ENERGY BUDGET Flashcards
Transmission
Energy that passes through the atmosphere WITHOUT interacting with the gas or other particles in the atmosphere.
Scattering
The process by which light bounces off (not absorbed) an obstacle in MANY directions
Rayleigh (selective) scattering
Relates wavelength to the size of molecules or particles that cause scattering
Mie Scattering
Any scattering produced by spherical particles whose diameters are greater than 1/10 the wavelength (cloud droplets or dust) of the scattered radiation
Refraction
The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another
*causes a change in speed and a change in direction (bending action =___)
Rainbows
Visible light passes through raindrops and is REFRACTED and REFLECTED at precise angles
Mirage
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.
Reflection
A portion of insulation bounces directly back into space without being absorbed
Absorption
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
Rayleigh SCATTERING color rules
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
White Clouds
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.
Albedo
The REFLECTIVE quality of a surface
*Important control over the amount of insolation that is available for absorption at the surface
Earths Average Albedo
31%
Colors Effect on Albedo
*Lighter color = Higher reflectivity(albedo) = Lower absorption
*Darker color = Lower reflectivity(albedo) = Higher absorption
Conduction
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
Convection
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)
Advection
Horizontal dominant movement (wind)
*side to side movement
Radiation
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
The Greenhouse Effect
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
What process regulates Earth’s temperature
The Greenhouse Effect
Atmospheric Warming
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
Earth’s Temperature Without the Atmosphere
*Earth Without Atmosphere
•Forecasted Surface Temp= -18c (0F)
*Effect of Atmosphere
15c-(-18c)=+33c (91F)
*Earth With Atmosphere
•Observed Surface Temp= 15c (59F)
