ESS361H1 Study Guide - Comprehensive Final Guide: Vapor Pressure, C4 Carbon Fixation, Feeder
Document Summary
Just as the incoming and outgoing energy at the earth"s surface must balance, the flow of energy into the atmosphere must be balanced by an equal flow of energy out of the atmosphere and back to space. This flow of energy travels as a form of radiation. Black body is a theoretically perfect radiator (doesn"t exist!) Equation: el = el / el e = emissivity (the amount of energy that is emitted) of an object l = any given wavelength. Kirchoff"s law (gustav) says anything that absorbs energy, emits energy! Equation: el = al el = emissivity at a particular wavelength al = absorption at particular wavelength. Higher the number, higher the ability to absorb/emit. Lower the number, lower the ability to absorb/emit e. g. tropical forest (0. 99 e) Lower the number, lower the ability to absorb/emit e. g. tropical forest (0. 99 e) e. g. snow covered vegetation (0. 88 e) Black body is perfect: 1 (absorbs all, emits all)
