1. a) The spectra of intensity of infrared radiation measured from orbit above the Sahara Desert and above Antarctica are shown in Figures la and 1b. Explain why there is a relative minimum for wavelengths in the range 13-17 um above the Sahara Desert, but there is a relative maximum for the same wavelengths above Antarctica.
1. a) The spectra of intensity of infrared radiation measured from orbit above the Sahara Desert and above Antarctica are shown in Figures la and 1b. Explain why there is a relative minimum for wavelengths in the range 13-17 um above the Sahara Desert, but there is a relative maximum for the same wavelengths above Antarctica.
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1LR
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![1. a) The spectra of intensity of infrared radiation measured from orbit above the Sahara Desert
and above Antarctica are shown in Figures la and 1b. Explain why there is a relative minimum
for wavelengths in the range 13 - 17 um above the Sahara Desert, but there is a relative
maximum for the same wavelengths above Antarctica.
b) Figure 1c shows the spectrum of infrared radiation measured above the Pacific Ocean when
the atmosphere was cloud free and also above a thick thunderstorm anvil outflow cloud. Estimate
the height of the anvil cloud top assuming that the lapse rate was 6° C per km throughout the
troposphere.
Radiance [mW/m² sr cm¹]
Radiance [mW/m² srcm
25
20 18
200 TTTTTTT
150
100
50
0
400
50
45
40
HANN
25
25
15
10
5
0
400
140
120
100
25
60
40
20
500
20 18
500
20 18
LITTER
15 14 13 12 11 10
600 700 800
15 14 13 12
TTT
600 700
800
Thunderstorm Anvil
Wavelength [um]
9
7
T
(a) Sahara Desert
15 14 13 12
P-J_____T
What y
900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600
Wavenumber [cm]
Wavelength [um]
11 10
9
Ingolsyfontinentele
900 1000 1100 1200 1300
1300 1400 1500 1600
Wavenumber [cm]
Wavelength [um]
10 9
11
8
(b) Antarctic Ice Sheet
Clear
(c) Tropical Western Pacific
1
L
L
0
400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600
Wavenumber [cm]
Figure 1. Spectra of infrared radiation intensity measured from an orbiting satellite above (a) the
Sahara Desert (no clouds), (b) Antarctica (no clouds), and (c) the tropical western Pacific Ocean.
(c) includes a spectrum measured above clear air as well as a spectrum measured above a thick
thunderstorm anvil outflow cloud (as labelled). Plank function curves at various temperatures are
shown (dashed lines) for comparison.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F7e730aa5-96ca-4602-af65-29605e104c56%2F9ec1e9bc-9aec-410d-b63c-2ac56675efca%2Fipy8qq_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:1. a) The spectra of intensity of infrared radiation measured from orbit above the Sahara Desert
and above Antarctica are shown in Figures la and 1b. Explain why there is a relative minimum
for wavelengths in the range 13 - 17 um above the Sahara Desert, but there is a relative
maximum for the same wavelengths above Antarctica.
b) Figure 1c shows the spectrum of infrared radiation measured above the Pacific Ocean when
the atmosphere was cloud free and also above a thick thunderstorm anvil outflow cloud. Estimate
the height of the anvil cloud top assuming that the lapse rate was 6° C per km throughout the
troposphere.
Radiance [mW/m² sr cm¹]
Radiance [mW/m² srcm
25
20 18
200 TTTTTTT
150
100
50
0
400
50
45
40
HANN
25
25
15
10
5
0
400
140
120
100
25
60
40
20
500
20 18
500
20 18
LITTER
15 14 13 12 11 10
600 700 800
15 14 13 12
TTT
600 700
800
Thunderstorm Anvil
Wavelength [um]
9
7
T
(a) Sahara Desert
15 14 13 12
P-J_____T
What y
900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600
Wavenumber [cm]
Wavelength [um]
11 10
9
Ingolsyfontinentele
900 1000 1100 1200 1300
1300 1400 1500 1600
Wavenumber [cm]
Wavelength [um]
10 9
11
8
(b) Antarctic Ice Sheet
Clear
(c) Tropical Western Pacific
1
L
L
0
400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600
Wavenumber [cm]
Figure 1. Spectra of infrared radiation intensity measured from an orbiting satellite above (a) the
Sahara Desert (no clouds), (b) Antarctica (no clouds), and (c) the tropical western Pacific Ocean.
(c) includes a spectrum measured above clear air as well as a spectrum measured above a thick
thunderstorm anvil outflow cloud (as labelled). Plank function curves at various temperatures are
shown (dashed lines) for comparison.
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