Radiation and the Earth’s Atmosphere

Radiation and the Earth’s Atmosphere

http://telstar.ote.cmu.edu/environ/m3/s2/index.shtml

Ask not what your atmosphere can do for you…..

Ask not what your atmosphere can do for you…..

The atmosphere maintains the long-term climate, the short-term weather, and the temperature conditions on Earth.

Several factors involved…– Energy (from the sun produces the movements

or currents)– Earth's movement relative to the sun– components of the atmosphere– components of Earth's surface

The atmosphere maintains the long-term climate, the short-term weather, and the temperature conditions on Earth.

Several factors involved…– Energy (from the sun produces the movements

or currents)– Earth's movement relative to the sun– components of the atmosphere– components of Earth's surface

The Earth Sun SystemThe Earth Sun System

The atmosphere can changeThe atmosphere can change

In the last century especially, this system--which evolved over billions of years--has

been subject to rapid changes due to industrial activities increasing at

unprecedented rates.

In the last century especially, this system--which evolved over billions of years--has

been subject to rapid changes due to industrial activities increasing at

unprecedented rates.

Structure of the AtmosphereStructure of the Atmosphere

An ocean of air

Temperature changes

Stable layers

An ocean of air

Temperature changes

Stable layers

The Thermosphere dilemnaThe Thermosphere dilemna

How can 1,ooo degress feel cool??

What is heat? What is temperature?

How can 1,ooo degress feel cool??

What is heat? What is temperature?

Heat and TemperaureHeat and Temperaure

Heat is the thermal energy that is transferred from a warmer object to a cooler object.

Temperature a number that is related to the average kinetic energy of the molecules

Thermosphere: Very few molecules, Moving very fast. They have high temperature (I.e. KE), but not enough of them to transfer much heat (I.e warm up something)

Heat is the thermal energy that is transferred from a warmer object to a cooler object.

Temperature a number that is related to the average kinetic energy of the molecules

Thermosphere: Very few molecules, Moving very fast. They have high temperature (I.e. KE), but not enough of them to transfer much heat (I.e warm up something)

Sun’s emission spectrumSun’s emission spectrum

The range of wavelengths that fall on top of the Earth's atmosphere

The range of wavelengths that fall on top of the Earth's atmosphere

Minor amounts of X-ray.

Measured as

1370-1380 watts/m2

How much Energy gets through?How much Energy gets through?

Molecules responsible for absorptionMolecules responsible for absorption

‘Windows’ of Opportunity‘Windows’ of Opportunity

The Solar ConstantThe Solar Constant

The Energy LabThe Energy Lab

Problem: How much energy arrives in our school yard from Sun?

What to do: Compare our ground level measurement with the 1370 W/m2 at the top of the atmosphere.

Problem: How much energy arrives in our school yard from Sun?

What to do: Compare our ground level measurement with the 1370 W/m2 at the top of the atmosphere.

Measuring Energy from the SunMeasuring Energy from the Sun

Lab: http://csc.gallaudet.edu/soarhigh/

SHMA330.HTM

Photos: http://sci.gallaudet.edu/Mary/classpics01/elab20014th.html

Lab: http://csc.gallaudet.edu/soarhigh/

SHMA330.HTM

Photos: http://sci.gallaudet.edu/Mary/classpics01/elab20014th.html