earths energy budget

Front

What happens when solar energy hits clouds in Earth's atmosphere?

Back

It can be reflected or absorbed.

Front

What is the range of wavelengths of radiation (including infrared, visible light, and ultraviolet) known as?

Back

The electromagnetic spectrum.

Front

What happens if greenhouse gases increase in our atmosphere?

Back

They trap more heat and global temperatures rise.

Front

What is visible light?

Back

The light you can see from the sun.

Front

What is infrared light?

Back

This is where most of the warmth that you feel from the sun comes from.

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 is the greenhouse effect?

Back

The process by which greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to a warming effect.

Front

What are greenhouse gases?

Back

Gases in the atmosphere that can absorb and emit infrared radiation, such as carbon dioxide and methane.

Front

What is solar radiation?

Back

Energy emitted by the sun, primarily in the form of visible light and infrared radiation.

Front

What is albedo?

Back

The measure of how much sunlight is reflected by a surface, with higher values indicating more reflection.