GGR214H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Radiative Forcing, Background Radiation, Solar Constant
Document Summary
Introduction: energy is conserved, for any system: Effective radiating temperature: the temperature at which a system radiates away as much energy as it receives. Solar radiation absorbed = terrestrial radiation emitted: balance is maintained due to a negative feedback mechanism that prevents earth"s temperature from continually rising or falling. The earth intercepts solar radiation over the area of a circle: the area is given by s re^2, the solar constant is ~ 1361 w/m2. Total amount of solar radiation at the top of the atmosphere, averaged of the total surface area of the earth ~ 341. 3 wm-2, called kex. Almost half of the energy is lost before coming to the surface. This region of the electromagnetic spectrum where infrared radiation is transferred. * losing more than we gain* through the atmosphere to space. Window can be closed by clouds (which absorb the radiation)
