ENVIROMENTAL SCIENCE

Climate and thermal effects

Dr. Fairuz Abdelrazig

Lec1.2.3,4
 Introduction

Environmental Science is the study of the The field of environmental science is

natural world, its ecosystems, and our growing at a faster rate than ever due
interactions with it. to issues such as climate change
and pollution

environmental science is the field of science that

studies the interactions of the physical, chemical, and
biological components of the environment and the
relationships and effects of these components with the
organisms in the environment.

to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems.

 resorce & physical devolopment
3
meteorogical
 Atmosphere
the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or
another planet.

The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases,

commonly known as air, retained by Earth's
gravity, surrounding the planet Earth and
forming its planetary ...

"part of the sun's energy is absorbed by the

earth's atmosphere
 A further region at about 500 km above the

atmosphere
Earth's surface is called the exosphere

• The atmosphere is
comprised of layers
based on
temperature. These
layers are the
troposphere,
stratosphere,
mesosphere and
thermosphere.
 Earth

• Earth's axis is tilted 23.5 degrees from the plane of

its orbit around the sun. But this tilt changes.
During a cycle that averages about 40,000 years,
the tilt of the axis varies between 22.1 and 24.5
degrees
If the Earth weren't tilted on its axis, there would be no seasons
Zones
Earth's axis is tilted 23.5 degrees

Earth spins on a 23.5-degree tilt, which is responsible for the seasons as we know
them. But if Earth's axis tilted to 90 degrees, extreme seasons would cause intense
climate change on every continent
 Seasons

This means that one pole ( hemisphere of Earth) will be directed •

away from the Sun at one side of the orbit, and half an orbit later
(half a year later) this pole will be directed towards the Sun. This is
the cause of Earth's seasons.
Summer occurs in the Northern hemisphere when the north
pole is directed toward the Sun. Variations in Earth's axial tilt
can influence the seasons and is likely a factor in long-term
climatic change
 Four
seasons
 The Sun’s impact on the Earth
• The air surrounding us consists of different gases
and also some particles. This layer of air, known
as the Earth’s atmosphere is retained by gravity.
The two main components are nitrogen (78%)
and oxygen (21%). Besides containing the
oxygen human beings and other organisms need
to live,
• the atmosphere has a number of other
“features” such as absorption of ultraviolet
radiation from the Sun by the ozone layer and
heat retention known as the greenhouse effect.
Links to review •
 ENVIROMENTAL SCIENCE

Climate and thermal effects

Dr. Fairuz Abdelrazig

Lec2
 Effect of Sun angle on climate
• Seasonal change in the angle of sunlight, caused
by the tilt of Earth's axis, is the basic mechanism
that results in warmer weather in summer than in
winter

• The amount of heat energy received at any

location on the globe is a direct effect of Sun
angle on climate, as the angle at which sunlight
strikes Earth varies by location, time of day, and
season due to Earth's orbit around the Sun and
Earth's rotation around its tilted axis.
 Solar radiation

Solar radiation that is not absorbed or reflected by the •

atmosphere (for example by clouds) reaches the surface
of the Earth.
The Earth absorbs most of the energy reaching its surface, •
a small fraction is reflected. In total approximately 50-70%
of incoming radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and
the Earth’s surface while around 30-50% is reflected back
to space and does not heat the surface.
The Earth radiates energy at wavelengths much longer •
than the Sun because it is colder.
 heat is distributed over the surface of
Earth
ISun angle
.
A. The angle at which the sun's rays reach Earth is directly related to the intensity
•

of sunlight at the surface.

•
1. At high angles ( 65o-90o) the sun's radiation is most intense. This is why
noon or the early afternoon is often the warmest time of day.
2. At low angles (5o-30o for instance) the sun's radiation is more diffuse
and spread out, compared to the typical noon time sun. Mornings and evenings
are cooler than midday hours for this reason.

B. Sun is highest in the sky at noon,

1. Earth is tilted by 23.5o from a position perpendicular to its orbital
plane. Earth's tilt remains fixed as it orbits the sun.
2. As Earth orbits the sun, the north pole tilts toward the sun part of the
year, and away from the sun part of the year.
3. The sun rays shine down perpendicularly at a different latitude each
day because of this tilt and its orbit around the sun. .
 Sun angle

• C. Sun angle also relates to the thickness of

the atmosphere that the sun's rays must pass
to make it to Earth's surface.
1. When sun is at a high angle to
Earth's surface, sun's rays pass through less
of Earth's atmosphere.
2. When sun is at a low angle to Earth's
surface, sun's rays pass through more of
Earth's atmosphere.
sun's rays shine down perpendicularly
• Where the sun's rays shine down perpendicularly is
where Earth becomes warmer.
a. On June 21-22, the Sun's perpendicular rays
(witnessed by 90o position of sun at noon) shine down at
23.5o N latitude (Tropic of Cancer).
b. From June to September 21, the Sun's
perpendicular rays migrate from 23.5o N latitude to the
equator (0o latitude).
c. From September to December 21, the Sun's
perpendicular rays migrate from the equator to 23.5o S
latitude (Tropic of Capricorn).
d. From December to March 21, the Sun's
perpendicular rays migrate from 23.5o S latitude to the
equator
• On Earth, sunlight is scattered and filtered
through Earth's atmosphere, and is obvious as
daylight when the Sun is above the horizon.
• When direct solar radiation is not blocked by
clouds, it is experienced as sunshine, a
combination of bright light and radiant heat.
The Earth absorbs most of the energy reaching its surface, a small fraction is reflected.
 Duration of sunlight. Length of
daylight varies seasonally
•
A. As the Sun's vertical rays
migrate into the N. hemisphere, the
length of daylight for the N.
hemisphere increases.
1. The day of longest daylight
for N. hemisphere occurs when Sun's
vertical rays are positioned over the
Tropic of Cancer.
2. All points north of the Arctic
circle (66.5o N latitude) receive 24
hours of daylight at this time (June
21, June solstice). 24 hours of
daylight has the sun positioned close
to the horizon throughout the day,
like a permanent sunrise or sunset.
 Geometry of Sun angle
• When sunlight shines
on Earth at a lower
angle (Sun closer to
the horizon), the
energy of the sunlight
is spread over a larger
area, and is therefore
weaker than if the Sun
is higher overhead and
the energy is
concentrated on a
smaller area.
• B. When the Sun's vertical rays are positioned over
the equator (September 21, March 21), all points on
Earth receive 12 hours of daylight, 12 hours of
night. Such a day is called an equinox ( "equal night").
Links to review •