random bits i feel i should know

energy

the ability to do work (measured in joules)

power

the rate at which energy flows (measured in watts)

kinetic energy

energy of motion

potential energy

energy that has not yet been used

as electromagnetic radiation (EM)

how is solar energy transferred to earth?

electromagnetic radiation

• emitted by all matter

• is determined by wavelength

• largest being radio waves

• smallest being gamma rays

• what the type of energy can interact with increases with size

earths distance from sun

93 million miles

O³

What gas absorbs UV radiation?

albedo

% of insolation that is reflected by a surface

specular reflection

radiation is reflected in equal intensity as a beam

diffuse (reflection)

radiation is reflected in multiple rays in different directions (also known as scattering)

forward scattering

takes the radiation to the earth

backward scattering

takes the radiation back to space

planetary albedo

30%

17% (58 W/m²)

how much insolation is reflected by clouds back into space?

6% (20 W/m²)

how much insolation is scattered by atmosphere back to space?

7% (24 W/m²)

how much insolation is reflected by the surface back to space?

23% (78 W/m²)

how much insolation is absorbed by atmosphere and clouds?

absorption of insolation causes them to warm up

what happens to the leftover 70% of energy when absorbed by earth and the atmosphere?