3. Energy BudgetEnergy Budget
Open Systems model: ShortwaveOpen Systems model: Shortwave
Energy in, Longwave Energy outEnergy in, Longwave Energy out
The Energy Budget describes whatThe Energy Budget describes what
happens to insolation after it passes thehappens to insolation after it passes the
thermopause, passes through thethermopause, passes through the
atmosphere and reaches the surface.atmosphere and reaches the surface.
Atmospheric effectsAtmospheric effects
Ground effectsGround effects
4. Insolation-AtmosphereInsolation-Atmosphere
InteractionInteraction
Refers to what happens after the interceptedRefers to what happens after the intercepted
solar radiationsolar radiation entersenters the atmospherethe atmosphere
TransmissionTransmission
Both short and long wave radiationBoth short and long wave radiation
As light encounters gas molecules andAs light encounters gas molecules and
particulates in the atmosphere, the pathwayparticulates in the atmosphere, the pathway
that the light follows changesthat the light follows changes
Diffusion (scattering)Diffusion (scattering)
RefractionRefraction
ReflectionReflection
AbsorptionAbsorption
5. DiffusionDiffusion
The Sun’s rays are essentially parallelThe Sun’s rays are essentially parallel
as they reach the Earth’s surface.as they reach the Earth’s surface.
As they encounter various particles inAs they encounter various particles in
the atmosphere, some light rays arethe atmosphere, some light rays are
bounced in all the different directions.bounced in all the different directions.
Diffusion, or scatteringDiffusion, or scattering
Some light scattered back into space (7%)Some light scattered back into space (7%)
Some light scattered to the Earth’s surfaceSome light scattered to the Earth’s surface
(20%)(20%)
Diffusion increases as sun angleDiffusion increases as sun angle
decreasesdecreases
7. RefractionRefraction
Occurs when light passes from one mediumOccurs when light passes from one medium
to anotherto another
From air to water dropletsFrom air to water droplets
From air masses of varying temperature andFrom air masses of varying temperature and
densitydensity
Light ray slows and changes directionLight ray slows and changes direction
Short wavelengths are refracted more than longShort wavelengths are refracted more than long
wavelengthswavelengths
Breaks light into a spectrum; rainbowsBreaks light into a spectrum; rainbows
Convection currents in the air (rising hot air)Convection currents in the air (rising hot air)
cause refraction, creating a shimmery distortioncause refraction, creating a shimmery distortion
miragesmirages
11. ReflectionReflection
Light that bounces off a surfaceLight that bounces off a surface
AlbedoAlbedo refers to the amount of light reflectedrefers to the amount of light reflected
back to spaceback to space
31% of incoming sunlight is reflected31% of incoming sunlight is reflected
21% by clouds21% by clouds
7% by diffuse scattering7% by diffuse scattering
3% by the Earth’s surface3% by the Earth’s surface
Mainly short wave radiationMainly short wave radiation
Factors that increase albedoFactors that increase albedo
Light colorLight color
Smooth surfacesSmooth surfaces
Low sun angleLow sun angle
14. AbsorptionAbsorption
Light that is not part of Earth’s albedoLight that is not part of Earth’s albedo
Light that is assimilated by matter (69%)Light that is assimilated by matter (69%)
Ozone in the stratosphere (3%)Ozone in the stratosphere (3%)
Clouds (3%)Clouds (3%)
Atmospheric gases and dust (18%)Atmospheric gases and dust (18%)
Earth’s surface (45%)Earth’s surface (45%)
Including photosynthesisIncluding photosynthesis
Causes the matter to increase inCauses the matter to increase in
temperaturetemperature
short wave energy is converted to long waveshort wave energy is converted to long wave
(infrared)(infrared)
including respirationincluding respiration
15. Absorbed heat energy can be transferred inAbsorbed heat energy can be transferred in
the atmospherethe atmosphere
Heat energy flows from high to low heatHeat energy flows from high to low heat
conductionconduction
transfer of heat energy between two objects throughtransfer of heat energy between two objects through
physical contactphysical contact
Phase changes: Latent heatPhase changes: Latent heat
convectionconvection
occurs in mobile media (liquids, gases)occurs in mobile media (liquids, gases)
currents: molecules near heat source rise (and cool)currents: molecules near heat source rise (and cool)
while cooler molecules fall (and become heated)while cooler molecules fall (and become heated)
advectionadvection
similar to convection, but occurs horizontallysimilar to convection, but occurs horizontally
radiationradiation
heat transmitted as infrared radiationheat transmitted as infrared radiation
16. Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect
CloudsClouds
Are variable in coverAre variable in cover
Exert tremendous influence on energy budgetExert tremendous influence on energy budget
Increase albedo (albedo forcing)Increase albedo (albedo forcing)
Increase greenhouse warming (greenhouse forcing)Increase greenhouse warming (greenhouse forcing)
Certain gases in clouds absorb and reradiate infrared radiationCertain gases in clouds absorb and reradiate infrared radiation
Carbon dioxide, water vapor, methaneCarbon dioxide, water vapor, methane
Creates an insulating effectCreates an insulating effect
Different cloud types affect the greenhouse effectDifferent cloud types affect the greenhouse effect
differentlydifferently
High thin clouds allow more diffuse light through, causingHigh thin clouds allow more diffuse light through, causing
more heat to be trapped (net greenhouse forcing)more heat to be trapped (net greenhouse forcing)
Low thick clouds reflect more light out, causing less heatLow thick clouds reflect more light out, causing less heat
to be trapped (net albedo forcing)to be trapped (net albedo forcing)
The greenhouse effect has been identified as theThe greenhouse effect has been identified as the
main cause of global warmingmain cause of global warming
24. Surface Radiation BalanceSurface Radiation Balance
Refers to 45% of insolation that reachesRefers to 45% of insolation that reaches
the Earth’s surfacethe Earth’s surface
Daily PatternDaily Pattern
Insolation peaks at noonInsolation peaks at noon
varies seasonally, with maximum on the summervaries seasonally, with maximum on the summer
solsticesolstice
Absorbing the insolation heats the ground,Absorbing the insolation heats the ground,
which in turn heats the airwhich in turn heats the air
Maximum air temperature reached between 3-4 pmMaximum air temperature reached between 3-4 pm
Minimum air temperature reached around dawnMinimum air temperature reached around dawn