Earth's Energy Budget

Front

What happens when solar energy hits the Earth?

Back

It can be reflected by light colored surfaces like ice.

Front

What is visible light?

Back

The light you can see from the sun.

Front

How does the sun transfer energy to Earth?

Back

By radiation.

Front

What is the equation that represents Earth's energy budget?

Back

Energy in = energy out.

Front

What form of radiation is heat radiated back to space from Earth?

Back

Infrared radiation.

Front

What is Earth's energy budget?

Back

The balance between the energy Earth receives from the sun and the energy it radiates back into space.

Front

What are the main components of Earth's energy budget?

Back

Solar radiation, reflection, absorption, and emission.

Front

What role does the atmosphere play in Earth's energy budget?

Back

It traps some of the outgoing infrared radiation, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Front

What is the greenhouse effect?

Back

The warming of Earth’s surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Front

What is albedo?

Back

The measure of how much light that hits a surface is reflected without being absorbed.