Earth's energy flow - Revision history

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energy>Ethan.boechler at 21:10, 10 September 2021

2021-09-10T21:10:31Z

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	[[Category:Done 2018-12-10]]		[[Category:Done 2018-12-10]]
	[[Category: Ashley edit]]		[[Category: Ashley edit]]
			[[Category:Translated to French]]
			[[fr:Flux d'énergie de la Terre]]
	The [[weather]] and [[climate]] on Earth are dictated by the amount of [[solar energy to the Earth\|incoming energy]] from the Sun. [[Earth's energy budget]] explains that if the incoming and outgoing [[radiation]] are equal, then the climate is in equilibrium. This balance is achieved or not achieved depending on how this incoming [[energy]] interacts with the Earth and objects on it through phenomena such as scattering, reflection, absorption, and energy transformations. Energy can be converted, transported and stored in a variety of forms. Overall, how energy acts once it has reached the Earth plays a significant role in Earth's climate. <onlyinclude> '''Energy flows''' are the energy transformations and movement that occur once energy has reached the Earth. These flows describe how energy is distributed and how it interacts with objects, determining certain climate properties.</onlyinclude><ref>Kevin E. Trenberth- APS Physics. (April 28, 2015). ''Changes in the Flow of Energy through the Earth’s Climate System'' [Online]. Available: http://www.aps.org/units/fps/newsletters/200904/trenberth.cfm</ref>		The [[weather]] and [[climate]] on Earth are dictated by the amount of [[solar energy to the Earth\|incoming energy]] from the Sun. [[Earth's energy budget]] explains that if the incoming and outgoing [[radiation]] are equal, then the climate is in equilibrium. This balance is achieved or not achieved depending on how this incoming [[energy]] interacts with the Earth and objects on it through phenomena such as scattering, reflection, absorption, and energy transformations. Energy can be converted, transported and stored in a variety of forms. Overall, how energy acts once it has reached the Earth plays a significant role in Earth's climate. <onlyinclude> '''Energy flows''' are the energy transformations and movement that occur once energy has reached the Earth. These flows describe how energy is distributed and how it interacts with objects, determining certain climate properties.</onlyinclude><ref>Kevin E. Trenberth- APS Physics. (April 28, 2015). ''Changes in the Flow of Energy through the Earth’s Climate System'' [Online]. Available: http://www.aps.org/units/fps/newsletters/200904/trenberth.cfm</ref>
	[[File:energyflowrev4.png\|780px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 1. Energy flows on the Earth.<ref name=in>''Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref><ref name= "Wolfson"/>]]		[[File:energyflowrev4.png\|780px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 1. Energy flows on the Earth.<ref name=in>''Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref><ref name= "Wolfson"/>]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2019-01-04T18:15:20Z

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2dev>Ashley.Sheardown at 19:04, 19 December 2018

2018-12-19T19:04:46Z

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	[[category:fuels]]		[[category:fuels]]
	[[category:energy flows]]		[[category:energy flows]]
	[[Category:Done 2018-06-15]]		[[Category:Done 2018-12-10]]
	The [[weather]] and [[climate]] on ~~the~~ Earth are dictated by the amount of [[solar energy to the Earth\|incoming energy]] from the Sun. [[Earth's energy budget]] explains that if the incoming and outgoing [[radiation]] are equal, then the climate is in equilibrium. This balance is achieved or not achieved depending on how this incoming [[energy]] interacts with the Earth and objects on it through ~~phenomenon~~ such as scattering, reflection, absorption, and energy transformations. Energy can be converted, transported and stored in a variety of forms. Overall, how energy acts once it has reached the Earth plays a significant ~~roll~~ in ~~the~~ Earth's climate. <onlyinclude> '''Energy flows''' are the energy transformations and movement that occur once energy has reached the Earth. These flows describe how energy is distributed and how it interacts with objects, determining certain climate properties.</onlyinclude><ref>Kevin E. Trenberth- APS Physics. (April 28, 2015). ''Changes in the Flow of Energy through the Earth’s Climate System'' [Online]. Available: http://www.aps.org/units/fps/newsletters/200904/trenberth.cfm</ref>		[[Category: Ashley edit]]
			The [[weather]] and [[climate]] on Earth are dictated by the amount of [[solar energy to the Earth\|incoming energy]] from the Sun. [[Earth's energy budget]] explains that if the incoming and outgoing [[radiation]] are equal, then the climate is in equilibrium. This balance is achieved or not achieved depending on how this incoming [[energy]] interacts with the Earth and objects on it through phenomena such as scattering, reflection, absorption, and energy transformations. Energy can be converted, transported and stored in a variety of forms. Overall, how energy acts once it has reached the Earth plays a significant role in Earth's climate. <onlyinclude> '''Energy flows''' are the energy transformations and movement that occur once energy has reached the Earth. These flows describe how energy is distributed and how it interacts with objects, determining certain climate properties.</onlyinclude><ref>Kevin E. Trenberth- APS Physics. (April 28, 2015). ''Changes in the Flow of Energy through the Earth’s Climate System'' [Online]. Available: http://www.aps.org/units/fps/newsletters/200904/trenberth.cfm</ref>
	[[File:energyflowrev4.png\|780px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 1. Energy flows on the Earth.<ref name=in>''Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref><ref name= "Wolfson"/>]]		[[File:energyflowrev4.png\|780px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 1. Energy flows on the Earth.<ref name=in>''Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref><ref name= "Wolfson"/>]]

