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Explore Earth’s temperature balance using Stefan-Boltzmann Law. Calculate outgoing radiation and predict temperature changes. Reflect on the accuracy of exponential functions in long-term predictions.
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Nuffield Free-Standing Mathematics Activity Climate prediction
Climate prediction Is the Earth’s temperature in balance?
Incoming solar radiation Outgoing radiation Climate prediction The change in Earth’s temperature depends on the difference between incoming and outgoing radiation
Climate prediction The outgoing radiation depends only on the temperature of the Earth, T kelvins (K). The amount of outgoing radiation is given by the Stefan-Boltzman Law: Outgoing radiation = σT4where σ = 5.67 x 10–8Js–1m–2K–4 Let’s start by assuming that the (average) temperature of the Earth’s surface is 283K. Then the outgoing radiation = σT4 = 364 Js–1m–2 (to 3sf) This is the energy lost per square metre of the Earth’s surface per second.
Climate prediction Change in temperature of the Earth = where the heat capacity of the Earth = 4 x 108JK–1m–2 New temperature of the Earth = old temperature + temperature change
Climate prediction What would happen if the amount of radiation from the Sun were suddenly to increase? For example, if radiation input went up to 370 Js–1m–2 After one year Change in temperature of the Earth = = 0.47 K New temperature of the Earth = old temperature + temperature change = 283.47 K
Climate prediction • Reflect on your work Why does an exponential function give a better long-term prediction than any of the polynomials?
