How is thermal energy transferred through the atmosphere and hydrosphere? What effects does this transfer have on climate?
1 Answer
Once received by radiation or convection thermal energy is distributed through the atmosphere and the hydrosphere by convection and conduction. This is what creates a climate.
Explanation:
Thermal energy is primarily received on earth by solar radiation. Thermal energy from the earth's core also contributes to atmosphere and hydrosphere via vents through the earth's crust and volcanic eruptions.
Convection is the movement of molecules resulting in warmer (higher energy) molecules moving in to cooler areas and transferring the thermal energy to other molecules by displacement, conduction and radiation.
Conduction is the direct transfer of thermal energy by contact between molecules – primarily the hydrosphere in this case.
Thermal exchanges are what ultimately power the planet, life, and the weather.
The 'climate' is a very complex interaction of the thermal energy received, retained, and how it is distributed. Thus, thermal energy transfer MAKES the climate.
