Unit 5-Climate, Greenhouse Effect, and Carbon Cycle

Insolation

Insolation

The solar radiation (energy from the sun) that reaches Earth. "INcoming SOLar radiATION"

Radiation

The transfer of energy through space in the form of visible light, ultraviolet rays and other types of electromagnetic waves

Natural Greenhouse Effect

natural situation in which infrared energy is slowed in its espcape from Earth's atmosphere by carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gas

A gas composed of molecules that absorb and re-radiate infrared radiation emitted from the Earth. Examples: CO2, Water Vapor, Methane

Global Warming

Gradual warming of the earth's average global temperature caused by a slow down in the escape of terrestrial radiation. The product of the "enhanced" greenhouse effect. A phenomena more accurately called "climate change" today.

Infrared

Radiation with a wavelength from 0.7 to 200 micrometers. Longer than visible light.

Albedo

The percentage of light reflected from a surface

Weather

the state of the atmosphere at any given time, varies considerably and is described and measured by the "elements of weather" such as cloud cover and type, wind direction and speed, humidity, temperature etc.

Climate

a description of aggregate weather conditions; the sum of all statistical weather information that helps describe the weather of a region, the "expected" norm against which this year's/today's weather can be compared. Usually graphically described in terms of monthly temperature and precipitation.

UV radiation

radiation with a wavelength from 0.2 to 0.4 micrometers. Shorter than visible light, absorbed by ozone gas. Damaging to life.

Visible light

Radiation with a wavelength from 0.4 to 0.7 micrometer. ROYGBIV rainbow to which our atmosphere is mostly transparent, not readily absorbed by any gas in the atmosphere.

Terrestrial radiation

longwave, infrared wavelengths emitted by earth materials after absorbing insolation and increasing molecular motion

Energy budget

the balance between the incoming solar radiation and outgoing radiation from the earth system. Incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the atmoshere and surface as well as reflected and scattered. The exact %'s that engage in each determine in large part our climate.

Selective Absorber

Gases that absorb specific wavelengths of light and do not absorb all other wavelengths.

carbon cycle

the movement of carbon through the earth system. While the total amount present in the earth system remains essentially constant, the amount in the atmosphere varies due increases or decreases in the processes that move it from sphere to sphere.

anthropogenic

Human-induced changes on the natural environment

electromagnetic spectrum

All of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation from radio at the long end to gamma at the short end. Light, infrared, and UV are in the middle.

temperature

A measure of how hot something is; specifically, a measure of the average kinetic energy (speed) of the particles.

Svante Arrhenius

Swedish scientist who discovered that a small increase in greenhouse gases can lead to a large increase in temperature

atmosphere

the envelope of gases surrounding the earth

Fossil Fuels

a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.

biome

A group of ecosystems that share similar climates and typical organisms.

climograph

A plot of the temperature and precipitation in a particular region.

Adaptation

A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in an environment

Scattering

the phenomenon in which light rays get deviated from its straight path on striking an obstacle like dust or gas molecules, water vapors

Diffuse light

light comes from large area. shadow isn't defined. ex in nature = cloudy day (ultimate is snow). \n If reflection is off a small area it looks like point source. \n soft scattered light \n clouds are natural diffusers

Convection

The transfer of thermal energy by the circulation or movement of a liquid or gas

Conduction

The direct transfer of heat from one substance to another substance that it is touching.