Introduction to Meteorology Chapter 2 Heating the Earth's Surface and Atmosphere

The point in the orbit of a planet that is farthest from the Sun

The point in the orbit of a planet closest to the Sun

The motion of one body about another, as Earth about the Sun

The plane of Earth's Orbit around the Sun

The angle of the Sun above the horizon

The point in time when the vertical rays of the Sun are Striking the equator.  In the Northern Hemisphere, March 20 or 21 is the vernal, or spring, equinox and September 22 or 23 is the autumnal equinox.  Lengths of daylight and darkness are equal at all latitudes at equinox.

The point in time when the vertical rays of the Sun are striking either the Tropic of Cancer(summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere) or the Tropic of Capricorn(winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere).  Solstice represents the longest or shortest day (length of daylight) of the year.

The tilt of Earth's axis from the perpendicular to the plane of Earth's orbit (plan of the ecliptic).  Currently, the inclination is about 23 1/2 degrees away from the perpendicular.

The parallel of latitude, 23 1/2 degrees north latitude, marking the northern limit of the Sun's vertical rays.

The parallel of latitude, 23 1/2 degrees south latitude, marking the southern limit of the Sun's vertical rays.

The line(great circle) separating daylight from darkness on Earth.

Energy that exists by virtue of a body's position with respect to gravity.

The energy absorbed or released during a change of state.

The kenetic energy  of random molecular motion.  Energy transferred into or out of an object because of temperature differences between that object and its surroundings.

Energy associated with an object by virtue of its motion

A measure of the degree of hotness or coldness of a substance.

The energy absorbed or released during a change of state.

The heat we can feel and measure with a thermometer

The transfer of heat through matter by molecular activity.  Energy is transferred during collisions among molecules.  Thus, conduction is the transfer of heat through electron and molecular collisions from one molecule to another.

The transfer of heat by the movement of a mass or substance.  It can take place only in fluids.

The change of state from a gas to a liquid.

Horizontal convective motion, such as wind.

An example of convection that involves the upward movements of warm, less dense air.  In this manner, heat is transported to greater heights.

The wavelike energy emitted by any substance that possesses heat.  This energy travels through space at 300,000 kilometers per second (the speed of light).

Radiation with a wavelength from 0.2 to 0.4 micrometer.

The horizontal distance separating successive crest or troughs.

The greatest distance at which prominent objects can be seen and identified by unaided, normal eyes.

Is the process by which shortwave and longwave energy passes through the atmosphere (or any transparent media) without interacting with the gases or other particles in the atmosphere.

A measure of the amount of radiant energy absorbed by a substance.

A form of condensation best described as a dense concentration of suspended water droplets or tiny ice crystals.

The reflectivity of a substance, usually expressed as a percentage of the incident radiation reflected.

Is the process whereby light bounces back from an object at the same angle and intensity at which it was received.

Is a general processes in which radiation is forced to deviate from a straight trajectory.

Scattering disperses light both forward and backward

Solar energy is scattered and reflected in the atmosphere and reaches Earth's surface in the form of diffuse blue light from the sky.

Terrestrial radiation between 8 and 11 micrometers in length to which the troposphere is transparent.

The transmission of shortwave solar radiation by the atmosphere coupled with the selective absorption of longer-wavelength terrestrial radiation, especially by water vapor and carbon dioxide, resulting in warming of the atmosphere.

A reference to radiation emitted by Earth.  Wavelengths of roughly 20 times longer than those emitted by the Sun.