GEOG306 Lecture 16: PLAN 341 - 16

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Geography and Environmental Management
• Course: GEOG306
• Professor: Johanna Wandel

Document Summary

Radiation and microclimate of urban environments (chapter 16 & 17) Electromagnetic radiation: classified into types according to the frequency of the wave: in order of increasing frequency, radio waves, microwaves, terahertz radiation, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x-rays and gamma rays. Solar radiation: radiant energy emitted by the sun, consists of the visible short-wave, the near-infrared and the ultraviolet part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Solar constant: the amount of incoming solar radiation per unit area, measured on the outer surface of. Earth"s atmosphere, in a plane perpendicular to the rays. Includes all types of solar radiation, not just the visible light: measured by satellite ~ 1366 watts per m2 for the whole earth, with a cross section of 127,400,000 km , the sun"s power is. Variation in radiation intensity: relationship with sun angle and curvature of the earth: areas close to equator = intense sunlight; virtually coming down at 90 degrees.