ENV110_M1 Exploration Worksheet
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Feb 20, 2024
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ENV 1010: Natural Disasters
M1 Exploration Worksheet
M1 Exploration: Energy - The Driver of Climate Change
A.
What is the
first law of thermodynamics (or the law of conservation of energy)? How is this law applicable to the Earth’s energy balance?
The first law of thermodynamics is a law of conservation of energy that states that energy
cannot be created or destroyed but can be transferred from one system to another in many
different forms. The law also states that any energy that is lost can be gained in another process equal to that same amount. Earths energy balance is applicable to this law because incoming energy from the sun and outgoing energy from the earth keeps our climate/ global temperature at the average range in order to sustain life.
B.
Generally, what happens to the energy from the sun (incoming solar radiation) once it passes into the Earth’s atmosphere? (You do not need to include the units.)
When incoming solar radiation passes into earth’s atmosphere, some of that radiation is either reflected back into space or scattered by Earth’s surface. The units that are scattered are usually scattered by air, water, vapor, etc. Some of this solar radiation is also absorbed by the clouds and the shorter wavelength solar radiation is absorbed by the land and by water.
C. In the reading, you learned that out of the 51 units of solar radiation, 21 units are available to be emitted as outgoing radiation.
Explain why the earth radiates 117 units, not 21 units, and why Earth’s temperature isn’t so much colder.
Earth usually radiates 117 units away from the surface and not 21 units because Earth receives all its solar radiation during daylight only and emits infrared radiation during both daylight and night. The reason why Earths temperature is not much colder is because of a process known as the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect takes place when 96 units of infrared radiation is emitted back from the atmosphere to earths surface.
ENV 1010: Natural Disasters
M1 Exploration Worksheet
D. What do you think would happen to the Earth’s energy balance if the concentration of greenhouse gases increases? Explain.
If the concentration of greenhouse gases increases, then that would lead to more infrared radiation being absorbed and emitted into earth leading to a greater greenhouse effect. Even the smallest change in greenhouse gases would alter the balance and temperatures would rise.
E. How does the Coriolis effect alter hurricane and tropical cyclone patterns?
The Coriolis effect causes all objects above earth’s surface to deflect to the right of their path in the northern hemisphere and left of their path in the southern hemisphere. This makes the hurricanes spin counterclockwise in the Northern hemisphere and clockwise in
the Southern.
F.
Explain how and why the weather patterns differ in the following locations:
Poles
The poles have a high-pressure system and is always cold and dry. The poles do not experience much rain or humidity which leads to the air being so dry. The pole also experiences less sunlight and air that does can not go any further travels north and south towards the poles and causes air to become denser which is why the poles weather is not as it would be in the equator.
Temperate Zone
The temperature zone is fairly warm all year round.
Equator
The Equator has a low-pressure system and is always warm and wet. The equator also
experiences high humidity and faces the sun all year round meaning the equator receives more solar radiation as opposed to the poles. This being why it is warmer here than in the poles.
ENV 1010: Natural Disasters
M1 Exploration Worksheet
G. Predict how an increase in global temperatures by 2 degrees could cause a change in weather patterns at the different circulation zones.
If global temperatures were to increase by 2 degrees, I believe that the weather patterns would cause ice to melt in the poles, extreme heat near the tropical zones and equator (heatwaves), more droughts, and more. It’s very scary when you think of all the possible things that could happen if earths temperatures were to continue to rise.
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