climate change test

MODTRAN

Model simulating infrared radiation in the atmosphere.

Upward IR Heat Flux

Total infrared energy flux in Watts/meter².

Global Warming Potential (GWP)

Comparison of warming effects of greenhouse gases.

Doubling CO2

Increasing CO2 concentration exponentially for analysis.

Methane

Greenhouse gas with higher GWP than CO2.

CFC

Chlorofluorocarbon with thousands of CO2's GWP.

Troposphere

Lowest atmospheric layer, weather occurs here.

Stratosphere

Layer above troposphere containing the ozone layer.

Mesosphere

Layer where meteors burn up.

Thermosphere

Layer with auroras and satellites.

Exosphere

Upper limit of the atmosphere, extends to 10,000 km.

Ionosphere

Region with ionized atoms, crucial for radio communication.

Positive Feedback

Amplifies the original climatic situation.

Negative Feedback

Dampens the original climatic situation.

Ice Albedo Feedback

Sea ice reflects 85% solar radiation; ocean absorbs 93%.

Water Vapor Feedback

Warmer air holds more water vapor, amplifying warming.

Stefan-Boltzmann Law

Emission of radiation increases with the fourth power of temperature.

Phase Diagram

Shows phases of water based on temperature and pressure.

Cirrus Clouds

High-altitude clouds, typically thin and wispy.

Stratus Clouds

Low-altitude clouds, often forming a uniform layer.

Infrared Radiation

Radiation emitted by bodies based on their temperature.

Blackbody

Idealized physical body that absorbs all incident radiation.

Ozone Layer

Region in stratosphere absorbing solar ultraviolet radiation.

Atmospheric Window

Wavelength range where gases do not absorb IR.

CO2 Concentration

Measured in parts per million (ppm) in the atmosphere.

Feedback Loops

Processes that can amplify or dampen climate changes.

Energy Flux

Rate of energy transfer per unit area.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns.

Solar Radiation

Energy emitted by the sun, affecting Earth's climate.

Weather

Atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place.

Climate

Long-term average of weather patterns.

Meteors

Space debris that burns up in the atmosphere.

Aurora Borealis

Natural light display in the Earth's sky.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Primary greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.

Freon (CFC)

Synthetic compounds harmful to the ozone layer.

Global Temperatures

Annual temperatures compared to 20th-century average.

Paleoclimates

Historical climate data from geological records.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration in temperature and weather patterns.

Global Warming

Increase in Earth's average surface temperature.

Managed Risks

Risks identified and mitigated through management practices.

Unmanaged Risks

Risks not actively addressed or assessed.

Unmanageable Risks

Risks difficult to mitigate due to complexity.

Energy Balance

Power in equals power out for steady temperature.

Power

Rate at which energy flows or transforms.

Heat

Energy flowing from hot to cold.

Intensity

Concentration of power per unit area.

Electromagnetic Radiation

Energy traveling as waves with electric and magnetic fields.

Vibrational Energy

Energy related to the oscillation of particles.

Temperature of Venus

Approximately 820-900°F, hottest planet.

Temperature of Earth

Average temperature around 57°F.

Temperature of Mars

Average temperature around -81°F.

Carbon Importance

Key factor in climate change and energy balance.

Energy Flow Equation

Heat = Power * Time.

Power Flow Equation

Power = Heat Flow / Time.

Wave Number

Number of waves fitting in one centimeter.

Human Responsibility

Human activities contributing to climate change.

Negative Consequences

Adverse effects resulting from climate change.

Systemic Financial Risks

Risks arising from interconnected financial systems.

Global Pandemics

Widespread health crises affecting populations globally.

Natural Disasters

Severe, unexpected environmental events causing damage.

Geopolitical Conflicts

Disputes between nations affecting global stability.

Understanding the Forecast

Book by David Archer on climate science.

Wavelength

Distance between two identical wave points.

Wavenumber

Number of waves per centimeter, n = 1/λ.

Brightness

Intensity measured as power per square meter.

Shortwave Radiation

Radiation with λ < 3μm.

Longwave Radiation

Radiation with λ > 3μm.

Visible Spectrum

Ranges from 400 to 700 nanometers.

Stefan-Boltzmann Law

Intensity I = εT⁴ for blackbody radiation.

Emissivity (ε)

Measures how black an object is, 0 to 1.

Blackbody

Ideal emitter and absorber of radiation.

Intensity

Brightness related to total energy radiated.

Power

Rate of energy flow or transformation.

Heat

Energy from atomic motion; flows from hot to cold.

Total Intensity

Area under the blackbody radiation curve.

Electromagnetic Waves

Carry energy from the sun to Earth.

Color Measurement

Two methods: wavelength and wavenumber.

Micron (μm)

Unit for measuring wavelength, 1μm = 1e-6 meters.

Nanometer (nm)

Unit for measuring wavelength, 1nm = 1e-9 meters.

Power Flux

Heat flow per unit time.

Temperature of Planets

Steady temperature: Power in equals Power out.

Blackbody Radiation

Radiation emitted by an ideal black object.

Heating Effect

Hotter objects glow brighter and bluer.

Color of Objects

Depends on temperature and emissivity.

Gray Objects

Have varying emissivity between black and white.

Intensity Concentration

Power per unit area, measured in Watts/m².

Visible Light

Part of the spectrum visible to the human eye.

Infrared Radiation

Wavelengths longer than visible light, used in heat.

Shortwave Radiation

Radiation with wavelength less than 3μm.

Longwave Radiation

Radiation with wavelength greater than 3μm.

Wavelength

Distance between consecutive peaks of a wave.

Temperature

Measure of thermal energy in an object.

Blackbody Radiation

Spectrum emitted by an ideal black object.

Emissivity (ε)

Measure of an object's ability to emit radiation.

Solar Constant

Mean solar radiation at Earth's atmosphere, ~1350 W/m².

Albedo

Fraction of sunlight reflected back into space.

Total Heat Flux (Power)

Power per unit area from radiation.

Heat In (Fin)

Total incoming solar energy to Earth.

Heat Out (Fout)

Total outgoing thermal energy from Earth.