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Radiation and Climate

Radiation and Climate. Solar Radiation interacts with gases in the atmosphere. Electromagnetic radiation: energy that acts as waves. Examples of wavelengths with energy. Radio waves and microwaves are low-energy x-rays and gamma rays are high-energy. Solar Spectrum:.

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Radiation and Climate

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  1. Radiation and Climate

  2. Solar Radiation interacts with gases in the atmosphere Electromagnetic radiation: energy that acts as waves.

  3. Examples of wavelengths with energy. Radio waves and microwaves are low-energy x-rays and gamma rays are high-energy

  4. Solar Spectrum: • The solar spectrum shows the radiation emitted by the sun which includes: • infrared (45%) • visible (46%) • Ultra-violet radiation (9%).

  5. Infrared radiation (IR) is “heat” radiation • Most of this radiation is absorbed by CO2 and H2O in the atmosphere. • Visible radiation • The scattering of this radiation by earth’s atmosphere (water, air, and dust) causes blue skies and pretty sunsets. • Ultraviolet radiation • There are 3 types (UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C) • UV-A is low energy, UV-B can cause sunburn, UV-C can kill bacteria and viruses. • Most UV radiation is absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere.

  6. Earth’s Climate: • The temperature on earth’s surface is determined by… • Flow of energy to the earth from the sun • The flow of energy to space from the earth. • 30% of solar radiation is reflected back into space • 50% of solar radiation is absorbed • 20% of solar radiation powers the hydrologic cycle (cycling of water)

  7. Greenhouse Effect: • Greenhouse gases such as CO2, CH4, N2O, and CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) absorb and reradiate infrared radiation Greenhouse Effect: The trapping and returning of infrared radiation by greenhouse gases

  8. Carbon Cycle: • The different forms and compounds in which carbon can be found are called “chemical reservoirs” Carbon reservoirs include: - Atmosphere - Oceans - Vegetation, - Rocks - Soil

  9. Geological Carbon Cycle: • Carbon cycle interacts with the rock cycle • Atmospheric CO2 and water form carbonic acid • Carbonic acid reacts with minerals to produce calcite and eventually limestone • Limestone at the seafloor heats up, melts, and rises to the surface where it is released as CO2

  10. Geological Carbon Cycle

  11. Biological Carbon Cycle: • Biology plays a role in the movement of carbon. • Photosynthesis- where plants take in energy and turn CO2 into sugars Energy (sunlight) + 6CO2 + 6H2O  C6H12O6 + 6O2 • Cellular respiration- where animals use sugars to produce energy and CO2 C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6 H2O + energy

  12. Biological Carbon Cycle

  13. Global Warming: • Because of human activity atmospheric CO2 levels have increased about 30% since the 1800’s. • Burning coal: C(s) + O2 (g)  CO2 (g) • Burning natural gas: CH4(g) + 2O2 (g)  CO2 (g) + 2H2O (g) • Burning gasoline: 2C8H18(g) + 25O2 (g)  16CO2 (g) + 18H2O (g)

  14. Global Warming

  15. Keeling Curve

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