EPISODE · Dec 31, 2010 · 3 MIN
Climate #3: Blocking Thermal Radiation
from Everyday Science · host PSD10 and Little Shop of Physics
How does the atmosphere affect thermal radiation? Well, for one thing, it can block it, trapping heat below. But when we have a cold, cloudless night sky, what happens to the thermal radiation? The two atmospheric elements which block heat -- water droplets (clouds) and carbon dioxide -- are not blocking the radiation as much. So, the cold night sky allows the thermal radiation to pass, cooling the surface of the planet.
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Climate #3: Blocking Thermal Radiation
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