Lesson #: Thermal Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

Question 1

Thermal Energy Transfer

Answer 1

• How heat (thermal energy) moves from one object or substance to another
• Energy will flow from a warmer to a cooler area until they’re the same temperature (equilibrium)

Question 2

What three ways can thermal energy be transferred?

Answer 2

1. Radiation
2. Conduction
3. Convection

Question 3

Radiation

Answer 3

• The transfer of energy via electromagnetic waves
  Ex. sun sends electromagnetic waves to Earth

Question 4

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Answer 4

• A range of all types of electromagnetic waves
• Measures waves length and frequency

Question 5

What seven types of rays are on the electromagnetic spectrum?

Answer 5

1. Radio waves
   2.Microwave
2. Infrared waves
3. Visible light
4. Ultraviolet rays
5. X-rays
6. Gamma rays

Question 6

Radio Waves

Answer 6

• Used to carry signals over long distances
• Safe for humans (non-ionizing)
  Ex. radio broadcasting, cellphones and wifi, TV signals

Question 7

Microwave

Answer 7

• Mainly used to cook food
• Safe for humans (non-ionizing)

Question 8

Infrared Waves

Answer 8

• Cannot see infrared rays but can feel them as heat
• Safe in smaller amounts
  Ex. remotes, thermal cams, heating

Question 9

Visible Light

Answer 9

• Range of EM waves that humans can detect with their eyes (allows us to see colors)
  Ex. everyday vision, lighting, screens, photography

Question 10

Ultraviolet Waves

Answer 10

• Comes mainly from the sun
  Ex. sterilization and disinfection, vitamin D production

Question 11

X-Rays

Answer 11

• Can pass through many things visible light cannot like skin and soft tissue
• Not safe for humans (ionizing)
  Ex. medical imagining, security

Question 12

Gamma Rays

Answer 12

• Produced by nuclear reactions, cosmic events, etc.
• Not safe for humans (ionizing)
  Ex. cancer treatment, astronomy, sterilization

Question 13

Wavelengths

Answer 13

• The distance between tops of the wavelength
• Longer wavelengths = more stretched out
• Shortwave lengths = more packed together

Question 14

Frequency and Energy of Wave Lengths

Answer 14

• How many wave cycles pass a point in one second
• Higher frequency = more waves pass by each second
  *Higher frequency waves carry more energy while lower frequency waves carry less energy

Question 15

How will a higher frequency wave affect matter? How will a lower frequency wave affect matter?

Answer 15

Higher: can penetrate deeper and cause chemical changes
Ex. X-rays passing through body, UV damaging skin
Lower: cause more gentle effects
Ex. heating, just passing through (radio waves)

Question 16

How do waves with long wavelengths behave? How do short wavelengths behave?

Answer 16

Long: bend around obstacles (buildings, motions), will pass through or around objects with little effect
Short: travel in mostly straight lines and don’t bend much, will absorb, reflect or cause changes in matter

Question 17

Order the Waves from Longest to Shortest Wavelength

Answer 17

1. Radio waves
2. Microwaves
3. Infrared waves
4. Visible light
5. Ultraviolet waves
6. UV rays
7. Gamma rays

Question 18

Order the Waves from Highest Energy and Frequency to Lowest

Answer 18

1. Gamma rays
2. UV rays
3. Ultraviolet waves
4. Visible light
5. Infrared waves
6. Microwaves
7. Radio waves

Question 19

Conduction

Answer 19

• The transfer of thermal energy by DIRECT CONTACT
  Ex. hot stove transfer energy to pot

Question 20

In which state does conduction take place?

Answer 20

• Solids

Question 21

Convection

Answer 21

• The transfer of thermal energy through the movement of particles from one place to another
  Ex. boiling pot of water

Question 22

In which state does convection take place?

Answer 22

• Liquids (fluids)