Toni atmosphere L1 Flashcards
(19 cards)
What percentage of the atmosphere is nitrogen
78.08
What percentage of the atmosphere is oxygen
20.93
What percentage of the atmosphere is Argon
0.93
What percentage of the atmosphere is carbon dioxide
0.0387
Define radiative forcing
Radiative forcing is the change in the net energy flux due to a change in an external factor such as greenhouse gases, aerosols, or solar output holding all other climate variables constant.
What does a positive radiative force mean
Positive RF → more energy coming in → warming Effect
What does a negative radiative force mean
Negative RF → more energy going out → cooling
Define albedo
Albedo is the fraction of incoming solar radiation that is reflected by a surface or body, without being absorbed.
What can the albedo range between and what does this mean
Albedo can range between 0 and 1
0 - no reflectance
1 - complete reflectance
What is the earth albedo denoted as and what is the earths albedo known to be
𝛼𝑝, known to be 0.31
How do we calculate the fraction of radiation that is absorbed by the earth
1 − 𝛼𝑝
Define net radiation
Net radiation is the difference between incoming and outgoing radiation at the Earth’s surface
What is the solar flux/ solar constant
The average solar electromagnetic radiation (total solar irradiance) per unit area
What is the cross-sectional area of
the Earth that intercepts the
solar EM radiation
πRE^2
What is the greenhouse effect
the heating of the Earth’s near-surface atmosphere by the trapping of outgoing infrared radiation by atmospheric gases
Define global warming
the increase of the near-surface average global temperature
What is the direct aerosol effect
The direct aerosol effect is the scattering and absorption of radiation from individual droplets and particles
What is the indirect aerosol effect
The Indirect aerosol effect is how changes in aerosol influence clouds through for example more cloud condensation nuclei, less rainfall and more light scattering
What is a black body
An idealised object that perfectly absorbs all radiation on it and does not reflect or transmit any radiation
