lec 9

Question 1

sunspots

Answer 1

magnetic storms on the sun the result in a very high energy output
cycles of every 11 years (flare-ups that result in elevated radiation lvls)

Question 2

Milankovitch theory

Answer 2

the relationship between the sun and earth is constantly changing over time, due to shift in the geometry of the earth relative to the sun.

Question 3

eccentricity

Answer 3

refers to the shape of the Earth’s orbit
shift between a circular and slightly oblong (ovular) shape
90,000-100,000 yer cycle

Question 4

orbital precession

Answer 4

refers to the wobble of the earth’s axis
11,000-year cycle
where the tilt changes in orientation (maintaining the 23.5 degree tilt)

Question 5

obliquity

Answer 5

the variation in earths tilit.
will change between 22 and 24.5 degrees
cycle of 40,000 years

Question 6

how will changes in obliquity affect climate?

Answer 6

there will be less seasonal differences between the equator and higher latitudes at a lesser angle. this is because the subsolar spot will remain closer to a fixed point when compared to a larger axial tilt.

at a more extreme tilt, the higher latitudes will experience hotter summers and cooler winters

Question 7

which hemisphere has a greater temperature buffer?

Answer 7

the south. This is becuase there is less land mass (more water). Water has a greater specific heat capacity than land

Question 8

what is the potential effect of all the factors of the milankoitch cycles working at the same time?

Answer 8

they can either amplify situations or cannel the effect(s) of one another

ex large obliquity and an oblong eccentricity hold the potential to cancel each other it amplify depending on the season (fine summer but really cold winter)

Question 9

energy surface balance

Answer 9

the average energy on the entire earth at a given moment

Question 10

if the total surface enery is set to 100, what do we multiply by to get the actual W/m2?

Answer 10

3.41 W/m2

Question 11

albedo

Answer 11

the fraction of inoming shrot wave radiation from the sun and is returned to space

Question 12

where are short waves predominately ABSORBED in the atmosphere?

Answer 12

in the stratosphere by ozone
19% is absorbed by atmos and clouds
contributed to increasing earhts energy

Question 13

how much energy is absorbed by the surface

Answer 13

51%

Question 14

how much energy is reflected and scattered?

Answer 14

30%
done by
reflection off the surface (4%)
reelection off clouds (20%)
scattering via atmos (6%)

Question 15

which heat type is most important to earth

Answer 15

latent heat

Question 16

why does the norther hemisphere experience such a wide range of temperatures?

Answer 16

do to the angel of incidence at higher latitudes in relation to its orbital position
additionally, the increased land mass in the north provided less of a thermal buffer to changes in radiation