ATMOSPHERIC ENERGETICS:

ENERGY BUDGETS

To explain the atmospheric effect ("greenhouse effect") and identify the gases chiefly responsible for this effect.
To identify locales of heat imbalance within the earth-atmosphere system.
To describe the mechanisms of poleward heat transport operating within the earth-atmosphere system.
To identify the major energy conversion processes that occur within the atmosphere.
To distinguish between radiational controls and air mass controls of air temperature.
To describe the significance of surface characteristics for air temperature.
To recognize the influence of the major controls of temperature upon the world temperature distribution.
To list and explain the factors that contribute to the differential heating and cooling of land and water.
To distinguish between a continental climate and a maritime climate.
To explain how solar altitude influences the intensity of solar radiation received at the earth's surface.
To describe the interactions that take place as solar radiation travels through the atmosphere and reaches the earth's surface.
To elaborate on the significance of the oceans in the planetary energy budget.

Energy budget philosophy
Planetary annual energy budget
- Short wave components
- Long wave components
- Non radiative components
Local energy budgets
- Annual
- Diurnal

Last revision 16 September 1997

Produced by Edward J. Hopkins, Ph.D.

Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 53706

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