3. The energy stored in the motion of the atmosphere (winds) can be thought of a
ID: 288236 • Letter: 3
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3. The energy stored in the motion of the atmosphere (winds) can be thought of as a stock, andis estimated to be about 10 exajoules. The rate at which solar eneray is expended to drive the winds- that is, the inflow that maintains this "stock" of kinetic energy in the form of the motion of air-s estimated to be about 1000 terawatts (TW). a) Briefly explain what natural process(es) comprises the outflow from this stock of wind energy. (Sketching a box model might help you conceive of it) [5 pts b) Calculate the residence time of the energy in the wind (remember to state your assumptionsl). [3 pts] c) Briefly explain what "residence time" means physically in this particular example, and also explain what it means in the case of energy stocks and flows in general. 15 pts)Explanation / Answer
a) The various natural processes that comprises the outflow of the energy are:
The heating up of ocean due to the hot air that passes over the ocean.
The energy needed for evaporation and transpiration.
The erosion and transportation of sediments by these winds.
b) The resident time of the energy in the wind is normally the time when we don’t have the sun’s heat. This is because if it’s more than that then we don’t have an equilibrium between inflow and outflow of heat as the inflow would be higher if the resident time is more than that and outflow would be higher if the resident time is less than that.
c) The residence time is time for which the energy is present in the wind and when it loses that energy it cools down and comes to the surface. Again with the sun’s radiation this cold wind again gets heated and move upwards and this cycle continues forever.
In the case of general energy stock the residence time is the time for which the energy resides in any body.
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