EESC BC 1001x Lecture 5: Lecture 5 Notes
4 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
The troposphere is composed of 78% nitrogen (n ) and 21% oxygen (o ) and co. Barometric pressure is the weight of air barometric pressure drops with increasing altitude. Earth"s energy budget (fate of the 340 w/m of incoming solar radiation) 29 percent is reflected back to space by clouds, atmospheric particles (aerosols) and bright ground surfaces like sea ice and snow. 23 percent of incoming solar energy is absorbed by clouds, atmospheric gases. 48 percent passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed by the surface. So, generally, 70% of insolation is absorbed and 30% is reflected back to space. What is the fate of the absorbed heat: evaporation of water, heat the earth"s surface, energy for photosynthesis. Gases that capture/trap long-wave radiation (heat) at the earth"s surface. Energy capture by gases in the atmosphere. Ozone at ground level is smog this is bad for breathing. Ozone in the troposphere is a greenhouse gas.
