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Observations from space (including those from the ERBE program) show that, on average, about 60% of the earth's surface is hidden from space by clouds. a. Assuming that all of earth's average albedo of 0.3 is caused by clouds, what is the reflectivity of the clouds themselves? If you have to make any assumptions please state then explicitly. b. In the second lecture we showed that a one-layer atmosphere could produce the observed surface temperature if the atmosphere's emissivity € = .78. If clouds are entirely opaque in the infrared (€ = 1), what is the emissivity of the clear atmosphere? c. We learned previously that the average or bulk emissivity was a spectral average - the result of water vapor being entirely opaque for most wavelengths but close to transparent in the "water vapor window" from roughly 8-12 µm. Comment on your answer to part b in light of the emission curve for earth's average surface temperature (288 K).

Observations from space (including those from the ERBE program) show that, on average, about 60% of the earth's surface is hidden from space by clouds. a. Assuming that all of earth's average albedo of 0.3 is caused by clouds, what is the reflectivity of the clouds themselves? If you have to make any assumptions please state then explicitly. b. In the second lecture we showed that a one-layer atmosphere could produce the observed surface temperature if the atmosphere's emissivity € = .78. If clouds are entirely opaque in the infrared (€ = 1), what is the emissivity of the clear atmosphere? c. We learned previously that the average or bulk emissivity was a spectral average - the result of water vapor being entirely opaque for most wavelengths but close to transparent in the "water vapor window" from roughly 8-12 µm. Comment on your answer to part b in light of the emission curve for earth's average surface temperature (288 K).

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
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
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In the problems below the equation for equilibrium (saturation) vapor pressure as a function of temperature may be useful. This equation, also known as the Clausius-Clapeyron relation, is P#(T)= p#(T,)eR, To For calculations you can use the triple point T, = 273 K, the "latent heat of vaporization" L, = 2.25 x 10° J/kg (in reality it changes a bit with temperature), the gas constant for water vapor R, = 461.5 J/kg, and p*(T,) = 6.1 hPa.
Transcribed Image Text:In the problems below the equation for equilibrium (saturation) vapor pressure as a function of temperature may be useful. This equation, also known as the Clausius-Clapeyron relation, is P#(T)= p#(T,)eR, To For calculations you can use the triple point T, = 273 K, the "latent heat of vaporization" L, = 2.25 x 10° J/kg (in reality it changes a bit with temperature), the gas constant for water vapor R, = 461.5 J/kg, and p*(T,) = 6.1 hPa.
Observations from space (including those from the ERBE program) show that, on average, about 60% of the earth's surface is hidden from space by clouds. Assuming that all of earth's average albedo of 0.3 is caused by clouds, what is the reflectivity of the clouds themselves? If you have to make any assumptions please state then explicitly. b. In the second lecture we showed that a one-layer atmosphere could produce the observed surface temperature if the atmosphere's emissivity e = .78. If clouds are entirely opaque in the infrared (e = 1), what is the emissivity of the clear atmosphere? We learned previously that the average or bulk emissivity was a spectral average - the result of water vapor being entirely opaque for most wavelengths but close to transparent in the "water vapor window" from roughly 8-12 um. Comment on your answer to part b in light of the emission curve for earth's average surface temperature (288 K).
Transcribed Image Text:Observations from space (including those from the ERBE program) show that, on average, about 60% of the earth's surface is hidden from space by clouds. Assuming that all of earth's average albedo of 0.3 is caused by clouds, what is the reflectivity of the clouds themselves? If you have to make any assumptions please state then explicitly. b. In the second lecture we showed that a one-layer atmosphere could produce the observed surface temperature if the atmosphere's emissivity e = .78. If clouds are entirely opaque in the infrared (e = 1), what is the emissivity of the clear atmosphere? We learned previously that the average or bulk emissivity was a spectral average - the result of water vapor being entirely opaque for most wavelengths but close to transparent in the "water vapor window" from roughly 8-12 um. Comment on your answer to part b in light of the emission curve for earth's average surface temperature (288 K).
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