	All of the energy that is incident upon the Earth acts in different ways. 30% of this [[solar energy]] is reflected, and the remaining 70% moves in different forms in pathways. The majority of the [[energy]] that the Earth receives is from the [[Sun]], only 0.03% comes from other sources (as seen in Figure 1). This makes the ''solar flow'' the most dominant energy flow. In total, 174,000 [[watt\|TW]] of power—that's the energy of roughly 4 [[tonne of oil equivalent\|million tonnes of oil]] every [[second]]—is incident upon the Earth. While this is a small portion of the 410,000,000,000,000 TW of power the Sun puts out in all directions, it is still a great deal of energy.		All of the energy that is incident upon the Earth acts in different ways. 30% of this [[solar energy]] is reflected, and the remaining 70% moves in different forms and pathways. The majority of the [[energy]] that the Earth receives is from the [[Sun]], only 0.03% comes from other sources (as seen in Figure 1). This makes the ''solar flow'' the most dominant energy flow. In total, 174,000 [[watt\|TW]] of power—that's the energy of roughly 4 [[tonne of oil equivalent\|million tonnes of oil]] every [[second]]—is incident upon the Earth. While this is a small portion of the 410,000,000,000,000 TW of power the Sun puts out in all directions, it is still a great deal of energy.

	==Flows on the Earths Surface==		==Flows on the Earths Surface==
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	Roughly 1%,<ref name = "Wolfson"/> or 1700 TW is turned into the energy of wind and ocean currents. This moves air and water all over the planet, which transfers the heat held in the motion of the molecules of the gas or liquid.		Roughly 1%,<ref name = "Wolfson"/> or 1700 TW is turned into the energy of wind and ocean currents. This moves air and water all over the planet, which transfers the heat held in the motion of the molecules of the gas or liquid.

	A very small amount (only around 0.08% or 140 TW) of the initial energy gets captured by [[photosynthesis]], giving energy to plants.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This photosynthesis then allows plants to absorb [[carbon]] from the atmosphere in the form of [[carbon dioxide]].Almost all the energy used to power life comes from this 140 TW. Plants get their energy from this photosynthesis and then animals either eat plants to get this energy, or eat animals that eat these plants to get this energy. When the plants and animals die, they may become [[fossil fuel]]s. However, it takes a significant time ([[~~timescale~~ of the universe\|millions of years]]) for this to occur. Although the [[fossil fuel formation\|formation of fossil fuel]]s isn't straightforward, most of the [[chemical energy]] stored in these plants and animals decays to thermal energy in the atmosphere.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> The fossil fuels used by humans amount to about 14 TW (of the 16 TW of [[primary energy]] used by humans).<ref name =OECD />		A very small amount (only around 0.08% or 140 TW) of the initial energy gets captured by [[photosynthesis]], giving energy to plants.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This photosynthesis then allows plants to absorb [[carbon]] from the atmosphere in the form of [[carbon dioxide]].Almost all the energy used to power life comes from this 140 TW. Plants get their energy from this photosynthesis and then animals either eat plants to get this energy, or eat animals that eat these plants to get this energy. When the plants and animals die, they may become [[fossil fuel]]s. However, it takes a significant time ([[time scale of the universe\|millions of years]]) for this to occur. Although the [[fossil fuel formation\|formation of fossil fuel]]s isn't straightforward, most of the [[chemical energy]] stored in these plants and animals decays to thermal energy in the atmosphere.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> The fossil fuels used by humans amount to about 14 TW (of the 16 TW of [[primary energy]] used by humans).<ref name =OECD />

	===Other Flows===		===Other Flows===
	In addition to ~~the~~ solar flow, ~~the~~ '''nuclear flow''' contributes to the overall energy on the Earth. Humans use around 1 TW of nuclear fuels,<ref name =OECD> Data taken from oecd.org (the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) accessed October 30th, 2014</ref> and this energy does not originate from the Sun. Instead, nuclear fuels are left over from the explosion that started the solar system. This 1 TW is part of the 0.02% that doesn't come from the sun.		In addition to solar flow, '''nuclear flow''' contributes to the overall energy on the Earth. Humans use around 1 TW of nuclear fuels,<ref name =OECD> Data taken from oecd.org (the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) accessed October 30th, 2014</ref> and this energy does not originate from the Sun. Instead, nuclear fuels are left over from the explosion that started the solar system. This 1 TW is part of the 0.02% that doesn't come from the sun.

	As well, the '''geothermal flow''' is another energy source that doesn't originate from the Sun. The [[geothermal energy]] coming through the [[Cross section of the Earth\|Earth's crust]] is roughly 44 TW or approximately 0.025%.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> The rest of the power that doesn't come from the Sun is the ~3 TW or 0.0017% coming from tidal forces acting between the Earth and Moon.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This small flow is known as the '''tidal flow'''.		As well, the '''geothermal flow''' is another energy source that doesn't originate from the Sun. The [[geothermal energy]] coming through the [[Cross section of the Earth\|Earth's crust]] is roughly 44 TW or approximately 0.025%.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> The rest of the power that doesn't come from the Sun is the ~3 TW or 0.0017% coming from tidal forces acting between the Earth and Moon.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This small flow is known as the '''tidal flow'''.

