EARTHSC 2GG3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Shortwave Radiation, Radiative Forcing, Atmospheric Temperature

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Earth Sciences
• Course: EARTHSC 2GG3
• Professor: Luc Bernier

Document Summary

Earth is warmed by solar energy from the sun. Radiaion, in which energy is transferred outward as invisible electromagneic photons from their source. Conducion, in which heat energy vibrates molecules of material through which it passes, by direct contact of adjacent molecules. Convecion, in which heated molecules move from a higher temperature area to a lower temperature area. The amount of solar energy to reach a paricular point on earth"s surface depends on the ime of day, the ime of the year and the posiion relaive to the equator. Radiant energy from the sun reaches earth as short-wave radiaion, including visible light and heat. Atmospheric temperature is afected by the amount of energy reaching the top of earth"s atmosphere. The atmosphere insulates earth and protects it from the sun"s damaging rays. The warmed surface of earth relects long-wave (infrared) radiaion, some of which is trapped by the atmosphere.