the percentage of visable light reflected by an object or substance from the earth.
Specular Reflection
when light strikes an object and it is refleted back as a beam of equal intensity. Like a miror
Diffuse Reflection or Scattering
when a beam is reflected from an object as a larger number of weaker rays traveling in many different directions. When scattering occurs you cannot see an image of yourself on the reflecting surface.
Diffuse Radiation
scattered radiation that is also redirected toward the earth's surface
Direct Radiation
radiation that reaches the earths surface that is not scattered.
Rayleigh Scattering
involves gases, smaller than insolation wavelength. Scatters light in all directions. Most effective on short wavelengths. Explains blue sky and orange sunsets.
Mie Scattering
involves aerosols, larger than gas molecules. Foreward scatter. Equally effective across visible spectrum. Explains hazy, gray days. Refelcts ALL colors of light
Non-selective Scattering
water droplets in clouds. clouds appear gray or white.
Atmospheric Window
range of wavelengths, not readily absorbed by atmospheric gases. Represents a certain range of wavelenths of special importance to the radiation balance.
Latent Heat
the energy required to change the phase of a substane. like a solid liquid or gas.
Greenhouse Effect
like glass, in that it is transparent to incoming shortwave radiation but opaque to outgoing longwave radiation. Therefore it allows in more radiation than is allowed to escape causing the temperature to increase.
Isotherm
lines on a map that show equal temperature.
Influences on Temperature (KNOW THIS)
1. Latitude2. Altitude3. Atmospheric Circulation Patterns4. Contrasts Between Land and Water