CONVECTION CURRENT

CONVECTION CURRENT

SEA BREEZESEA BREEZE

DAYTIMEDAYTIME

LAND BREEZE

CONVECTION CURRENTCONVECTION CURRENT

CONVECTION CURRENTCONVECTION CURRENT

HPHP LPLPWIND DIRECTIONWIND DIRECTION

NIGHTTIMENIGHTTIME

Warm air rises Warm air rises upslope during the upslope during the

daytime.daytime.

Cool air sinks Cool air sinks down-slope during down-slope during

the night-time.the night-time.

From what you have just learned about wind in valleys, where should these firefighters

approach the fire and why?

When land is intensely hot, the wet monsoon winds blow from the ocean

onto the land bringing rain.

When the sun is no longer shining directly over the land, the air above the ocean has a lower air pressure. Dry winds flow from the

land out over the ocean, bringing the dry season.