Factors Affecting Day Engery Budget

Question 1

Insolation recieved

Answer 1

• 5% scattered back to space by smoke and particles.
• 24% reflected back by earth and clouds.
• 23% absorbed by gases.
• 48% reaches earth directly.

Question 2

Albedo

Answer 2

Low Albedo reflects little light.

High Albedo reflects lots of light.

Question 3

Low Albedo and conduction

Answer 3

Dark surfaces like Tarmac have a low Albedo and are very conductive.
Asphalt heats up soil below via conduction.
Light coloured rock like limestone is a poor conductor and has a v. Hot surface therefore.

Question 4

Latent heat transfer

Answer 4

Turning water to water vapour.
Heat needed to evaporate the water is taken from surrounding air.
Latent heat is carried in the water vapour, within convection currents.
When water is cool enough to condense, latent heat is released into the air, warming it.
Latent heat of condensation increases speed of convection.

Question 5

Influence of Clouds

Answer 5

Clouds have higher Albedo than the surface below them.
Reflecting more short wave radiation, having a net cooling effect.
Overcast sky with low cloud cover (Stratus) reflects 80% insolation.