Topic 4 Flashcards
Shortwave
Shortwave is scattered by clouds and reflective surfaces like ice. The clear atmosphere is fairly transparent to it.
Longwave
Longwave is absorbed very strongly by clouds and solid surfaces and also strongly by the clear atmosphere near the surface.
Optical Depth
Absorbing path experienced by radiation.
Equals zero in space. Increases as we go downwards. Z is upwards so it has a minus sign.
Ideal Gas
The ocean is not an ideal gas.
Hydrostatic Balance
How pressure in the atmosphere and the ocean varies with height, z.
Enthalpy
Measure of atmospheric energy content.
Relative Humidity
The percentage of saturation for and atmospheric parcel with water vapour pressure e.
Saturated Air
Delta(q) = qs(Ts) - q(Ts) = 0
Completely Dry Air
q(Ts) = 0
So, delta(q) = qs(Ts)
Gross Primary Productivity
The amount of carbon taken up by the ecosystem due to photosynthesis.
Geoengineering
The deliberate intervention in the climate system to counteract man made global warming.
Heat capacity
Density x depth x specific heat capacity
Total heat capacity
4piR^2(1-f) x density x depth x specific heat capacity
m^2 column of air
M = integral from 0 to infinity of row dz
Adiabatic Processes
Heat does not enter or leave the system. First law of thermodynamics = 0.
