GEOG 111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Shortwave Radiation, Solar Irradiance, Refraction
1 Sep 2015
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Pollutants are stored in the atmosphere until precipitation occurs. Smoke from fires, fossil fuels (which leads to global warming) The earth absorbs solar radiation and re-emits it back into the atmosphere. Open system in terms of energy, not mass. Rate of energy inflow changes in relation to the sun. High insolation intensity in summer months, when the sun angle is high. Low insolation intensity in winter months, when the sun angle is low. Equatorial area have less variation throughout the year. Before energy reaches earth, it has to pass through the atmospheric layers. When the sun"s rays passes through the atmosphere, it bends. This also causes a distortion in the sun. The amount of energy that reaches earth"s surface depends on thickness and color of clouds. 1/3 of the energy is reflected back into space. Without natural greenhouse effect, average temperature would be -18 c. Carbon dioxide emissions increase and decrease due to the cycling growing season.
