Activity 4: Earth's radiation balance

Moritz Strähle and Dr. Cecilia Scorza
Status: Mar 2023
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While the earth is constantly irradiated by the sun, the earth also emits energy again in the form of thermal radiation - it is in radiation equilibrium. Without the atmosphere, however, the equilibrium temperature at which radiation equilibrium occurs would be about -18 °C. It is the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that ensure life-friendly temperatures on Earth. However, if their concentration continues to rise, it will also become warmer and warmer on Earth.

  1. Part: What would be the average temperature on an earth without atmosphere?
  2. Part: What temperature on earth is caused by the natural greenhouse effect?

ACTIVITY MATERIALS

 

h5p-study units for the activity:

More materials like h5p-study units, videos and animations with Module - The Greenhouse effect and the radiative Equilibrium.

Ausgearbeitete Lerneinheiten:

Gymnasium

Realschule

Mute Video: Earth radiation balance

Technical questions and didactic comments