ENGR 10610 Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Water Cycle, Evapotranspiration, Energy Economics
13 Dec 2018
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Fourth quiz: energy balance of the earth. Energy = the ability to do work. Types of energy: kinetic, electromagnetic, chemical, heat. Sources of energy for the earth: radiation from the sun (sun supplies 1370 watts/m2, heat energy from the earth"s interior, motions and heat generation by tidal forces. Reflected solar energy: approximately 30% of the total, definition of albedo, diffuse reflections occur from clouds and snow, scattering occurs from particles in the atmosphere. This produces haze and the blue color of the sky. Absorption of solar energy by the ground: approximately 45-50% of incoming energy, energy absorbed by the ground is then transferred to the atmosphere or space by infrared radiation, convection, and evapotranspiration. Evapotranspiration transfers the largest amount: the atmosphere ultimately transfers the energy that it has absorbed back into space. The convection and evapotranspiration from the warm ground adds water to the atmosphere, which condenses to produce clouds and rain.
