Explain this figure please Incoming Solar Radiation 341.3 W/m2 239 Outgoing Long
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Explain this figure please
Incoming Solar Radiation 341.3 W/m2 239 Outgoing Longwave Radiation 102 Reflected Solar 341 Radiation 101.9 W/m2 238.5 W/m Energy Reflected by Clouds and Atmosphere 79 Budget 79 40 Atmospheric Window Emitted by Atmosphere This figure represents the global annual mean Earth's energy 69/ 30 Greenhouse budget for the March Absorbed by 78 Atmosphere Latent 17 80 Heat 2000 to May 2004 period in W/m2. The broad arrows indicate the schematic flow of energy in proportion to their importance. Gases 40 Reflected by 356 Surface 23 Back Radiation (modified from Kiehl and Trenberth, 1997) 396 Surface 161 Absorbed by Surface 17 80 Thermals Evapo- Radiation Absorbed by transpiration Surface EARTH Net absorbed 0.9W/Explanation / Answer
The figure shows a description of energy flow in the universe between the source of energy generation and the consumption by various modes of transmission. In order to understand the figure, the uni-directional flow must be seen at a time.
Consider that first absorption of energy is understood first. The figure clearly shows that a very huge amount of energy is generated by the source and transmitted towards the surface of the earth. However, as this energy traverses through the universe, loss of energy takes place and only a fraction of energy is able to reach the surface of earth effectively after a long period of time. This energy is absorbed the the surface of earth by means of its layers of atmosphere. However, a small fraction of energy is also reflected back by the earth. This suggests that out of the huge volume of energy transmitted towards the surface of earth, only a small fraction is effectively able to reach the surface of the earth.
Secondarily, the energy reached at the surface of earth is not completely utilized, hence, a fraction of it is always reflected back to the source medium. Here, it can be clearly seen that reflection and radiation of energy remain the main source of transmission by which energy is re-emitted from the surface of earth. Radiation remains the primary source of energy reflection which also generates green-house effect in the atmosphere of the earth. Finally, a small fraction of this energy is finally able to reach the outer surface beyond the atmospheric portion of earth back in the space.
Collectively, this image is a comprehensive representation of qualitative and quantitative demonstration of flow of energy at the earth between the surface of earth and the atmosphere where role of different components is also crucially demonstrated.
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