Atmospheric Heating Lab Report-102523(1)
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Dec 6, 2023
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Geology
Name:_____________________________
Atmospheric Heating Lab Report
Lab created by Dr. Selvans, GEOL 9, parts adapted from A. Priewisch and D. Oliver; modified by B.
White
Please complete your responses in a
color other than black or red
.
Part 1: Earth’s Insolation, Tilt, and Seasons
1.
Describe the
general
distribution of heat on the Earth
if it were a cube
. Include sides, top &
bottom. (Hint: general temperatures are:
hot, warm, cold
)
2.
Write a statement that relates the angle of the Sun’s rays to the distribution of heat on a
spherical Earth
. (Be specific – use the temperature terms
hot, warm, cold
)
Part 2: Tilt of the Earth
1.
How many hours of daylight would there be at each of the following latitudes on December
21-22: 90ºN Latitude; 40ºN Latitude; 0º Latitude; 40ºS Latitude; 90ºS Latitude?
90ºN Latitude
0 h
40ºN Latitude
9h, 8min
0º Latitude
12h
40ºS Latitude
14h, 52min
90ºS Latitude
6m0,
2.
Why isn’t daylength the same everywhere on Earth on December 21-22?
The daylength isn’t the same everywhere on Earth on December 21-22 because of the Earth’s
axis being tilted. In the northern hemisphere the earth is tilting farther away from the sun which
leads to shorter days. Where in the Southern Hemisphere is tilting closer to the sun so they have
longer days.
3.
Why isn’t daylength the same in Fresno (or at any one location) every day of the year?
The daylength isn’t the same in Fresno (or at any one location) every day of the year because
it depends on the Earth’s tilted axis and how it moves around the sun.
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Atmospheric Heating Lab Report
4.
Using what you have learned so far explain why the earth has seasons. Be sure to include 2
main reasons for the seasons.
The two main reasons why we have seasons is because of the Earth’s axis tilting. The second
reason is for the way the earth moves and orbits around the sun. When the earth’s axis is
tilting towards the sun it is going to provide more sunlight, longer days, and warmer weather.
Where when the Earth’s axis is titling father way from the sun it is going to provide less sun
light, shorter days, and cooler weather.
Part 3: Greenhouse Gasses
Waves (or Photons)
1.
What path is followed by the waves shown in yellow?
2.
Where do the red waves originate?
3.
In terms of wavelength, what is the difference between the yellow and red waves?
4.
Which waves (red or yellow) represent heat?
5.
Does the Earth emit visible light or heat?
6.
Use the slider on the right side of the screen to adjust the amount of greenhouse gas in the
atmosphere.
a.
What is the effect on the waves you can see visually in the simulation when there are
“lots” of greenhouse gases?
What is the effect on surface temperature?
b.
What is the effect on the waves you can see visually in the simulation when there are
“none?”
What is the effect on surface temperature?
c.
Write a sentence to express the cause and effect relationship between greenhouse gas
concentration and the trapping effect of the atmosphere.
d.
Based on the relationship you observe, do we want a situation on Earth where we
eliminate greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
Why or why not?
2
Atmospheric Heating Lab Report
7.
What is the general relationship between human development and surface temperature?
Why?
TAB 3 – Layer Model
1.
Let the simulation run without any layers in the atmosphere. What is the surface temperature
of the planet?
2.
What would the above situation be analogous to, regarding greenhouse gasses in Earth’s
atmosphere?
3.
Add 1 absorbing layer to the atmosphere. What is the surface temperature of the planet?
4.
Add 2, then 3 layers to the atmosphere. Does the surface temperature rise, fall, or stay the
same with more glass panes?
5.
What happens to surface temperature when the infrared absorbance of the layers is
decreased?
6.
What real-world change in the atmosphere might be represented by variable absorbance?
7.
What is surface albedo?
8.
How does the surface temperature change when albedo is increased?
Why?
9.
Why do people spend more money to install double or triple pane windows in their houses
instead of using single pane windows?
10. The greenhouse effect is so named because certain gasses in the atmosphere act like the glass
panes in a greenhouse. Based on this simulation, explain why your car becomes very hot
inside during a sunny summer day.
3
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Atmospheric Heating Lab Report
Part 4: Effects of Climate Change on the American Southwest
1.
Figure 3
(
on Canvas)
shows the area of the western U.S. (in percent) in moderately to
extremely dry conditions during summer (June-July-August) from 1900 to 2012.
Highlight
the statement that best describes the data:
a) The data varies greatly from year to year and does not show any long-term trend.
b) The data varies little from year to year and does not show any long-term trend.
c) The data varies greatly from year to year and shows a long-term increasing trend.
d) The data varies little from year to year and shows a long-term increasing trend.
e) The data does not vary significantly and does not show any trend.
2.
Which interval in
Figure 3 (on Canvas)
has the most years with a percentage of summer
drought greater than 50%?
a) 1900-1925
b) 1925-1950
c) 1950-1975
d) 1975-2000
e) 2000-today
3.
According to Williams et al. (2010), historical and current drought episodes and recently
elevated temperatures have contributed to the recent increase in widespread fires and bark-
beetle outbreaks in the Southwestern U.S. Using
Figure 4 (on Canvas)
, determine which
landscape had the most significant die-off:
a) Conifer and mixed forest
b) Pinon/juniper woodland
c) Non-forest or hardwood/shrub
4.
Based on
Figure 4 (on Canvas)
, did wildfires or bark beetles induce more mortality?
5.
Study the map in
Figure 5 (on Canvas)
. How would you describe the trends in flood
magnitude for the Southwest, Midwest, and Northeast?
Southwest
4
Atmospheric Heating Lab Report
Midwest
Northeast
6.
Rivers naturally flood because high rainfall events or heavy snowmelt lead to increased
discharge which the river channel cannot contain within its banks. What does
Figure 5 (on
Canvas)
suggest regarding precipitation patterns in the Southwest?
7.
Figure 6 (on Canvas)
shows significant increases in the number of consecutive frost-free
days per year in the past three decades compared to the 1901-2010 average. What are
possible impacts of longer frost-free seasons on plants in an already hot and moisture-
stressed region like the Southwest?
Part 5: Wrap-Up
1.
Were you surprised by the glass panes simulation? Do you think it makes sense to buy
double or triple paned windows? Would your opinion change if you lived in a different
climate? (If yes, name the type of climate.)
2.
The Southwestern United States has experienced recent drought times which causes most
people to limit the amount of water they use and consume. Is there any other way that the
Southwest can decrease the chance of a drought? Is there anything you can do? Explain.
5