Heat, temperature and Atmospheric circulation---Chapter 4

Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter the student should be able to:

distinguish between heat and temperature

compare and contrast the various temperature scales

describe how temperature is measured

explain how heat is transported by conduction and convection

demonstrate how heat and temperature are related through specific heat

contrast continental climate with maritime climate

compute heating degree days and cooling degree days

explain the significance of windchill equivalent temperature

describe the inbalances in radiational heating and cooling within the earth-atmosphere system

distinguish between latent and sensible heating

explain why latent heating is more important that sensible heating on a global scale

describe the significance of a Bowen ratio

identify the various processes responsible for poleward heat transport

distinguish between radianional controls and air mass controls of air temperature

explain theseasonal and diurnal lag between radiation and temperature

describe how properties of the earth's surface influence air temperature