1) Given a planetary albedo of 30% and using a 1 atmospheric layer energy balanc

Question

1) Given a planetary albedo of 30% and using a 1 atmospheric layer energy balance model for the earth, calculate what fraction of out-going long-wave radiation emitted by the earth is absorbed by the atmospheric layer in order to have the observed earth temperature of 288K. (Ignore convective and latent heat fluxes and assume that all non-reflected solar radiation is absorbed by the earth).

1a) Calculate the total rate of longwave radiation emitted by the atmospheric layer of the earth (using the above model and assume it's 5 km above the earth's surface) and compare that to the total global production of electricity.

1b) Greenhouse effect: assume that the absorption of long-wave radiation
by the atmosphere is increased by 10%. What is the temperature of
the earth now? What other key processes would modify this result?

1c) A long time ago, the earth's sun was 85% as strong as present, and
yet the earth was no colder than today. What long-wave absorption rate
would have been required by a 1 layer atmosphere to maintain present-day
temperature (288K)? Interpret your result (What could have changed the
absorption rate?,...).

Explanation / Answer

1)  L = T4

= 30% = 0.3

= 5.670373×10-8 W m-2 K-4

T = 288 K

= 0.3 *  5.670373×10-8 W m-2 K-4 * (288 K)4 =117.03 W/m2

Global Electricity Generation = 24,000 TWh = 24 * 1015 Wh

205.12 * 1012 m2 area will be needed to have the same longwave radiation emission as global electricity generation. Earth has 510.1 trillion m² total area consider half will be eluminated at one time it will be 255 * 1018 m2

Please ask rest of the questions in separate questionnaire.

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