GEOG 2050 : Geography Study Guide Exam 2
Document Summary
Atmosphere functions as a filter- absorbs gamma rays, x-rays, uv allows visible light to reach earth"s surface. Energy essentials energy pathways- short wave energy from the sun (coming in), long wave energy from earth (energy going out) Transmission- passage of energy through atmosphere or water. Insolation input- all radiation received at earth"s surface, direct and indirect. Energy pathways insolation in the atmosphere encounters gases, dust, clouds, and smoke. Rayleigh scattering: shorter wavelengths, greater scattering (violet to blue, smaller molecules) Longer wavelengths, less scattering (orange to red, larger molecules) at noon, blue light (shorter wavelengths) most readily scattered- this is why the sky is. Blue at low sun angles, blue light is so scattered that is it eventually absorbed by atmosphere, and only scattering of red light is visible. Energy gained and los by earth surface. Expressed as a %, percent of insolation reflected. Figure 4. 7 in 7th edition or 4. 6 in 8th edition.
