GEOG 2050 Chapter : Geog Chap.4
Document Summary
Insolation input- all radiation received at earth"s surface- direct & indirect. Long wave energy from the earth: transmission, passage of energy through atmosphere or water. Insolation in the atmosphere encounters gases, dust, clouds, and smoke. ~ 50% of insolation makes it to the earth"s surface. These particles can either: scatter, changing direction of light"s movement without altering its wavelengths, absorb, the assimilation of radiation by molecules of matter. The conversion of energy from one form to another; heats the earth"s atmosphere: reflect insolation (light) is bounced off a surface without being absorbed or scattered, refract, change in speed and direction of light. Occurs when insolation is not absorbed, but it is bounced in all directions, like a prism: scatter agents= dust, pollutants, ice, cloud droplets, and water vapor. Diffuse radiation=the downward component of scattered light multidirectional shadowless light. Rayleigh scattering: shorter wavelengths, greater scattering (violet-blue; smaller mole. ) longer wavelengths, less scattering (red-orange; larger molecules)
