Last Class

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Last Class Global What transformations occur
as energy flows through the earth system.
Relationship between distance from the source
and amount of energy available. This Class -
Energy Balance Earths Structure How does
variability in the earths physical structure
affect the transformations of energy? What is
the physical structure of the atmosphere? What
is the chemical structure of the atmosphere?
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Energy comes to earth in these wavelengths
Energy leaves the earth in these wavelengths
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How do features of the earths surface control
energy exchange - Changes in Albedo
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How features of the earths surface control
energy exchange Changes in Albedo Light colors
reflect energy they have a high albedo (e.g.
snow, ice) Dark colors absorb energy they have
a low albedo (many soils and rocks) Water can
be quite variable in its albedo (related to
angle of incidence and what is in the water)
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Effect of Clouds on RadiationDaytime
Clear sky conditions
Cloudy conditions
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Effect of Clouds on IR RadiationNight time
Clear sky conditions
Cloudy conditions
Ahrens 3rd Edition, p. 63
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Energy Balance Atmospheric Structure -
Feedbacks What is the physical structure of the
atmosphere? What is the chemical structure of
the atmosphere?
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These fluxes are related to the structure and
composition of the atmosphere. They allow life
to exist
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Ozone - UV protection here
Weather occurs here
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Structure of the Atmosphere
Thermosphere
Mesosphere
Ozone Maximum
Stratosphere
Troposphere
Temperature
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78 nitrogen 20.6 oxygen lt 1 argon 0.4
water vapor 0.036 carbon dioxide traces
gases Ne, He, Kr, H, O3 Methane, Nitrous Oxide
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Absorption Spectra of Atmospheric Gases
WAVELENGTH (micrometers)
Anthes, p. 55
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Energy Balance Atmospheric Structure -
Feedbacks What is the physical structure of the
atmosphere? - multi-layered, with little
chemical interaction - most of the mass is near
the surface What is the chemical structure of
the atmosphere? - nitrogen by far the most
common element - oxygen is second most common -
greenhouse gasses are small in amount, but
important!
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Absorption Spectra of Atmospheric Gases
WAVELENGTH (micrometers)
Anthes, p. 55
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http//www.ems.psu.edu./Courses/earth002/0402G_M.h
tm
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Global Water Balance
Precipitation
Precipitation
Evaporation
Runoff
Ocean
Land
Earths annual water balance, (original) units
are 105 km3 of water per year. Huge quantities
of water are cycled through the atmosphere each
year. On the continents, precipitation exceeds
evaporation and the reverse is true for oceans.
Runoff from the continents balances the deficit
of the oceans.
Anthes, p. 47 (modified)
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• Since the amount of energy coming
• from the sun varies on long and
• predictable time scales, we need to focus
• on the exchanges
• In the atmosphere, and
• 2) At the earth surface