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2018-06-25T14:30:27Z

1 revision imported

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Jmdonev at 00:27, 9 June 2018

2018-06-09T00:27:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:27, 9 June 2018
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	[[category:371 topics]]		[[category:371 topics]]
	[[category:Lecture 1B_Human_effects]]		[[category:Lecture 1B_Human_effects]]
	~~[[Category:Done 2016-01-15]]~~
	[[category:fuels]]		[[category:fuels]]
	[[category:energy flows]]		[[category:energy flows]]
	The [[weather]] and [[climate]] on the Earth are dictated by the amount of [[solar energy to the Earth\|incoming energy]] from the Sun. [[Earth's energy budget]] explains that if the incoming and outgoing [[radiation]] are equal, then the climate is in equilibrium. This balance is achieved or not achieved depending on how this incoming [[energy]] interacts with the Earth and objects on it through phenomenon such as scattering, reflection, absorption, and energy transformations. Energy can be ~~stored~~, transported in a variety of forms~~, or converted among different types of energy~~. Overall, how energy acts once it has reached the Earth plays a significant roll in the Earth's climate. <onlyinclude> '''Energy flows''' are the energy transformations and movement that occur once energy has reached the Earth. These flows describe how energy is distributed and how it interacts with objects, determining certain climate properties.</onlyinclude><ref>Kevin E. Trenberth- APS Physics. (April 28, 2015). ''Changes in the Flow of Energy through the Earth’s Climate System'' [Online]. Available: http://www.aps.org/units/fps/newsletters/200904/trenberth.cfm</ref>		[[Category:Done 2018-06-15]]
			The [[weather]] and [[climate]] on the Earth are dictated by the amount of [[solar energy to the Earth\|incoming energy]] from the Sun. [[Earth's energy budget]] explains that if the incoming and outgoing [[radiation]] are equal, then the climate is in equilibrium. This balance is achieved or not achieved depending on how this incoming [[energy]] interacts with the Earth and objects on it through phenomenon such as scattering, reflection, absorption, and energy transformations. Energy can be converted, transported and stored in a variety of forms. Overall, how energy acts once it has reached the Earth plays a significant roll in the Earth's climate. <onlyinclude> '''Energy flows''' are the energy transformations and movement that occur once energy has reached the Earth. These flows describe how energy is distributed and how it interacts with objects, determining certain climate properties.</onlyinclude><ref>Kevin E. Trenberth- APS Physics. (April 28, 2015). ''Changes in the Flow of Energy through the Earth’s Climate System'' [Online]. Available: http://www.aps.org/units/fps/newsletters/200904/trenberth.cfm</ref>
	[[File:energyflowrev4.png\|780px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 1. Energy flows on the Earth.<ref name=in>''Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref><ref name= "Wolfson"/>]]		[[File:energyflowrev4.png\|780px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 1. Energy flows on the Earth.<ref name=in>''Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref><ref name= "Wolfson"/>]]

	All of the energy that is incident upon the Earth acts in different ways. ~~Of all~~ of ~~the~~ [[solar energy]] ~~that~~ is ~~output by the sun~~, ~~only 70% of this reaches the surface of~~ the ~~Earth in some way. Once this~~ 70% ~~reaches the Earth, the energy~~ moves in different forms in pathways. The majority of the [[energy]] that the Earth receives is from the [[Sun]], only 0.03% comes from other sources~~. This can be~~ seen in Figure 1. This makes the ''solar flow'' the most dominant energy flow. In total, 174,000 [[watt\|TW]] of ~~power - that~~'s the energy of roughly 4 [[tonne of oil equivalent\|million tonnes of oil]] every [[second]] ~~- is~~ incident upon the Earth. While this is a small portion of the 410,000,000,000,000 TW of power the Sun puts out in all directions, it is still a great deal of energy.		All of the energy that is incident upon the Earth acts in different ways. 30% of this [[solar energy]] is reflected, and the remaining 70% moves in different forms in pathways. The majority of the [[energy]] that the Earth receives is from the [[Sun]], only 0.03% comes from other sources (as seen in Figure 1). This makes the ''solar flow'' the most dominant energy flow. In total, 174,000 [[watt\|TW]] of power—that's the energy of roughly 4 [[tonne of oil equivalent\|million tonnes of oil]] every [[second]]—is incident upon the Earth. While this is a small portion of the 410,000,000,000,000 TW of power the Sun puts out in all directions, it is still a great deal of energy.

	==Flows on the Earths Surface==		==Flows on the Earths Surface==
	Although the solar energy flow is the most dominant flow, it is not the only source of energy on the Earth. Energy from the use of [[nuclear fuel]]s, as well as energy due to the [[tidal power\|tides]] and the [[thermal energy]] from the centre of the Earth all ~~contributes~~ to the total energy on the Earth. Although these flows contribute much less, they are still vital ~~in ensuring~~ that the Earth is in an energy balance.		Although the solar energy flow is the most dominant flow, it is not the only source of energy on the Earth. Energy from the use of [[nuclear fuel]]s, as well as energy due to the [[tidal power\|tides]] and the [[thermal energy]] from the centre of the Earth all contribute to the total energy on the Earth. Although these flows contribute much less, they are still vital to ensure that the Earth is in an energy balance.

	===Solar Flow===		===Solar Flow===
	[[File:solarflow3.png\|400px\|framed\|center\|Figure 2. Specific pathways within the dominant solar flow.<ref name=in/><ref name= "Wolfson"/>]]		[[File:solarflow3.png\|400px\|framed\|center\|Figure 2. Specific pathways within the dominant solar flow.<ref name=in/><ref name= "Wolfson"/>]]
	From the 174 000 TW delivered to Earth, an average value of <m>~~1360~~ \frac{W}{m^2}</m> is determined to be the power incident on one square meter ~~of land~~. However, this value is averaged over the planet ~~and~~ becomes <m>340 \frac{W}{m^2}</m>. See [[solar energy to the Earth\|this page]] for a more thorough derivation of these values. Of this power, approximately 30% is reflected back into space with reflection due to the atmosphere, [[cloud]]s, the [[ocean]], land and [[ice ~~caps]]~~.<ref name = "Wolfson">R. Wolfson, Figure 1-08 in ''Energy, Environment and Climate,'' 2nd ed. New York, U.S.A.: Norton, 2012, pp. 20–21</ref>		From the 174 000 TW delivered to Earth, an average value of <math>1367 \frac{W}{m^2}</math> is determined to be the power incident on one square meter located at a fixed location outside Earth's atmosphere. However, this value averaged over the entire planet becomes <math>340 \frac{W}{m^2}</math>. See [[solar energy to the Earth\|this page]] for a more thorough derivation of these values. Of this power, approximately 30% is reflected back into space with reflection due to the atmosphere, [[cloud]]s, the [[ocean]], land and ice.<ref name = "Wolfson">R. Wolfson, Figure 1-08 in ''Energy, Environment and Climate,'' 2nd ed. New York, U.S.A.: Norton, 2012, pp. 20–21</ref>

