Thermal Energy
The earth's source of thermal energy is the sun. The sun releases radiation and warms our atmosphere and surface, and becomes heat energy. This can be transferred through three processes: conduction, convection, and radiation. Radiation is the heat you feel when you walk outside. According to our source, radiation is the transfer of heat energy by electromagnetic waves. Convection is the movement and transfer of heat through fluids. This is why you feel warmth in pools and oceans. Conduction is the transfer of heat from one molecule to another within a substance. If you light a match on fire between your fingers, you'll feel the molecules moving faster in the form of heat.
Formation of Wind
Sea breezes are caused by two forms of heat being transferred. Those two forms are: convection and conduction. Every single gust of wind can be traced back to the sun. When the sun unevenly heats the surface of the earth, certain winds rise and other winds sink. This results in high and low regions of air pressure. This results in the formation of wind. When the sun heats the air, the air starts to rise, which changes the pressure in the atmosphere, which causes winds. The winds that form along the equator are called the equitorial doldrums.
Ocean Currents
The wind, tides, and thermohaline circulation power the ocean currents. They have a significant impact on the movement of energy. they also play an important role between circulating moisture through the ocean and the atmosphere. The wind drives ocean currents that are at or near the ocean surface. Tides create currents in the ocean. The thermohaline circulation causes different speeds of water currents.
Sources
The earth's source of thermal energy is the sun. The sun releases radiation and warms our atmosphere and surface, and becomes heat energy. This can be transferred through three processes: conduction, convection, and radiation. Radiation is the heat you feel when you walk outside. According to our source, radiation is the transfer of heat energy by electromagnetic waves. Convection is the movement and transfer of heat through fluids. This is why you feel warmth in pools and oceans. Conduction is the transfer of heat from one molecule to another within a substance. If you light a match on fire between your fingers, you'll feel the molecules moving faster in the form of heat.
Formation of Wind
Sea breezes are caused by two forms of heat being transferred. Those two forms are: convection and conduction. Every single gust of wind can be traced back to the sun. When the sun unevenly heats the surface of the earth, certain winds rise and other winds sink. This results in high and low regions of air pressure. This results in the formation of wind. When the sun heats the air, the air starts to rise, which changes the pressure in the atmosphere, which causes winds. The winds that form along the equator are called the equitorial doldrums.
Ocean Currents
The wind, tides, and thermohaline circulation power the ocean currents. They have a significant impact on the movement of energy. they also play an important role between circulating moisture through the ocean and the atmosphere. The wind drives ocean currents that are at or near the ocean surface. Tides create currents in the ocean. The thermohaline circulation causes different speeds of water currents.
Sources
- "Currents." NOAA's National Ocean Service: Education:. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. <http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_currents/>.
- "Weather Wiz Kids Weather Information for Kids." Weather Wiz Kids Weather Information for Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. <http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-wind.htm>.
- "Earth's Atmosphere." Earth's Atmosphere. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. <http://www.atmos.illinois.edu/earths_atmosphere/heat_transfer.html>.
- "Earth System Science Glossary." Earth System Science Glossary. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2012. <http://serc.carleton.edu/eslabs/climate/glossary.html>.