Factors Affecting the Earths Temperature

• What factors affect the Earth's temperature?

  Many factors including absorption and emission rates
• How does the Earth's temperature depend on various factors?

  It depends on absorption and emission rates of radiation
• What role does visible light play in the Earth's temperature?

  Visible light and infrared radiation are absorbed by Earth
• What happens to the energy absorbed by the Earth's surface?

  It increases internal energy and heats the surface
• How is energy transferred to the atmosphere from the Earth's surface?

  By conduction and convection
• What type of radiation does the Earth emit?

  Lower frequency infrared radiation
• How does infrared radiation behave in the atmosphere?

  Some is transmitted back into space, some is absorbed
• What happens to some of the infrared radiation emitted by the Earth?

  It is transmitted back into space
• What gases absorb infrared radiation in the atmosphere?

  Greenhouse gases
• How do greenhouse gases affect infrared radiation?

  They emit it in all directions
• What is the effect of greenhouse gases on the Earth's temperature?

  They contribute to warming by trapping heat
• In what directions is infrared radiation emitted by greenhouse gases?

  In all directions, including back to Earth
• What happens to some of the infrared radiation emitted by greenhouse gases?

  Some is emitted back towards Earth
• How does the absorption of infrared radiation by greenhouse gases affect the Earth?

  It leads to an increase in Earth's temperature
• What is the overall effect of greenhouse gases on the Earth's energy balance?

  They enhance the greenhouse effect, warming the planet
• What are the main processes affecting the Earth's temperature?

  • Absorption of radiation
  • Emission of radiation
  • Reflection of radiation
  • Conduction and convection
• How does the Earth's surface interact with different types of radiation?

  • Absorbs visible light and infrared radiation
  • Emits lower frequency infrared radiation
  • Transfers energy to the atmosphere
• What is the role of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

  • Absorb infrared radiation
  • Emit radiation in all directions
  • Contribute to the greenhouse effect