Katrina JuddLecture 8Absorption is: the assimilation of radiation and it’s conversion from one form of energy to another69% of the insolation we receive is absorbed.45% of insolation is absorbed by land and water24% of insolation is absorbed in in atmospheric gases, dust, clouds and ozoneAbsorbed energy is converted into either longwave radiation (especially thermal infrared) or chemical energy (through photosynthesis by plants)Which is false?A. More insolation (energy) is absorbed by the atmosphere than by land and waterB. Some absorbed energy is converted into chemical energy by plantsC. Absorbed energy is typically converted into shortwave energyD. Absorbed energy is typically converted into longwave thermal infrared energy. Ways of transferring heat energy 1. Conduction: molecule to molecule transfer of heat energy as it diffuses through a substanceHeat is conduction from areas of high temperature to areas of low temperature.Land is a better conductor than air. Moist air is a slightly better conductor than dry air. 2. Convection: when physical mixing involves a strong vertical motion3. Advection: when horizontal motion dominatesMatching: 1. Hurricane Ike moves west through the Gulf of Mexico C: Advection2. Warm air rises in the classroom, making the seats higher in the auditorium warmer. A: Convection3. Heat is transferred through soil particles. B: Conduction 4. Your car sits in the parking lot and bakes. You open the sun roof and the air rushes up and out. A: Convection5. You try to walk barefoot on a hot asphalt highway and your feet get so hot it feels like they’re getting burned. B: Conductiona) Convection b) Conduction c) AdvectionKatrina JuddGreenhouse effect This term is only partially accurate. In a greenhouse, the glass allows shortwave insolation to pass through to the plants, etc. inside. The plants, soil, etc. absorb the insolation and radiate it back as longwave radiation towards the glass roof. The greenhouse roof traps the longer wavelengths and the heat. But, in the atmosphere, the “greenhouse gases” (carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, etc.) absorb longwave radiation and emit it back to earth.T/F The term “greenhouse effect” reflects the fact that global warming processes work exactly the way greenhouses do.T/F Greenhouse gases can absorb long-wave radiation and emit it back to earth. The three main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methaneIf we stopped extra carbon dioxide emissions now, the atmosphere would be back to normal by 2200Focus on: the greenhouse gas methaneMethane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas. It has been on the rise over the last several decadesThough methane makes up far less of the atmosphere (.0002%) than carbon dioxide, it is 20 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas. Methane has both natural and anthropogenic sources. It is produced wherever organic matter decays under conditions where oxygen is lacking. This is the case, for example, in wet rice fields, in waste deposits, and in the stomachs of cattle and of termites. Also, methane is released while pumping oil, and mining coal. Methane is relatively short-lived in the atmosphere; a molecule of methane is oxidized to water and carbon dioxide within a decade or so.T/F Methane needs oxygen to form.T/F Methane stays in the atmosphere for centurieshT/F Methane is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide is.Which was NOT mentioned as a place where methane forms?A. Waste depositsB. Stomachs of cattleC. Stomachs of termitesD. Rice paddiesE. Coal miningF. Oil drillingG. Corn fieldsIf there was no greenhouse effect, temperatures on earth would be below freezing (almost -2 F)CloudsClouds affect the heating of the lower atmosphere, and not all clouds are created equal when it comes to influencing temperature.Cirrus- high feathery clouds transmit the most insolation. However, they absorb and delay losses of outgoing longwave radiation, producing a greater greenhouse forcing and a net warming of Earth Stratus- low thick clouds reflect most of the incoming insolation and radiate longwave radiation to space, producing greater albedo forcing and a net cooling of earth.Which is false?A. Light, feathery clouds transmit the most insolation.B. Light, feathery clouds produce a greater greenhouse forcing and a net warming of earth.C. Light, feathery clouds produce more albedo than low, thick cloudsD. Low, thick clouds have a cooling effect.Earth’s Energy BalanceRegionally and seasonally, Earth absorbs more energy in the tropics and less in the polar regions, establishing the imbalance that drives global circulation patterns.Between the tropics, where insolation is high and daylight is consistent, more energy is gained than lost (energy surplus) In the polar regions, the Sun is low in the sky, surfaces are reflective, and for up to 6 months of the year, little insolation is received, so more energy is lost than gained (energy deficit).At around 36° latitude, there is a balance between gains and losses. Daily Radiation Patterns The warmest time of day does not occur at the moment of maximum insolation: it occurs when: the maximum energy is being emitted from the groundAnnual Radiation Pattern For the Northern Hemisphere, January is usually the coldest month, occurring after the December solstice and the shortest days. Similarly, the warmest months of July and August occur after the Junesolstice and the longest days.How net radiation is expended from a non-vegetative surface: 1. LE: Latent heat of evaporation is: the energy stored in water vapor The highest evaporation rates are in the tropics2. Sensible Heat: transfer of heat through conduction and convectionThe highest values for sensible heat are in: subtropics, the large desertsSo…different places lose their heat different ways: radiation budgets differ. Desert areas (such as El Mirage, CA) lose more through: sensible heat transferMoist/humid areas (such as British Columbia) lose more through: latent heat of evaporationT/F The latent heat of evaporation is the heat that might potentially (latently) be transmitted from the ground.T/F Desert areas lose more heat through evaporation.T/F Humid areas lose more heat through sensible heat transfer.T/F The highest values for sensible heat are in the subtropics.T/F The highest values for the latent heat of evaporation are in the tropics.T/F The time around the December solstice is typically the