Motion and Energy in the Atmosphere: Introduction
The atmosphere is in constant motion. At no time does this become more evident than when a storm hits. What drives this atmospheric motion that we detect around us, sometimes with just a local breeze and at other times with violent storms? The answer is a vast nuclear furnace in space called the Sun. Solar radiation from the Sun heats Earth, makes some air masses more buoyant than others, and drives all of the motion and energy we detect in the atmosphere.
In this section, you will learn about the role of the Sun in driving atmospheric motion. You will learn how and why air moves, what causes wind, and how winds blow in predictable patterns across the globe.
