Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 4: Problem 11

In terms of surface energy balance, explain the term net radiation \((N E T R)\).

Short Answer

Expert verified
Net radiation, a vital concept in surface energy balance, is the difference between incoming and outgoing energy at the Earth's surface. It includes both solar (shortwave) and terrestrial (longwave) radiation, reflecting the balance between absorbed and emitted energy. A positive net radiation means more energy is absorbed than emitted, and vice versa.

Step by step solution

01

Defining Net Radiation

Net radiation (NETR) is the sum of incoming and outgoing radiations at the Earth’s surface. It measures the balance between the energy absorbed and emitted by the surface. If more energy is absorbed than emitted, the net radiation is positive. If more energy is emitted than absorbed, the net radiation is negative.
02

Components of Net Radiation

NETR includes both shortwave and longwave radiation. Shortwave radiation is the incoming solar radiation. Part of it is reflected back into space and the rest is absorbed by the Earth. Longwave radiation is the terrestrial or earth-emitted radiation. It also includes the radiation emitted by the atmosphere that returns to the Earth's surface.
03

Calculating Net Radiation

Net radiation is calculated by subtracting the outgoing reflected and emitted radiation from the incoming absorbed radiation. Mathematically, it can be represented as follows: \[NETR = (Incoming shortwave radiation - Reflected shortwave radiation) + (Incoming longwave radiation - Emitted longwave radiation).\]

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

What are the expenditure pathways for surface net radiation? What kind of work is accomplished?

What are the similarities and differences between an actuz greenhouse and the gaseous atmospheric greenhouse? Why is Earth's greenhouse effect changing?

What role do clouds play in the Earth-atmosphere radiation balance? Is cloud type important? Compare high, thin cirrus clouds and lower, thick stratus clouds.

What is the role played by latent heat in surface energy budgets?

What is the basis for the urban heat island concept? Describe the climatic effects attributable to urban as compared with nonurban environments.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Geography Textbooks

Health And Human Rights

Read Explanation

Living With The Physical Environment

Read Explanation

Superpowers of the World

Read Explanation

Globalisation

Read Explanation

River Landscapes

Read Explanation

Geographical Skills

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free