	The remaining 120 000 TW, or approximately 70% of the initial energy, that reaches the surface of the Earth comes down and warms the [[atmosphere]].<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This portion of the pathway can be seen in Figure 2. In the atmosphere, [[greenhouse gases\|greenhouse gas]] molecules absorb this thermal energy, and their [[temperature]]s rise. After this absorption, the gases radiate thermal energy back out in all directions. This thermal energy then radiates back out into space. It is this phenomenon that warms the surface through the natural [[greenhouse effect]].<ref name="NASA">NASA Earth Observatory. (March 4, 2015). ''Climate and Earth's Energy Budget'' [Online]. Available: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/EnergyBalance/printall.php</ref> Approximately 78 300 TW of energy are used to keep the atmosphere warm in this manner, resulting in the average temperature staying at [[Celsius\|15°C]] or [[Kelvin\|288 K]].		The remaining 120 000 TW, or approximately 70% of the initial energy, that reaches the surface of the Earth comes down and warms the [[atmosphere]].<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This portion of the pathway can be seen in Figure 2. In the atmosphere, [[greenhouse gases\|greenhouse gas]] molecules absorb this thermal energy, and their [[temperature]]s rise. After this absorption, the gases radiate thermal energy back out in all directions. This thermal energy then radiates back out into space. It is this phenomenon that warms the surface through the natural [[greenhouse effect]].<ref name="NASA">NASA Earth Observatory. (March 4, 2015). ''Climate and Earth's Energy Budget'' [Online]. Available: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/EnergyBalance/printall.php</ref> Approximately 78 300 TW of energy are used to keep the atmosphere warm in this manner, resulting in the average temperature staying at [[Celsius\|15°C]] or [[Kelvin\|288 K]].
	From the original incoming energy, approximately 23% or 40,000 TW<ref name = "Wolfson"/> [[evaporation\|evaporate]]s [[water]] and runs the [[hydrologic cycle]]. Here, [[liquid]] water molecules absorb incoming energy and [[phase change\|change phase]] from liquid to [[gas]]. The energy it took to evaporate this water is then [[latent heat\|latent]] in the motion of the [[water vapour\|vapour]] molecules.<ref name="NASA"/> The molecules can then ~~condense, creating~~ rain, snow, and sleet which drives rivers, runoff and [[cloud formation]] ~~and releasing~~ the latent heat into the atmosphere. This allows [[hydropower]] to capture energy as well, of which humans use ~ 1 TW.<ref name =OECD />		From the original incoming energy, approximately 23% or 40,000 TW<ref name = "Wolfson"/> [[evaporation\|evaporate]]s [[water]] and runs the [[hydrologic cycle]]. Here, [[liquid]] water molecules absorb incoming energy and [[phase change\|change phase]] from liquid to [[gas]]. The energy it took to evaporate this water is then [[latent heat\|latent]] in the motion of the [[water vapour\|vapour]] molecules.<ref name="NASA"/> The molecules can then condense—creating rain, snow, and sleet which drives rivers, runoff and [[cloud formation]]—then releases the latent heat into the atmosphere. This allows [[hydropower]] to capture energy as well, of which humans use ~ 1 TW.<ref name =OECD />

	Roughly 1%,<ref name = "Wolfson"/> or 1700 TW is turned into the energy of wind and ocean currents. This moves air and water all over the planet, which transfers the heat held in the motion of the molecules of the gas or liquid.		Roughly 1%,<ref name = "Wolfson"/> or 1700 TW is turned into the energy of wind and ocean currents. This moves air and water all over the planet, which transfers the heat held in the motion of the molecules of the gas or liquid.

	A very small amount, only around 0.08%, of the initial energy ~~or 140 TW~~ gets captured by [[photosynthesis]], giving energy to plants.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This photosynthesis then allows plants to absorb [[carbon]] from the atmosphere in the form of [[carbon dioxide]]. ~~From this 140 TW comes almost~~ all of the energy used to power life. Plants get their energy from this photosynthesis and then animals either eat plants to get this energy, or eat animals that eat these plants to get this energy. When the plants and animals die, they may become [[fossil fuel]]s. However, ~~this~~ takes a significant time ~~for this to occur -~~ [[timescale of the universe\|millions of years]]. Although the [[fossil fuel formation\|formation of fossil fuel]]s isn't straightforward, most of the [[chemical energy]] stored in these plants and animals decays to thermal energy in the atmosphere.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> The fossil fuels used by humans amount to about 14 TW (of the 16 TW of [[primary energy]] used by humans).<ref name =OECD />		A very small amount (only around 0.08% or 140 TW) of the initial energy gets captured by [[photosynthesis]], giving energy to plants.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This photosynthesis then allows plants to absorb [[carbon]] from the atmosphere in the form of [[carbon dioxide]].Almost all the energy used to power life comes from this 140 TW. Plants get their energy from this photosynthesis and then animals either eat plants to get this energy, or eat animals that eat these plants to get this energy. When the plants and animals die, they may become [[fossil fuel]]s. However, it takes a significant time ([[timescale of the universe\|millions of years]]) for this to occur. Although the [[fossil fuel formation\|formation of fossil fuel]]s isn't straightforward, most of the [[chemical energy]] stored in these plants and animals decays to thermal energy in the atmosphere.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> The fossil fuels used by humans amount to about 14 TW (of the 16 TW of [[primary energy]] used by humans).<ref name =OECD />

