What is radiative forcing? Give example for the types.
It is the change in energy balance. This can be local or global.
Local: Urbanization changes the characteristics of the surface making local radiative forcing
Global: Greenhouse gasses altering the composition of the atmosphere making a global radiative forcing
In what form does the earth intercept solar radiation?
Using the area of a circle and the solar constant
How do you get energy budget of earth?
absorbed solar radiation - outgoing radiation = energy budget
Where is planetary albedo the lowest and highest?
Highest in the poles lowest at deep water oceans
What is OLR where is it the greatest?
Outgoing longwave radiation
Greater over warm deserts and tropical ocean.
What is meridional transport?
transport of energy from the tropics to the poles
What is net short wave radiation?
Difference between incoming radiation and the amount reflected
K* = K (in) - K (out)
What is net longwave radiation dependant on?
(know for midterm exam)(stefan boltzmann used here)
Differences in temperature and emissivity, where clouds and other obstructions can have an important role
What is the surface energy balance?
Q* = Qh + Qe + Qg
net radiative flux of energy into a surface (Q*)
Qh: sensible heat flux from the surface to the atmosphere
Qe: latent heaf flux from the surface to the atmosphere
Qg: Sensible heat flux from the surface to the ground
What is sensible heat flux (Qh)
energy transferred between the surface and air when there is a temperature gradient present. It can be felt as a rise or fall in the temperature of the air
What is latent heat flux (Qe)
Energy released or required for the change in state
what is ground heat flux (Qg)
heat transfered into the ground via conduction, is generally smaller than sensible and latent heat fluxes
Incoming solar radiation reaching the earths surface:
a) absorbed only by water bodies on Earth
b) represents about 50% of the amount that was at the top of the atmosphere
c) is unaffected by the surface albedo
d) none of the above
C
however outgoing solar radiation IS effected by surface albedo
Why is energy budget more complex at the surface compared to the atmosphere
at the surface you have to also consider the heat transfer from conduction and convection along with radiation.
