Energy + Atmosphere

Question 1

Atmosphre

Answer 1

4 distinct layers
composed of gases, clouds, dust
where heat transfer takes place (Troposphere)

Question 2

Scattering

Answer 2

solar light entering atmosphere collide with air, dust, cloud particles

scatters light in all directions

SW blue is the most effectively scattered

23% light scattered

Question 3

Reflection

Answer 3

light collides with clouds and earth surface
reflects mostly directly back from where light came from

Question 4

Albedo

Answer 4

lighter –> more reflectivity –> more albedo, as a percentage

8% of light reflected back to space

Question 5

Absorption

Answer 5

kinetic energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by colder substances in the atmosphere and terrestrial surface
- heat transfer by radiation!
70% absorbed

Question 6

Emission + selective absorbers

Answer 6

emitted from earth as longwave, infrared light

objects that are better at absorbing some wavelenghths over others, such as GHGs

then is re-emitted into space or back to surface (re-emission)

Question 7

Conduction + Convection in the atmosphere

Answer 7

the ground heats the air (conduction)
the warm air rises (convection) makes clouds

Question 8

Latent Heat Transfer

Answer 8

energy taken in and released by water as it transfers through different states of matter

energy from evaporation

Question 9

How does Earth maintain 15C?

Answer 9

this is how the earth’s surface stays warmer than it should be because of conservation of solar energy by selective absorbers in the atmosphere

they absorb LW radiation and re-emit some of it back to Earth