BIOL150 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Photosynthetically Active Radiation, Landform, Evaporation
20 Jul 2016
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Document Summary
Weather: the combination of temperature, precipitation, wind, cloudiness, humidity and other atmospheric conditions occurring at a specific place and time. Climate: the long term average pattern of weather and may be described on a local, regional or global scale. Solar radiation: the electromagnetic energy emanating from the sun. When it reaches the atmosphere, molecular interactions create thermal patterns that , when coupled with earth"s rotation and revolution, generate the prevailing winds and ocean currents. Wavelength: distance between successive crests frequency: number of crests passing a given point per second hotter = shorter wavelength = more energetic photons. Solar constant: the radiation reaching earth"s atmosphere (51%) earth"s albedo: surface, clouds and atmosphere reflects 30 units back into space clouds and atmosphere absorb 19 units. 51 units of insolation: direct and indirect non reflected radiation. 7: heat the air next to earth"s surface.
