Modelling 2

Question 1

(Basic)

What is the Energy Balance Model?

Answer 1

• the EBM assumes net global radiative balance, where the equator-pole temperature gradient determines the meridional heat transport
• 2D models (considers meridional and zonal balance)
• 1D models (considers meridional balance only)
• 0D models (only considers air and land surface)

Question 2

(Basic)

What is the radiative balance model (RBM)?

Answer 2

• assumes that the energy received from the sun equals energy emitted from the Earth
• assumes that the Earth is a blackbody

F0 = σT^4

F0 - energy emitted by Earth

F0 = (1/4) * Fs * (1 - A)

Fs - energy received by Sun
A - Earth’s albedo (0.3)

Question 3

What is the temperature of the Earth at the top of the atmosphere?

What is the temperature of the Earth on the surface?

Answer 3

Top of Earth’s atmopshere:
- 255K

Earth’s surface:
-288K

**atmosphere warmed Earth’s surface by 33K

Question 4

(Complex)

What is the Radiative-Convective Model (RCM)?

Answer 4

• takes a look at a vertical column, it represents the global average temperature
• takes into account absorption, emission and scattering of radiation
• represents convective and cloud processes
• describes transport of heat by convection and latent heat
• suitable to study GHG, aerosols, cloud-radiative interactions

Question 5

(Complex)

What is the General Circulation Model (GCM)?

Answer 5

Three types of GCM:

• 3D atmosphere only with sea surface temperature (SST)
• 3D ocean only with SST, ocean currents, air-sea fluxes, vertical turbulent diffusion
• 3D atmosphere and 3D ocean combined

Question 6

(Most Complex)

What is the Earth System Model (ESM)?

Answer 6

• model that combines atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, soil and vegetation