SL IB Physics Greenhouse Effect

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the greenhouse effect, solar radiation, and the relevant physical principles in IB Physics.

Albedo

The ratio of the total scattered power to the total incident power of radiation that is reflected by a given surface.

Emissivity

The ratio of the power radiated per unit area by a surface compared to that of a black body at the same temperature.

Solar Constant (S)

The intensity of the Sun's radiation arriving perpendicularly to the Earth's atmosphere when the Earth is at its mean distance from the Sun.

Black Body

An idealized physical body that absorbs all incident electromagnetic radiation, regardless of frequency or angle of incidence.

Stefan-Boltzmann Law

A law that states that the power radiated by a black body is proportional to the fourth power of its absolute temperature.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases in the Earth's atmosphere that absorb and re-radiate infrared radiation, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

A greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to the greenhouse effect and is produced by burning fossil fuels.

Methane (CH₄)

A greenhouse gas produced from organic matter decay and contributes to the greenhouse effect.

Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)

A greenhouse gas produced from agricultural and industrial activities and contributes to the greenhouse effect.

Albedo of Earth

Generally taken to be 0.3, indicating that 30% of sunlight is reflected back into the atmosphere.

Ozone (O₃)

A greenhouse gas that absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation; not a significant contributor to the greenhouse effect.

Visible Radiation

Radiation that is visible to the human eye, not absorbed by the atmosphere.

Infrared Radiation

Long-wave radiation emitted by the Earth, which is absorbed by greenhouse gases.

Energy Balance Model

A model that considers how much incoming energy from the Sun is used and how much is returned to space.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

The increase in Earth's average temperature due to human activity raising greenhouse gas levels.

Fresh Snow Albedo

Albedo value of 0.85, indicating that fresh snow reflects 85% of incoming radiation.

Earth's Emissivity

Assumed to be 1 for the surface, indicating it behaves as a perfect black body.

Radiative Intensity

The amount of energy per unit area supplied by sunlight or emitted by a surface.

Solar Intensity (I)

The amount of solar energy received per unit area, typically measured in W/m².

Absorption

The process in which a material takes in radiation energy.

Reflection

The process in which radiation bounces off a surface.

Chemical Imbalance

Alters the concentration of greenhouse gases, leading to fluctuation in Earth’s mean surface temperature.

Climate Prediction Models

Models used to predict temperature changes based on greenhouse gas concentrations.

Radiative Power Equation

P = eσAT, where P is power, e is emissivity, σ is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant, A is area, and T is temperature.

Short Wavelength Radiation

Radiation from the Sun that is primarily absorbed by the atmosphere.

Long Wavelength Radiation

Radiation emitted by Earth that is absorbed by greenhouse gases.

Global Average Temperature Rise

The increase of Earth’s average temperature, reported to be over 1°C since pre-industrial times.

Evaporation

The process by which water transforms from liquid to vapor, contributing to water vapor in the atmosphere.

Spherical Geometry of Light

The concept that as light leaves the Sun, it spreads out uniformly across a spherical shell.

Atmospheric Transparency

The degree to which the atmosphere allows radiation to pass through without absorption.

Energy Emission from Earth

The re-radiation of energy from Earth back into space in the form of infrared radiation.

Greenhouse Effect

The process by which greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, maintaining a habitable temperature.