	===Other Flows===		===Other Flows===
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	==Balance==		==Balance==
	The Earth then radiates power from all of the flows back into space in the form of thermal radiation. The Earth stays nearly totally balanced in terms of its temperature due to how the flows interact with each other and how solar energy reaches the Earth. This is due to Earth's energy budget. Increases in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and [[methane]] are leading to slightly less heat being radiated into space than the amount of energy coming in. This difference amounts to roughly <m>1 \frac{W}{m^2}</m>, a very small difference. Over several decades this <m>1 \frac{W}{m^2}</m> has led to a [[climate change\|warming climate]] especially [[ocean heat\|warmer oceans]], even though it is a seemingly insignificant power, equating to the output of roughly 1 Christmas tree light for every square meter of Earth's surface.<ref name = "Wolfson"/>		The Earth then radiates power from all of the flows back into space in the form of thermal radiation. The Earth stays nearly totally balanced in terms of its temperature due to how the flows interact with each other and how solar energy reaches the Earth. This is due to Earth's energy budget. Increases in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and [[methane]] are leading to slightly less heat being radiated into space than the amount of energy coming in. This difference amounts to roughly <math>1 \frac{W}{m^2}</math>, a very small difference. Over several decades this <math>1 \frac{W}{m^2}</math> has led to a [[climate change\|warming climate]] especially [[ocean heat\|warmer oceans]], even though it is a seemingly insignificant power, equating to the output of roughly 1 Christmas tree light for every square meter of Earth's surface.<ref name = "Wolfson"/>

			==For Further Reading==
			*[[Sun]]
			*[[Climate vs weather]]
			*[[Fuel vs flow]]
			*[[Solar power]]
			*[[Geothermal energy]]
			*[[Nuclear energy]]
			*Or explore a [[Special:Random\|random page]]
	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Uploaded]]		[[Category:Uploaded]]
	~~[[category: Ed edit]]~~

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2016-02-18T04:31:17Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 04:31, 18 February 2016
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Jmdonev at 03:02, 10 January 2016

2016-01-10T03:02:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:02, 10 January 2016
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[category:371 topics]]		[[category:371 topics]]
	[[category:Lecture 1B_Human_effects]]		[[category:Lecture 1B_Human_effects]]
	[[Category:Done ~~2015~~-06-11]]		[[Category:Done 2016-01-15]]
	[[category:fuels]]		[[category:fuels]]
	[[category:energy flows]]		[[category:energy flows]]
	The [[weather]] and [[climate]] on the Earth are dictated by the amount of [[solar energy to the Earth\|incoming energy]] from the Sun. [[Earth's energy budget]] explains that if the incoming and outgoing [[radiation]] are equal, then the climate is in equilibrium. This balance is achieved or not achieved depending on how this incoming [[energy]] interacts with the Earth and objects on it through phenomenon such as scattering, reflection, absorption, and energy transformations. Energy can be stored, transported in a variety of forms, or converted among different types of energy. Overall, how energy acts once it has reached the Earth plays a significant roll in the Earth's climate. <onlyinclude> '''Energy flows''' are the energy transformations and movement that occur once energy has reached the Earth. These flows describe how energy is distributed and how it interacts with objects, determining certain climate properties.</onlyinclude><ref>Kevin E. Trenberth- APS Physics. (April 28, 2015). ''Changes in the Flow of Energy through the Earth’s Climate System'' [Online]. Available: http://www.aps.org/units/fps/newsletters/200904/trenberth.cfm</ref>		The [[weather]] and [[climate]] on the Earth are dictated by the amount of [[solar energy to the Earth\|incoming energy]] from the Sun. [[Earth's energy budget]] explains that if the incoming and outgoing [[radiation]] are equal, then the climate is in equilibrium. This balance is achieved or not achieved depending on how this incoming [[energy]] interacts with the Earth and objects on it through phenomenon such as scattering, reflection, absorption, and energy transformations. Energy can be stored, transported in a variety of forms, or converted among different types of energy. Overall, how energy acts once it has reached the Earth plays a significant roll in the Earth's climate. <onlyinclude> '''Energy flows''' are the energy transformations and movement that occur once energy has reached the Earth. These flows describe how energy is distributed and how it interacts with objects, determining certain climate properties.</onlyinclude><ref>Kevin E. Trenberth- APS Physics. (April 28, 2015). ''Changes in the Flow of Energy through the Earth’s Climate System'' [Online]. Available: http://www.aps.org/units/fps/newsletters/200904/trenberth.cfm</ref>
	[[File:~~flows3~~.png\|~~400px~~\|~~framed~~\|center\|Figure 1. Energy flows on the Earth.<ref name=in>''Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref><ref name= "Wolfson"/>]]		[[File:energyflowrev4.png\|780px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 1. Energy flows on the Earth.<ref name=in>''Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref><ref name= "Wolfson"/>]]

