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Thermosphere
Mesosphere
Ozone Maximum
Stratosphere
Troposphere
Temperature
How does energy input to the earth surface vary across the globe?
http://www.ems.psu.edu/Courses/earth002/0402G_M.htm
Electromagnetic Spectrum
incoming
outgoing
1. Shorter, high
Energy wavelengths
Hit the earths
Surface
2. Incoming energy
Is converted to heat
3. Longer, infrared
Wavelengths hit
Greenhouse gas
Molecules in the
atmosphere
4. Greenhouse gas
Molecules in the
Atmosphere emit
Infrared radiation
Back towards earth
78% nitrogen
20.6% oxygen
< 1% argon
0.4% water
vapor
0.036% carbon
dioxide
traces gases:
Ne, He, Kr, H, O3
Methane, Nitrous
Oxide
Visible
Infrared
CH4
N2O
O2 & O3
CO2
H2O
atmosphere
WAVELENGTH (micrometers)
Anthes, p. 55
Methane (CH4)
Source: Rice cultivation, cattle & sheep ranching, decay
from landfills, mining
Summary
Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation and prevent it
from escaping to space.
Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are very good
at capturing energy at wavelengths that other compounds
miss
58.0
14.4
14.3
57.8
Variability
57.6
14.2
Average
14.1
57.4
14.0
57.2
13.9
57.0
13.8
56.8
13.7
56.6
13.6
56.4
13.5
56.2
13.4
1840
1860
1880
1900
1920
1920
www.gcrio.org/ipcc/qa/cover.html (modified)
1940
1960
1980
2000
Atmospheric
Pressure
Decreases
With Height
Above 99%
Most of the
energy is
captured
close to the
surface
Above 90%
That energy
drives climate
and weather
Above 50%
Pressure (mb)
Atmospheric Feedbacks
POSITIVE
NEGATIVE
Increased CO2
More water
vapor & other
changes
+
Higher temperature
More water vapor
Higher temperature
More water vapor
Lower temperature