Temperature Inversion

Figure 3.9

Example of temperature inversion

Smog

The Clean Air ActBenefits:

Total direct cost to implement the Clean Air Act $523 billionDirect monetized benefits $5.6 to $49.4 trillion – average $22.2 trillionNet financial benefit $21.7 trillion

Chapter 4:Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances

I. Energy EssentialsII. Energy Balance in the TroposphereIII. Energy Balance at Earth’s Surface

I. Energy Essentials

Figure 4.1

I. Energy EssentialsA. The Basics

TransmissionPassage of energy through either atmosphere or water

ScatteringA change in the direction of light’s movement, without altering its wavelengths (Rayleigh)

RefractionChange in speed and direction of light

I. Energy EssentialsA. The Basics

ScatteringA change in the direction of light’s movement, without altering its wavelengths (Rayleigh)

I. Energy EssentialsA. The Basics

RefractionChange in speed and direction of light

I. Energy Essentials

Figure 4.1

(Absorption)

I. Energy EssentialsInsolation Input

Figure 4.4

I. Energy EssentialsAlbedo and Reflection

Figure 4.5

Albedo – the reflective quality of a surface or the percentage of insolation that is reflected.

I. Energy EssentialsReflection

Figure 4.5

I. Energy EssentialsTotal Albedos for July and January (Fig. 4.7)

Figure 4.5

Albedo and Reflection

I. Energy Essentials Clouds and Albedo

Figure 4.8

An increase in an object’s albedo caused by clouds is called cloud-albedoforcing.

I. Energy Essentials Aerosols and the Atmosphere’s Albedo

Figure 4.9

I. Energy EssentialsHeat Transfer

ConductionMolecule to molecule transfer of heat energy from warmer to cooler portions

ConvectionHeat energy transferred by vertical mass movement through a medium

AdvectionHeat energy transferred by horizontal mass movement through a medium

RadiationEnergy traveling through air or space

I. Energy EssentialsHeat Transfer

Figure 4.10

II. Energy Balance in the Troposphere

A. The Greenhouse Effect and Atmospheric Warming

B. Earth–Atmosphere Radiation Balance

A. The Greenhouse Effect and Atmospheric Warming

Greenhouse effect: Process whereby radiatively active gases (carbon dioxide, water vapor, CFC’s, etc.) absorb insolation and reradiate energy at longer wavelengths, which are retained longer, delaying the loss of infrared to space.

B. Earth–Atmosphere Radiation Balance

Figure 4.13

B. Earth-Atmosphere Radiation Balance