	All of the energy that is incident upon the Earth acts in different ways. Of all of the [[solar energy]] that is output by the sun, only 70% of this reaches the surface of the Earth in some way. Once this 70% reaches the Earth, the energy moves in different forms in pathways. The majority of the [[energy]] that the Earth receives is from the [[Sun]], only 0.03% comes from other sources. This can be seen in Figure 1. This makes the ''solar flow'' the most dominant energy flow. In total, 174,000 [[watt\|TW]] of power - that's the energy of roughly 4 [[~~mtoe~~\|million tonnes of oil]] every [[second]] - is incident upon the Earth. While this is a small portion of the 410,000,000,000,000 TW of power the Sun puts out in all directions, it is still a great deal of energy.		All of the energy that is incident upon the Earth acts in different ways. Of all of the [[solar energy]] that is output by the sun, only 70% of this reaches the surface of the Earth in some way. Once this 70% reaches the Earth, the energy moves in different forms in pathways. The majority of the [[energy]] that the Earth receives is from the [[Sun]], only 0.03% comes from other sources. This can be seen in Figure 1. This makes the ''solar flow'' the most dominant energy flow. In total, 174,000 [[watt\|TW]] of power - that's the energy of roughly 4 [[tonne of oil equivalent\|million tonnes of oil]] every [[second]] - is incident upon the Earth. While this is a small portion of the 410,000,000,000,000 TW of power the Sun puts out in all directions, it is still a great deal of energy.

	==Flows on the Earths Surface==		==Flows on the Earths Surface==
Line 14:		Line 14:
	===Solar Flow===		===Solar Flow===
	[[File:solarflow3.png\|400px\|framed\|center\|Figure 2. Specific pathways within the dominant solar flow.<ref name=in/><ref name= "Wolfson"/>]]		[[File:solarflow3.png\|400px\|framed\|center\|Figure 2. Specific pathways within the dominant solar flow.<ref name=in/><ref name= "Wolfson"/>]]
	From the 174 000 TW delivered to Earth, an average value of <m>1360 \frac{W}{m^2}</m> is determined to be the power incident on one square meter of land. However, this value is averaged over the planet and becomes <m>340 \frac{W}{m^2}</m>. See [[solar energy to the Earth\|this page]] for a more thorough derivation of these values. Of this power, approximately 30% is reflected back into space with reflection due to the atmosphere, [[cloud]]s, the [[ocean]], [[land]] and [[ice caps]].<ref name = "Wolfson">R. Wolfson, Figure 1-08 in ''Energy, Environment and Climate,'' 2nd ed. New York, U.S.A.: Norton, 2012, pp. 20–21</ref>		From the 174 000 TW delivered to Earth, an average value of <m>1360 \frac{W}{m^2}</m> is determined to be the power incident on one square meter of land. However, this value is averaged over the planet and becomes <m>340 \frac{W}{m^2}</m>. See [[solar energy to the Earth\|this page]] for a more thorough derivation of these values. Of this power, approximately 30% is reflected back into space with reflection due to the atmosphere, [[cloud]]s, the [[ocean]], land and [[ice caps]].<ref name = "Wolfson">R. Wolfson, Figure 1-08 in ''Energy, Environment and Climate,'' 2nd ed. New York, U.S.A.: Norton, 2012, pp. 20–21</ref>

	The remaining 120 000 TW, or approximately 70% of the initial energy, that reaches the surface of the Earth comes down and warms the [[atmosphere]].<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This portion of the pathway can be seen in Figure 2. In the atmosphere, [[greenhouse gases\|greenhouse gas]] molecules absorb this thermal energy, and their [[temperature]]s rise. After this absorption, the gases radiate thermal energy back out in all directions. This thermal energy then radiates back out into space. It is this phenomenon that warms the surface through the natural [[greenhouse effect]].<ref name="NASA">NASA Earth Observatory. (March 4, 2015). ''Climate and Earth's Energy Budget'' [Online]. Available: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/EnergyBalance/printall.php</ref> Approximately 78 300 TW of energy are used to keep the atmosphere warm in this manner, resulting in the average temperature staying at [[Celsius\|15°C]] or [[Kelvin\|288 K]].		The remaining 120 000 TW, or approximately 70% of the initial energy, that reaches the surface of the Earth comes down and warms the [[atmosphere]].<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This portion of the pathway can be seen in Figure 2. In the atmosphere, [[greenhouse gases\|greenhouse gas]] molecules absorb this thermal energy, and their [[temperature]]s rise. After this absorption, the gases radiate thermal energy back out in all directions. This thermal energy then radiates back out into space. It is this phenomenon that warms the surface through the natural [[greenhouse effect]].<ref name="NASA">NASA Earth Observatory. (March 4, 2015). ''Climate and Earth's Energy Budget'' [Online]. Available: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/EnergyBalance/printall.php</ref> Approximately 78 300 TW of energy are used to keep the atmosphere warm in this manner, resulting in the average temperature staying at [[Celsius\|15°C]] or [[Kelvin\|288 K]].
	From the original incoming energy, approximately 23% or 40,000 TW<ref name = "Wolfson"/> [[evaporate]]s [[water]] and runs the [[hydrologic cycle]]. Here, [[liquid]] water molecules absorb incoming energy and [[phase change\|change phase]] from liquid to [[gas]]. The energy it took to evaporate this water is then [[latent heat\|latent]] in the motion of the [[water vapour\|vapour]] molecules.<ref name="NASA"/> The molecules can then condense, creating rain, snow, and sleet which drives rivers, runoff and [[cloud formation]] and releasing the latent heat into the atmosphere. This allows [[hydropower]] to capture energy as well, of which humans use ~ 1 TW.<ref name =OECD />		From the original incoming energy, approximately 23% or 40,000 TW<ref name = "Wolfson"/> [[evaporation\|evaporate]]s [[water]] and runs the [[hydrologic cycle]]. Here, [[liquid]] water molecules absorb incoming energy and [[phase change\|change phase]] from liquid to [[gas]]. The energy it took to evaporate this water is then [[latent heat\|latent]] in the motion of the [[water vapour\|vapour]] molecules.<ref name="NASA"/> The molecules can then condense, creating rain, snow, and sleet which drives rivers, runoff and [[cloud formation]] and releasing the latent heat into the atmosphere. This allows [[hydropower]] to capture energy as well, of which humans use ~ 1 TW.<ref name =OECD />

	Roughly 1%,<ref name = "Wolfson"/> or 1700 TW is turned into the energy of wind and ocean currents. This moves air and water all over the planet, which transfers the heat held in the motion of the molecules of the gas or liquid.		Roughly 1%,<ref name = "Wolfson"/> or 1700 TW is turned into the energy of wind and ocean currents. This moves air and water all over the planet, which transfers the heat held in the motion of the molecules of the gas or liquid.

