ATOC 184 Lecture Notes - Physical Law, Hot Air Balloon, Ageostrophy
27 Mar 2013
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Absolute zero= zero kelvin where molecules stop moving. Celcius= linked with water (vs human comfort) 100 celcius= water boils. Warmest and coldest temps= over land because water heats up and cools more slowly than land does (so water= larger heat capacity because it takes more energy to heat up water) If we had more land= rate of global warming would be higher. Energy source= the sun (tilt of earth). How much heat we get is related to amount of photons that hit an area. When the sun is directly overhead, spot there receives more photons and is thus hotter aka the equator. Angle and tilt and distance(diming further away)= are the things that determine how warm or how cold areas of the planet get. Season variations at equator= much less (more constant temps). When air is warm= molecules become more energetic, move faster and collide more. Pressure= force atmosphere is applying on ground.
