Solar radiation infrared

Geographical and Seasonal Variation in Solar Radiation Infrared Absorption by the Earth s Atmosphere Atmospheric Concentration of Carbon Dioxide, 1958-2000 Mean Temperatures in the United States, 1900-1992 Global Temperature Trend, 1856-2000 Atmospheric Electricity Speed of Sound in Various Media... 

Long-wave radiation (infrared radiation) is in the range of 0.8-100 i.m, short-wave radiation (visible as light) is in the range 0.4-0.8 [Lin, and solar radiation is in the range 0.3-3.0 juim. 

FIGURE 11.31 Radiaiion fluxes at the buildirtg facade the solar radiation components (direct or beam, diffuse, and reflected radiation from the ground or other buildings) and the components of the radiation back from the building facade (reflected solar and thermal infrared radiation from the building envelope). 

Radiation. Mainly by infrared waves (but also in the visible band, e.g. solar radiation), which are independent of contact or an intermediate fluid. 

Every year our planet receives from the Sun more than enough radiant energy to supply all our energy needs. About 55% of solar radiation is reflected away or used in natural processes. The remaining 45% is converted into thermal motion (heat), most of which escapes as infrared radiation with wavelengths between 4 and 50 mm. 

The concept of global radiative equilibrium is useful in identifying the various factors that govern climatic variability. At radiative equilibrium, the flux of solar radiation absorbed by the planet equals the flux of infrared radiation to space. That is. 

Carbon dioxide does not affect the energy input to the planet because CO2 is transparent to most of the incoming solar radiation. In contrast, CO2 is extremely effective at absorbing infrared radiation, so the energy output from the planet decreases when the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases by even a small amount. 

If more solar energy is absorbed than infrared radiation emitted, the earth would warm and a new equilibrium would appear. But, if the earth had more clouds, it would reflect more solar radiation and absorb less. This would have a cooling effect on the planet, lowering the amount of infrared radiation that is escaping to space to balance the lower amount of absorbed solar energy. The earth s radiant energy balance today is 240 watts per square meter. 

However, this is not the case for airborne particles composed of crustal materials formed by erosion processes. As discussed in Chapter 9.C, mineral dust consists primarily of such crustal materials. Despite the fact that soil dust particles tend to be quite large, of the order of a micron and larger, they can be carried large distances. These particles not only scatter and absorb solar radiation but also absorb long-wavelength infrared emitted by the earth s surface. 

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