GG101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Antarctic Plateau, Ice Core, Arctic Ocean
Document Summary
Temperature: a measure of the average kinetic energy (motion) of individual molecules in matter. For instance, when you jump into water, you can sense the heat transfer from skin to water as kin energy leaves your body and flows to water; a chill ensues. The temp. at which atomic and molecular motion in matter completely stops is absolute zero; or. Boiling water is 100 degrees c, melting point of ice at 0. Insolation intensity decreases as one moves away from the subsolar point- a point that migrates annually between the tropics of cancer and capricorn. Cloud cover: clouds moderate temperature, and their effects vary with cloud type, height and density, their moisture reflects, absorbs and liberates large amounts of energy released upon condensation and cloud formation. Specific heat: water needs far more energy to warm up versus land, water has a higher specific heat as a result.
