L10 - Climate Modelling

Question 1

What goal would you use an empirical vs physical model for?

Answer 1

Empirical model - relationship between specific variables. Good at predicting (e.g. interpolation can predict results for similar conditions)
Physical - to study the impact of a perturbation on the whole system?

Question 2

what processes should be considered for climate modelling?

Answer 2

1. Radiative - (e.g. absorption, reflection)
2. Dynamic - horizontal and vertical transfer of energy (e.g. advection, diffusion)
3. Surface processes - (e.g. albedo, emissivity, energy exchanges)

Question 3

State variables

Answer 3

Can change in space and time. Depend on its own history

Question 4

Fluxes

Answer 4

Flow of energy/material from or to state variables

Question 5

Parameters

Answer 5

Fixed for one simulation

Question 6

Spatio-temporal models

Answer 6

different locations can be different variables

Question 7

low to high complexity models

Answer 7

EBM - energy balance model
EMIC - Earth model of intermediate complexity
GCM - global circulation mode

Question 8

global vs regional models

Answer 8

computation time and topography

Question 9

problems in climate modelling

Answer 9

1. uncertainty in processes
2. uncertainty in grid size
3. non-liner or chaotic dynamics