Using the surface net radiation data from Figure 4 (pg. 10), explain why the min

Question

Using the surface net radiation data from Figure 4 (pg. 10), explain why the minimum temperature occurs when it does. (Note: be sure to use the actual data in your explanation and not just a generic discussion of sunrise and sunset timing) S. 6. a. If you were given only the net radiation data, you might expect the maximum temperature to occur at noon. Why is this not the case? b. Other factors influence temperature besides net radiation. In this example, winds increased in the hour preceding the observed maximum temperature. Hypothesize about how these winds might have influenced the timing of the maximum temperature (i.e., was it sooner or later than if there were no winds?). (Note: think about the mixing of the vertical temperature profile these winds may cause) 8 7. Why does outgoing longwave radiation from the Earth's surface exceed the incoming longwave radiation from the atmosphere in Figures 2 and 3 (pg. 6 and 7, respectively)? (Note: Remember that incoming longwave radiation mainly exists due to outgoing longwave radiation and that there is no body that is a perfect absorber of radiation.)

Explanation / Answer

5) The lowest temperature occurs mostly between 7-8 in the morning because the energy on the surface of the earth and also the air above it radiates into the higher(upper atmosphere). This results in cooling of the lower atmosphere i.e the the air near the surface. This temperature drops even further if the night is much longer.

6) a) At noon the earth's crust is in the process of gettting heated, ie the earth is a a bad conductor of heat. But in two or three hours, the earth's outermost crust gets hot enough it starts radiating out heat onto the surface. This is the reason why the maximum temperature doesn't occur at noon but a couple of hours later.
b) As the temperature increases on the surface, the air on the surface gets hot. The molecules in hot air have more energy and therefore move much faster relative to the cold air in the upper atmosphere.

7) Incoming longwave radiation occurs from outgoing longwave radiation. When outgoing longwave radiation passes through the air and clouds a percentage of it gets reflected back towards the earth atmosphere and this amount is very small compared to the outgoing longwave radiation

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