	A very small amount, only around 0.08%, of the initial energy or 140 TW gets captured by [[photosynthesis]], giving energy to plants.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This photosynthesis then allows plants to absorb [[carbon]] from the atmosphere in the form of [[carbon dioxide]]. From this 140 TW comes almost all of the energy used to power life. Plants get their energy from this photosynthesis and then animals either eat plants to get this energy, or eat animals that eat these plants to get this energy. When the plants and animals die, they may become [[fossil fuel]]s. However, this takes a significant time for this to occur - [[timescale of the universe\|millions of years]]. Although the [[formation of fossil fuel]]s isn't straightforward, most of the [[chemical energy]] stored in these plants and animals decays to thermal energy in the atmosphere.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> The fossil fuels used by humans amount to about 14 TW (of the 16 TW of [[primary energy]] used by humans).<ref name =OECD />		A very small amount, only around 0.08%, of the initial energy or 140 TW gets captured by [[photosynthesis]], giving energy to plants.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This photosynthesis then allows plants to absorb [[carbon]] from the atmosphere in the form of [[carbon dioxide]]. From this 140 TW comes almost all of the energy used to power life. Plants get their energy from this photosynthesis and then animals either eat plants to get this energy, or eat animals that eat these plants to get this energy. When the plants and animals die, they may become [[fossil fuel]]s. However, this takes a significant time for this to occur - [[timescale of the universe\|millions of years]]. Although the [[fossil fuel formation\|formation of fossil fuel]]s isn't straightforward, most of the [[chemical energy]] stored in these plants and animals decays to thermal energy in the atmosphere.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> The fossil fuels used by humans amount to about 14 TW (of the 16 TW of [[primary energy]] used by humans).<ref name =OECD />

	===Other Flows===		===Other Flows===
Line 29:		Line 29:

	==Balance==		==Balance==
	The Earth then radiates power from all of the flows back into space in the form of thermal radiation. The Earth stays nearly totally balanced in terms of its temperature due to how the flows interact with each other and how solar energy reaches the Earth. This is due to Earth's energy budget. Increases in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and [[methane]] are leading to slightly less heat being radiated into space than the amount of energy coming in. This difference amounts to roughly <m>1 \frac{W}{m^2}</m>, a very small difference. Over several decades this <m>1 \frac{W}{m^2}</m> has led to a [[climate change\|warming climate]] especially [[warmer ~~ocean~~]]s, even though it is a seemingly insignificant power, equating to the output of roughly 1 Christmas tree light for every square meter of Earth's surface.<ref name = "Wolfson"/>		The Earth then radiates power from all of the flows back into space in the form of thermal radiation. The Earth stays nearly totally balanced in terms of its temperature due to how the flows interact with each other and how solar energy reaches the Earth. This is due to Earth's energy budget. Increases in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and [[methane]] are leading to slightly less heat being radiated into space than the amount of energy coming in. This difference amounts to roughly <m>1 \frac{W}{m^2}</m>, a very small difference. Over several decades this <m>1 \frac{W}{m^2}</m> has led to a [[climate change\|warming climate]] especially [[ocean heat\|warmer oceans]], even though it is a seemingly insignificant power, equating to the output of roughly 1 Christmas tree light for every square meter of Earth's surface.<ref name = "Wolfson"/>

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Uploaded]]		[[Category:Uploaded]]
			[[category: Ed edit]]

J.williams: 1 revision imported

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[[category:371 topics]]
[[category:Lecture 1B_Human_effects]]
[[Category:Done 2015-06-11]]
[[category:fuels]]
[[category:energy flows]]
The [[weather]] and [[climate]] on the Earth are dictated by the amount of [[solar energy to the Earth|incoming energy]] from the Sun. [[Earth's energy budget]] explains that if the incoming and outgoing [[radiation]] are equal, then the climate is in equilibrium. This balance is achieved or not achieved depending on how this incoming [[energy]] interacts with the Earth and objects on it through phenomenon such as scattering, reflection, absorption, and energy transformations. Energy can be stored, transported in a variety of forms, or converted among different types of energy. Overall, how energy acts once it has reached the Earth plays a significant roll in the Earth's climate. <onlyinclude> '''Energy flows''' are the energy transformations and movement that occur once energy has reached the Earth. These flows describe how energy is distributed and how it interacts with objects, determining certain climate properties.</onlyinclude><ref>Kevin E. Trenberth- APS Physics. (April 28, 2015). ''Changes in the Flow of Energy through the Earth’s Climate System'' [Online]. Available: http://www.aps.org/units/fps/newsletters/200904/trenberth.cfm</ref>
[[File:flows3.png|400px|framed|center|Figure 1. Energy flows on the Earth.<ref name=in>''Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref><ref name= "Wolfson"/>]]

All of the energy that is incident upon the Earth acts in different ways. Of all of the [[solar energy]] that is output by the sun, only 70% of this reaches the surface of the Earth in some way. Once this 70% reaches the Earth, the energy moves in different forms in pathways. The majority of the [[energy]] that the Earth receives is from the [[Sun]], only 0.03% comes from other sources. This can be seen in Figure 1. This makes the ''solar flow'' the most dominant energy flow. In total, 174,000 [[watt|TW]] of power - that's the energy of roughly 4 [[mtoe|million tonnes of oil]] every [[second]] - is incident upon the Earth. While this is a small portion of the 410,000,000,000,000 TW of power the Sun puts out in all directions, it is still a great deal of energy.

