Energy transfer and solar radiation

absorption

the transfer of energy by a wave to the medium through which it travels

adiabatic heating and cooling

No net heat transfer

Increasing pressure adiabatically heats air masses

Falling pressures allow air to expand and cool

heat transfer modes

conduction, convection, advection

Reflection

The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a surface through which it cannot pass.

short wave versus long wave radiation

Shortwave radiation is of solar origin

Longwave radiation is of terrestrial (Earth) origin

Earth's radiation budget - relationship between shortwave and longwave radiation

Transmission

Solar radiation passing through a medium (surface or object)

Mediums vary considerably in their capacity to transmit electromagnetic waves

The transmission ability of a medium generally depends on the wavelength of radiation

visible light

Wavelengths between 0.4 and 0.7 micrometers

Approximately 47 percent of total solar energy arrives at Earth as visible light