Atmosphere and Weather: Diurnal energy budgets

Question 1

Insolation

Answer 1

Short-wave radiation from the sun - the main input into the energy budget

Question 2

Reflected solar radiation

Answer 2

Insolation that is reflected by the earth’s surface back into the atmosphere - affected by albedo

Question 3

Energy absorbed into the surface and subsurface

Answer 3

Energy that reaches the earth’s surface may be conducted down into the soil during the day, whilst it may be transferred back to the surface at night and then released

Question 4

Sensible heat transfer

Answer 4

Referes to the movement of parcels of air into and out of the area being studied e.g. air that is warmed by the surface may begin to rise and be replaced by cooler air.

Question 5

Long-wave radiation

Answer 5

Refers to the radiation of energy from the Earth (a cold body) into the atmosphere and, for some of it, eventually into space (NB. there is a downward movement of long-wave radiation from particles in the atmosphere)

Question 6

Latent-heat transfer

Answer 6

Energy being used up or released in the changes of state of water

Question 7

Dew

Answer 7

Condensation on a surface when the air is saturated, generally because the temperature of the surface has dropped enough to cause condensation.

Question 8

Absorbed energy returned to Earth

Answer 8

Some LW radiation will be absorbed by water vapour and other GHGs, raising the temperature