Just always keep in keep in mind that when the global surface temperature is calculated, the solar constant is divided by four (i.e., 1365 /4 = 341). Throughout this lab you will be seeing two numbers (1365 and 341) being used as the solar radiation at the top of the atmosphere. This value multiplied by four is the solar constant. However, since Earth is a sphere with an area of approximately 5.10 x 10 14 m 2 (the cross-sectional area of Earth is one-fourth this value), the average amount of incoming solar radiation at the top of the atmosphere is approximately 341 W m -2. This value divided by the cross-sectional area of Earth yields the solar constant (approx.
The amount of solar radiation reaching the top of Earth’s is approximately 1.74 x 10 17 W, and this is mostly in the visible portion of the spectrum (see chart below). As you learned in previous lab exercises, the amount of solar radiation reaching the top of the atmosphere is known as the solar constant, and the amount of energy is expressed in Watts per square meter (W m -2). ’) that you provide.Įarth’s surface temperatures are affected by multiple factors, including solar radiation (i.e., solar constant), albedo, and the greenhouse effect. This is a more open- ended question where we will be more interested in the ideas that you propose and the justification (‘I think this because. There is not one certain answer to a question of this type. A question like this will ask you to speculate about why something is the way it is, for instance. Hypothesis-based question → This will be a question which will require you to stretch your mind little bit. There is still an expectation that your answer will match up to a certain response, but you should feel comfortable in expressing your understanding of how these different ideas fit together. Synthesis-based question → This will be a question that will require you to pull together ideas from different places in order to give a complete answer. There is more of an expectation of you providing a certain answer for a question of this type as compared to questions of the other types. That answer will be based on information (1) presented by your instructor, (2) found in background sections, or (3) determined by you from data, graphs, pictures, etc. Those questions will come in three different varieties:įact-based question →This will be a question with a rather clear-cut answer. Throughout this lab you will be asked to answer some questions.
The knowledge you gained in those labs is vitally useful for understanding the topic of this lab: global surface temperature. In the previous labs you have examined solar radiation, the composition of the atmosphere, and the cycling of carbon through Earth’s spheres. This lab has 29 short-answer questions you will answer prior to the three big questions (i.e., research questions) Mila has noted above. Mila is going to introduce the topic, show a fun animation explaining albedo and negative feedback loops, walk you through the Excel temperature model in the lab, and then end her video by reminding you of the three main questions you should be able to answer at the end of the lab. Before beginning the lab, please watch the short video below.
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