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Radiation and the Earth’s Atmosphere http://telstar.ote.cmu.edu/environ/m3/s2/ index.shtml
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
