Name: ANTONIE PETER Q.

ABUCEJO
Section: BSMT 21-A1
Subject: MET-01

PRELIM ASSIGNMENT NO. 3

DESCRIBE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUN FOR ATMOSPHERIC

PROCESSES AND THE NATURE OF SOLAR RADIATION SUCH AS
SCATTERING, REFLECTION AND ABSORPTION

Three atmospheric processes modify the solar radiation passing through our
atmosphere destined to the Earth's surface. These processes act on the radiation
when it interacts with gases and suspended particles found in the atmosphere. The
process of scattering occurs when small particles and gas molecules diffuse part of
the incoming solar radiation in random directions without any alteration to the
wavelength of the electromagnetic energy (Figure 7f-1). Scattering does, however,
reduce the amount of incoming radiation reaching the Earth's surface. A significant
proportion of scattered shortwave solar radiation is redirected back to space. The
amount of scattering that takes place is dependent on two factors: wavelength of
the incoming radiation and the size of the scattering particle or gas molecule. In the
Earth's atmosphere, the presence of a large number of particles with a size of about
0.5 microns results in shorter wavelengths being preferentially scattered. This
factor also causes our sky to look blue because this color corresponds to those
wavelengths that are best diffused. If scattering did not occur in our atmosphere the
daylight sky would be black.

Figure 7f-1: The process of atmospheric

scattering causes rays of sunlight to be
redirected to a new direction after hitting
a particle in the atmosphere. In this
illustration, we see how three particles
send light rays off into three different
directions. Scattering does not change the
striking light ray's wavelength or
intensity.
 If intercepted, some gases and particles in the atmosphere have the ability to
absorb incoming insolation (Figure 7f-2). Absorption is defined as a process in
which solar radiation is retained by a substance and converted into heat energy.
The creation of heat energy also causes the substance to emit its own radiation. In
general, the absorption of solar radiation by substances in the Earth's atmosphere
results in temperatures that get no higher than 1800° Celsius. According to Wien's
Law, bodies with temperatures at this level or lower would emit their radiation in
the longwave band. Further, this emission of radiation is in all directions so a
sizable proportion of this energy is lost to space.

Figure 7f-2: Atmospheric absorption.

In this process, sunlight is absorbed by
an atmospheric particle, transferred
into heat energy, and then converted
into longwave radiation emissions that
come from the particle.

The final process in the atmosphere that modifies incoming solar radiation is
reflection (Figure 7f-3). Reflection is a process where sunlight is redirect by 180°
after it strikes an atmospheric particle. This redirection causes a 100% loss of the
insolation. Most of the reflection in our atmosphere occurs in clouds when light is
intercepted by particles of liquid and frozen water. The reflectivity of a cloud can
range from 40 to 90%.

Figure 7f-3: Atmospheric reflection. In this

process, the solar radiation striking an
atmospheric particle is redirected back to
space unchanged.
 Sunlight reaching the Earth's surface unmodified by any of the above
atmospheric processes is termed direct solar radiation. Solar radiation that reaches
the Earth's surface after it was altered by the process of scattering is called diffused
solar radiation. Not all of the direct and diffused radiation available at the Earth's
surface is used to do work (photosynthesis, creation of sensible heat, evaporation,
etc.). As in the atmosphere, some of the radiation received at the Earth's surface is
redirected back to space by reflection. The following image describes the spatial
pattern of surface reflectivity as measured for the year 1987.

Figure 7f-4: Annual (1987)

reflectivity of the Earth's
surface.

The reflectivity or albedo of the Earth's surface varies with the type of
material that covers it. For example, fresh snow can reflect up to 95% of the
insolation that reaches it surface. Some other surface type reflectivities are:

 Dry sand 35 to 45%

 Broadleaf deciduous forest 5 to 10%
 Needleleaf confierous forest 10 to 20%
 Grass type vegetation 15 to 25%

Reflectivity of the surface is often described by the term surface albedo. The
Earth's average albedo, reflectance from both the atmosphere and the surface, is
about 30%.