The graph shows the estimated annual amount of heat that is transported from the equator toward the poles at different latitudes on Earth.  The graph shows three curves- the amount of heat transported by the ocean, the amount of heat transported by the atmosphere, and the total amount of heat transported by the ocean and atmosphere combined.  Using this data and what you know about atmosphere and ocean circulation, try to answer the questions below. The amount of heat energy transported is given in Petawatts (PW).  One Petawatt = 1,000,000,000,000,000 watts, so this is a LOT of energy!  To put this in context, the monthly electric use of an “average” home in PA was 831 kilowatt hours in 2006. Look at what happens between 20º N and 40º N.  1. How does the amount of heat that is transported by the atmosphere change and by how much?

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The graph shows the estimated annual amount of heat that is transported from the equator toward the poles at different latitudes on Earth.  The graph shows three curves- the amount of heat transported by the ocean, the amount of heat transported by the atmosphere, and the total amount of heat transported by the ocean and atmosphere combined.  Using this data and what you know about atmosphere and ocean circulation, try to answer the questions below.

The amount of heat energy transported is given in Petawatts (PW).  One Petawatt = 1,000,000,000,000,000 watts, so this is a LOT of energy!  To put this in context, the monthly electric use of an “average” home in PA was 831 kilowatt hours in 2006.

Look at what happens between 20º N and 40º N. 

1. How does the amount of heat that is transported by the atmosphere change and by how much?

 
Total heat transport (ocean + atmo)
Ocean heat transport
Atmosphere heat transport
2
-2
-4
-6
80
60
40
20
20
40
60
80
EQ
Latitude
"N
Heat transport estimates by Trenberth and Caron (2001). Dashed line: ocean heat
transport; Dash-dot: atmospheric heat transport; Solid: total (atmosphere + ocean) heat
transport. Note that positive values of heat transport imply northward heat transport
Heat Transport (PW)
Transcribed Image Text:Total heat transport (ocean + atmo) Ocean heat transport Atmosphere heat transport 2 -2 -4 -6 80 60 40 20 20 40 60 80 EQ Latitude "N Heat transport estimates by Trenberth and Caron (2001). Dashed line: ocean heat transport; Dash-dot: atmospheric heat transport; Solid: total (atmosphere + ocean) heat transport. Note that positive values of heat transport imply northward heat transport Heat Transport (PW)
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