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Chapter 5: Problem 2

What does air temperature indicate about energy in the atmosphere?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Air temperature indicates the level of kinetic energy in the atmosphere - higher temperatures suggest more energy because atmospheric molecules are moving faster, while lower temperatures suggest less energy as the molecules are moving slower.

Step by step solution

01

Understand What Temperature Measures

First, one must understand that temperature measures the average kinetic energy of molecules in an object. Kinetic energy is energy of motion, and the faster molecules move, the more kinetic energy they possess.
02

Apply this to Atmospheric Molecules

In relation to the atmosphere, the 'object' we're considering is the air. So in the atmosphere, the temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the atmospheric molecules. When molecules move faster (higher kinetic energy), they collide with each other more often and with more force. This results in a higher measured temperature.
03

Relate to Energy in the Atmosphere

Therefore, higher air temperature indicates more energy (in the form of kinetic energy) in the atmosphere, since the atmospheric molecules are moving faster. Conversely, lower air temperature signifies less energy in the atmosphere, as the molecules are moving slower.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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$$ \text { Distinguish between sensible heat and sensible temperature. } $$
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