2.1: diurnal energy budgets

Question 1

define atmosphere

Answer 1

the layer of gases surrounding the planet that are retained by Earth’s gravity, it protects life on earth by absorbing incoming UV solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention (greenhouse effect) and reducing temperature extremes

Question 2

define weather

Answer 2

day to day conditions of the atmosphere such as sunny, snowing. Takes temperature, precipitation, humidity and atmosphere pressure into account

Question 3

define climate

Answer 3

the long term pattern of weather in a particular area, a region’s weather patterns usually tracked for at least 30 years and could include tropical monsoon, desert, arid, maritime

Question 4

define energy (E) budget

Answer 4

the amount of energy entering a system (input), leaving (output) and being transferred (flows)

Question 5

what is incoming (short-wave) radiation influenced by?

Answer 5

the main input, influenced by latitude,season and cloud cover. Varies with angle (more oblique the less as spreads over larger s.a) and cloud type (less, higher clouds: more received)

Question 6

what is reflected solar radiation?

Answer 6

the proportion of energy reflected back. Albedo: lighter surfaces reflect more, coniferous forest 15%, fresh snow 90%

Question 7

what is surface and sub-surface absorption?

Answer 7

if a material can conduct heat, it will transfer into lower layers, otherwise surface heats up. soil and bedrock can reradiate heat at night and offset nocturnal cooling

Question 8

what is sensible heat transfer?

Answer 8

the movement of air in or out of an area e.g. in convective transfer warmer air is displaced by cooler

Question 9

what is long wave radiation?

Answer 9

• after insolation, radiation released from the Earth usually at night, readily absorbed by greenhouse gases

Question 10

what is latent heat transfer?

Answer 10

water present at surface: a proportion of E used to evaporate, when it condenses, latent heat is released: affects local cooling process at surface

Question 11

what is absorbed energy returned to Earth?

Answer 11

insolation is re-radiated by long-wave radiation, some is absorbed by water vapour and other greenhouse gases. During day, ground heats air by radiation,conduction and convection: heat transfer in fluids in which warm air rises as it is less dense and is replaced by cooler air: heating of air above surface: uplift