RGHE

Question 1

What wavelength of radiation does earth emit.

Answer 1

Infrared

Question 2

Formula for radiative balance

Answer 2

deltaF= F(in)-F(out)= 0

Question 3

what wavelengths of radiation does the sun emit in?

Answer 3

sun emits visible light, UV, and infrared

Question 4

Define Planetary Albedo

Answer 4

a fraction of the incoming solar radiation is reflected into space by clouds snow etc, reflectivity.

Question 5

Describe the relationships between molecules and radiation.

Answer 5

A molecule will adopt a mode/state depending on their structure and absorbed radiation
-UV: excited
-IR: vibrational
-MW: Rotational

Question 6

All greenhouse gases have large peaks of absorption across what part of the light spectrum?

Answer 6

Infrared

Question 7

Although water vapor has the greatest overall light absorption, why is CO2 the most important?

Answer 7

Water vapor is a feedback, its levels tend towards equillibrium. CO2 is a forcing, and the time scale at which its levels balance out is very large.

Question 8

Define the Atmospheric Window

Answer 8

Around 10 um +- 2. A point where gases are not absorbing heat.

Question 9

Define radiative forcing

Answer 9

External perturbations affect the F(in)=F(out) equillibrium. The Difference being the radiative forcing. If it is positive, the earth is warming, if it is negative, the earth is cooling.
RF drives a climate response until F(in)=F(out)