MAST200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Pressure-Gradient Force, Solar Thermal Collector, Coriolis Force

• School: University of Delaware
• Department: Marine Studies
• Course: MAST200
• Professor: Thoroughgood Carolyn

Document Summary

> circulation of ocean waters helps keep earth suitable as a habitat for life. Atmosphere is composed mainly of n, o, water vapor. Lower atmosphere is a mostly homogenous mixture of gases. Water vapor is 4% of the volume of the atmosphere. Density of air is influenced by temperature and water content. Water vapor condenses into tiny droplets - clouds. Moisture evaporates to make warm, moist air. Permanent: present in constant relative % of total volume. Variable: concentration changes with time and location. Solar radiation = source of energy to the earth. Redistribution of this energy controls structure and dynamics of atmosphere and ocean. Atmosphere moves in response to uneven solar heating and earth"s rotation. About half of solar energy arriving at upper atmosphere is absorbed at earth"s surface. Light (short wave) energy absorbed at surface is converted to heat. Heat leaves earth as infrared (long wave) radiation.