Chapter 4 Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances Robert W. Christopherson Charlie Thomsen

Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances Energy Essentials Energy Balance in the Troposphere Energy Balance at Earth’s Surface

Energy Essentials Energy Pathways and Principles Shortwave energy in from the Sun Longwave energy out from Earth Transmission Passage of energy through atmosphere or water

Energy Pathways Figure 4.1

Energy Pathways Insolation input All radiation received at Earth’s surface – direct and indirect Scattering Changing direction of light’s movement, without altering its wavelengths Refraction Change in speed and direction of light

Insolation at Earth’s Surface Figure 4.2

Refraction Figure 4.4

Energy Principles Albedo and reflection Clouds, aerosols, and the atmosphere’s albedo Absorption

Albedo Figure 4.5

July and January Albedos Figure 4.6

Clouds and Albedo Figure 4.7

Atmospheric Aerosols Figure 4.8

Heat Transfer Conduction Molecule-to-molecule transfer Convection Energy transferred by movement Advection Horizontally dominant movement Radiation Energy traveling through air or space

Heat Transfer Figure 4.9

Energy Balance in the Troposphere The Greenhouse Effect and Atmospheric Warming Clouds and Earth’s “Greenhouse” Earth–Atmosphere Radiation Balance

The Greenhouse Effect and Atmospheric Warming Atmosphere absorbs heat energy A real greenhouse traps heat inside Atmosphere delays transfer of heat from Earth into space

Clouds and Forcing Figure 4.10

Shortwave and Longwave Energy Figure 4.11

Earth–Atmosphere Radiation Balance Figure 4.12

Energy Budget by Latitude Figure 4.13

Energy Balance at Earth’s Surface Daily Radiation Patterns Simplified Surface Energy Balance The Urban Environment

Daily Radiation Curves Figure 4.14

Surface Energy Budget Figure 4.15

Simplified Surface Energy Balance NET R = +SW (insolation) –SW (reflection) +LW (infrared) –LW (infrared) Figure 4.16

Global NET R Figure 4.17

Global Latent Heat Figure 4.18

Global Sensible Heat Figure 4.19

Solar Cooking Solution Figure FS 4.1.1

Solar Energy Figure FS 4.1.2

Radiation Budgets Figure 4.20 El Mirage, CA Pitt Meadows, BC

The Urban Environment Figure 4.21

Urban Heat Island Figure 4.22

Urban Heat Island Pilot Project Figure 4.23

Robert W. Christopherson Charlie Thomsen Geosystems 7e An Introduction to Physical Geography End of Chapter 4