Conversations with the Earth

Tom Burbinetburbine@framingham.edu

• 11) Equate the energy emitted by the Earth and the energy absorbed by the Earth to determine the energy balance equation

T4 = (S/4)(1-A)

• 12) From the Planetary Energy Balance Formula, calculate what the temperature is equal to?

• T = [(S/4)(1-A)]1/4

• 13) Using the Planetary Energy Balance Equation, what should be the temperature of the Earth?

• S = 1366 W/m2

• A = 0.30 = 5.67 x 10-8 W/(m2 K4)

• 14) The mean surface temperature of the Earth is 288 K, why is the calculated temperature from the Energy Balance equation lower than the real temperature?

Quiz on Thursday• F = T4

• How the energy balance equation works• The solar flux varies inversely by the square of the

distance (1/d2)• Albedo• Convert Kelvin to Celsius• Blackbody curves• Wavelength of Maximum intensity of the blackbody

curve peak 1____ T (K)

• http://www.hulu.com/watch/23343/scientific-american-frontiers-hot-planet-%E2%80%93-cold-comfort

Any Questions?