==Flows on the Earths Surface==
Although the solar energy flow is the most dominant flow, it is not the only source of energy on the Earth. Energy from the use of [[nuclear fuel]]s, as well as energy due to the [[tidal power|tides]] and the [[thermal energy]] from the centre of the Earth all contributes to the total energy on the Earth. Although these flows contribute much less, they are still vital in ensuring that the Earth is in an energy balance.

===Solar Flow===
[[File:solarflow3.png|400px|framed|center|Figure 2. Specific pathways within the dominant solar flow.<ref name=in/><ref name= "Wolfson"/>]]
From the 174 000 TW delivered to Earth, an average value of <m>1360 \frac{W}{m^2}</m> is determined to be the power incident on one square meter of land. However, this value is averaged over the planet and becomes <m>340 \frac{W}{m^2}</m>. See [[solar energy to the Earth|this page]] for a more thorough derivation of these values. Of this power, approximately 30% is reflected back into space with reflection due to the atmosphere, [[cloud]]s, the [[ocean]], [[land]] and [[ice caps]].<ref name = "Wolfson">R. Wolfson, Figure 1-08 in ''Energy, Environment and Climate,'' 2nd ed. New York, U.S.A.: Norton, 2012, pp. 20–21</ref>

The remaining 120 000 TW, or approximately 70% of the initial energy, that reaches the surface of the Earth comes down and warms the [[atmosphere]].<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This portion of the pathway can be seen in Figure 2. In the atmosphere, [[greenhouse gases|greenhouse gas]] molecules absorb this thermal energy, and their [[temperature]]s rise. After this absorption, the gases radiate thermal energy back out in all directions. This thermal energy then radiates back out into space. It is this phenomenon that warms the surface through the natural [[greenhouse effect]].<ref name="NASA">NASA Earth Observatory. (March 4, 2015). ''Climate and Earth's Energy Budget'' [Online]. Available: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/EnergyBalance/printall.php</ref> Approximately 78 300 TW of energy are used to keep the atmosphere warm in this manner, resulting in the average temperature staying at [[Celsius|15°C]] or [[Kelvin|288 K]].
From the original incoming energy, approximately 23% or 40,000 TW<ref name = "Wolfson"/> [[evaporate]]s [[water]] and runs the [[hydrologic cycle]]. Here, [[liquid]] water molecules absorb incoming energy and [[phase change|change phase]] from liquid to [[gas]]. The energy it took to evaporate this water is then [[latent heat|latent]] in the motion of the [[water vapour|vapour]] molecules.<ref name="NASA"/> The molecules can then condense, creating rain, snow, and sleet which drives rivers, runoff and [[cloud formation]] and releasing the latent heat into the atmosphere. This allows [[hydropower]] to capture energy as well, of which humans use ~ 1 TW.<ref name =OECD />

Roughly 1%,<ref name = "Wolfson"/> or 1700 TW is turned into the energy of wind and ocean currents. This moves air and water all over the planet, which transfers the heat held in the motion of the molecules of the gas or liquid.

A very small amount, only around 0.08%, of the initial energy or 140 TW gets captured by [[photosynthesis]], giving energy to plants.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This photosynthesis then allows plants to absorb [[carbon]] from the atmosphere in the form of [[carbon dioxide]]. From this 140 TW comes almost all of the energy used to power life. Plants get their energy from this photosynthesis and then animals either eat plants to get this energy, or eat animals that eat these plants to get this energy. When the plants and animals die, they may become [[fossil fuel]]s. However, this takes a significant time for this to occur - [[timescale of the universe|millions of years]]. Although the [[formation of fossil fuel]]s isn't straightforward, most of the [[chemical energy]] stored in these plants and animals decays to thermal energy in the atmosphere.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> The fossil fuels used by humans amount to about 14 TW (of the 16 TW of [[primary energy]] used by humans).<ref name =OECD />

===Other Flows===
In addition to the solar flow, the '''nuclear flow''' contributes to the overall energy on the Earth. Humans use around 1 TW of nuclear fuels,<ref name =OECD> Data taken from oecd.org (the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) accessed October 30th, 2014</ref> and this energy does not originate from the Sun. Instead, nuclear fuels are left over from the explosion that started the solar system. This 1 TW is part of the 0.02% that doesn't come from the sun.

As well, the '''geothermal flow''' is another energy source that doesn't originate from the Sun. The [[geothermal energy]] coming through the [[Cross section of the Earth|Earth's crust]] is roughly 44 TW or approximately 0.025%.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> The rest of the power that doesn't come from the Sun is the ~3 TW or 0.0017% coming from tidal forces acting between the Earth and Moon.<ref name = "Wolfson"/> This small flow is known as the '''tidal flow'''.

==Balance==
The Earth then radiates power from all of the flows back into space in the form of thermal radiation. The Earth stays nearly totally balanced in terms of its temperature due to how the flows interact with each other and how solar energy reaches the Earth. This is due to Earth's energy budget. Increases in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and [[methane]] are leading to slightly less heat being radiated into space than the amount of energy coming in. This difference amounts to roughly <m>1 \frac{W}{m^2}</m>, a very small difference. Over several decades this <m>1 \frac{W}{m^2}</m> has led to a [[climate change|warming climate]] especially [[warmer ocean]]s, even though it is a seemingly insignificant power, equating to the output of roughly 1 Christmas tree light for every square meter of Earth's surface.<ref name = "Wolfson"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Uploaded]]