ENERGY BUDGET

Question 1

Transmission

Answer 1

Energy that passes through the atmosphere WITHOUT interacting with the gas or other particles in the atmosphere.

Question 2

Scattering

Answer 2

The process by which light bounces off (not absorbed) an obstacle in MANY directions

Question 3

Rayleigh (selective) scattering

Answer 3

Relates wavelength to the size of molecules or particles that cause scattering

Question 4

Mie Scattering

Answer 4

Any scattering produced by spherical particles whose diameters are greater than 1/10 the wavelength (cloud droplets or dust) of the scattered radiation

Question 5

Refraction

Answer 5

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another

*causes a change in speed and a change in direction (bending action =___)

Question 6

Rainbows

Answer 6

Visible light passes through raindrops and is REFRACTED and REFLECTED at precise angles

Question 7

Mirage

Answer 7

Light waves are REFRACTED by layers of air and different temperatures due to refraction. It looks like a a bright and bluish patch on the ground.

Question 8

Reflection

Answer 8

A portion of insulation bounces directly back into space without being absorbed

Question 9

Absorption

Answer 9

The assimilation of radiation by molecules of matter and its conversion from one form of energy to another
*Any insolation that is not part of the 31% reflected from Earths atmosphere and surface is absorbed
*it is converted by plants in photosynthesis or longwave radiation

Question 10

Rayleigh SCATTERING color rules

Answer 10

The SHORTER the wavelength, the GREATER the scattering
*Shorter wavelengths (more direct) of visible light (blues and violets) scatter the MOST
- During the DAY (noon) BLUE light (shorter wavelengths) most readily scattered That’s what you see!!!
*When the sun is at low altitude (less direct), rays travel further through
atmosphere, leaving only oranges and reds
-During SUNSET, low sun angles, blue light is so scattered that it is eventually absorbed and only scattering of RED light is visible

Question 11

White Clouds

Answer 11

Due to Mie Scattering, __ light is scattered in all directions. Some light penetrates to cloud base. sunlight is scattered by much larger water droplets. These scatter all colours almost equally meaning that the sunlight continues to remain ___ and so making the clouds appear ___ against the background of the blue sky.

Question 12

Albedo

Answer 12

The REFLECTIVE quality of a surface
*Important control over the amount of insolation that is available for absorption at the surface

Question 13

Earths Average Albedo

Answer 13

31%

Question 14

Colors Effect on Albedo

Answer 14

*Lighter color = Higher reflectivity(albedo) = Lower absorption

*Darker color = Lower reflectivity(albedo) = Higher absorption

Question 15

Conduction

Answer 15

Process by which energy is transferred through a substance or between objects in DIRECT contact

*Molecule to molecule transfer

*Thermal energy from HIGH temperature to LOW temperature (temperature gradient)
-Conductivity of material

Question 16

Convection

Answer 16

The transfer of heat through movement of mass within a fluid (liquid or gas)

*Transfer of heat involving the movement or circulation of a substance

*(1) Vertical mixing up and down movement

*(2) Physical mixing
-warm(less dense) air/water rises
-cold(denser)

Question 17

Advection

Answer 17

Horizontal dominant movement (wind)

*side to side movement

Question 18

Radiation

Answer 18

Process by which wave energy travels through the vacuum of space or through a physical medium such as air or water

*__ is energy that is propagated in the form in electromagnetic wave

*Our eyes see wavelengths in the visible light portion of the spectrum

Question 19

The Greenhouse Effect

Answer 19

The way in which heat is trapped close to Earth’s surface by “greenhouse gases.” These heat trapping gases can be thought of as a blanket wrapped around Earth.

*About half of incoming long wave radiation energy emitted by the earth passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed by gases (CO2, Methane, water, nitrous oxides, CFCs, etc.)

*A real greenhouse TRAPS heat inside

*Greenhouse gases radiant long wave energy back to Earth
-Delaying the transfer of heat from Earth into space

Question 20

What process regulates Earth’s temperature

Answer 20

The Greenhouse Effect

Question 21

Atmospheric Warming

Answer 21

The atmosphere absorbs heat energy

*Atmospheric Window
-Atmosphere MOSTLY TRANSPARENT to shortwave radiation from the sun
•Ozone removes much of the UV energy
•Most visible light is transmitted to the Earth’s surface

*Atmosphere LESS TRANSPARENT to longwave radiation from Earth
*Water vapor absorbs around 60% of outgoing longwave energy

Question 22

Earth’s Temperature Without the Atmosphere

Answer 22

*Earth Without Atmosphere
•Forecasted Surface Temp= -18c (0F)
*Effect of Atmosphere
15c-(-18c)=+33c (91F)
*Earth With Atmosphere
•Observed Surface Temp= 15c (59F)