GEOG 2050 Chapter : Chapter 4
Document Summary
Atmosphere and surface energy balances: energy essentials, energy balance in the troposphere, energy balance at earth"s surface. Passage of shortwave or longwave energy through atmosphere or water. Direct- nothing getting in the way of the radiation. Diffuse- something interferes with the direct beam. All radiation received at earth"s surface- direct and indirect. Changing direction of light"s movement, without altering its wavelength. Change in speed and direction of light. Rayleigh scattering-relates wavelength to the size of molecules or particles that cause scattering. When the sun is at low- altitude, rays travel further through atmosphere, leaving only oranges. **general rule: the shorter the wavelength, the greater the scattering. Shorter wavelengths of visible light (blues and violets) scatter the most and reds. As insolation enters atmosphere, passes from empty space into atmospheric gas (changes medium) Causes a change in speed, and thus, a change in direction (bending action=refraction) Rainbows- visible light passes through raindrops and is refracted and reflected at precise angles.
