GGR100H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Advection, Shortwave Radio, Solar Irradiance
Document Summary
We follow solar energy through the troposphere to earth"s surface. The outputs of reflected light and emitted longwave energy from the atmosphere and surface environment counter the input and outputs determine the net energy available to perform work. We examine surface energy budgets and analyses how net radiation is distributed. Insolation: sun"s radiation received at earth"s surface directly and indirectly. Insolation is the single external energy the earth-atmosphere system. Earth radiation differently at different locations by the atmosphere. Scattering: the change in direction of altering wavelengths. Many processes of energy (channels: refraction input driving experiences and scattered light, without. When traveling, there is a change in speed and direction of light. E. g. droplets refract/reflect light to produce rainbows: reflection. Involves albedo! (0% total absorption; 100% total reflection) Albedo: fancy way to say the reflective quantity or intrinsic brightness of a surface. Clouds influence tropospheric energy budget refining climatic models.
