GEG-1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 26: Rayleigh Scattering, Mie Scattering, Solar Irradiance
Document Summary
Done by various gasses, aerosols and water droplets; each warmed by the absorption. Gas molecules, water droplets, and aerosols intercept certain wavelengths and send them out in all directions. Strong wave hits, many weak waves leave. Creates diffused radiation allows us to see inside shadows. Rayleigh scattering: gas molecules less that 1/10 wavelength are right size to scatter visible light selectively scattered. Sunrise and sunset: longer path through the atmosphere, so red and orange. Mie scattering: larger particles scatter less selectively, so gray sky on hazy days. Non-selective scattering: in clouds, water droplets larger than aerosols scatter different. Similar to scattering, but wavelengths just change direction ex. Albedo- 100% means all energy gets reflected. Insolation absorbed by surface: mostly visible and some infrared. Type and amount based on temp; solar: shortwave , earth, longwave . Most radiation emitted by surface absorbed in atmosphere, some shortwave also absorbed. Stuff in atmosphere heated and emits radiation also wavelength.
