1. Radiation and Climate

2. Solar Radiation interacts with gases in the atmosphere
Electromagnetic radiation: energy that acts as waves.

3. Radio waves and microwaves are low-energy
Examples of wavelengths with energy.
Radio waves and microwaves are low-energy
x-rays and gamma rays are high-energy

4. Solar Spectrum:
The solar spectrum shows the radiation emitted by the sun which includes:
infrared (45%)
visible (46%)
Ultra-violet radiation (9%).

5. Infrared radiation (IR) is “heat” radiation
Most of this radiation is absorbed by CO2 and H2O in the atmosphere.
Visible radiation
The scattering of this radiation by earth’s atmosphere (water, air, and dust) causes blue skies and pretty sunsets.
Ultraviolet radiation
There are 3 types (UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C)
UV-A is low energy, UV-B can cause sunburn, UV-C can kill bacteria and viruses.
Most UV radiation is absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere.

6. Earth’s Climate: The temperature on earth’s surface is determined by…
Flow of energy to the earth from the sun
The flow of energy to space from the earth.
30% of solar radiation is reflected back into space
50% of solar radiation is absorbed
20% of solar radiation powers the hydrologic cycle (cycling of water)

7. Greenhouse Effect:
Greenhouse gases such as CO2, CH4, N2O, and CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) absorb and reradiate infrared radiation
Greenhouse Effect: The trapping and returning of infrared radiation by greenhouse gases

8. Carbon Cycle: Carbon reservoirs include: - Atmosphere - Oceans
The different forms and compounds in which carbon can be found are called “chemical reservoirs”
Carbon reservoirs include:
- Atmosphere
- Oceans
- Vegetation,
- Rocks
- Soil

9. Geological Carbon Cycle:
Carbon cycle interacts with the rock cycle
Atmospheric CO2 and water form carbonic acid
Carbonic acid reacts with minerals to produce calcite and eventually limestone
Limestone at the seafloor heats up, melts, and rises to the surface where it is released as CO2

10. Geological Carbon Cycle

11. Biological Carbon Cycle:
Biology plays a role in the movement of carbon.
Photosynthesis- where plants take in energy and turn CO2 into sugars
Energy (sunlight) + 6CO2 + 6H2O  C6H12O6 + 6O2
Cellular respiration- where animals use sugars to produce energy and CO2
C6H12O6 + 6O2  6CO2 + 6 H2O + energy

12. Biological Carbon Cycle

13. Global Warming:
Because of human activity atmospheric CO2 levels have increased about 30% since the 1800’s.
Burning coal:
C(s) + O2 (g)  CO2 (g)
Burning natural gas:
CH4(g) + 2O2 (g)  CO2 (g) + 2H2O (g)
Burning gasoline:
2C8H18(g) + 25O2 (g)  16CO2 (g) + 18H2O (g)

14. Global Warming

15. Keeling Curve