How is heat distributed by atmosphere and oceans and heat transfer occurs in both the hydrosphere and the atmosphere to disperse solar energy around the globe?
Types of Heat Transfer that Occurs in the Atmosphere & Hydrosphere
• convection - thermal energy transferred by the movement of heated matter
EXAMPLE - convection currents that cause air currents, movement of the ocean
• conduction - thermal energy is transferred through matter as particles come into contact with each other
EXAMPLE - air transfers energy between water over masses of water through conduction
• radiation - thermal energy is transferred just through space, not requiring a medium
EXAMPLE - energy from the Sun gets to Earth via radiation
Processes of Heat Transfer in the Atmosphere
In the atmosphere, convection currents are the primary process that transfers heat. Convection currents are circular current created by the movement of warm and cold air. The process happens in steps:
near the equator, solar radiation hits the earth at the highest levels.
1. solar radiation affects the air around the equator, which heats up rapidly and becomes less dense
2. colder, more dense air from above displaces the warm, less dense air into the atmosphere
3. warm air then spreads out towards the poles and cools
4. the now-cooled air sinks back down and creates a high pressured area
5. high pressured cool air pushes more low density warm air into the atmosphere, and the cycle repeats indefinitely
The process that creates convection currents is repeated towards the poles, which causes permanent bands of high and low pressure parallel to the equator. This causes stable wind patterns called prevailing winds. These prevailing winds bring warm air from the equator towards the poles, while also pushing warm water from the equator towards the poles.
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